DNB Newsletter - August 2009

> Downtown Beat 10th Anniversary
> 4th annual New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival
> Focus on marketing: Travessia Urban Winery
> Summer Events at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
> Pirates on the Bay begins harbor tours
> Ocean Explorium Holds Grand Opening
> Downtown Forum Summary
> Stop in at Navio
> Help Wanted!
> Ginger Grill
> “Adopt a Spot” Campaign
> Downtown Beats

The Downtown Beat celebrated its tenth birthday this June. That’s ten years of publishing good news about downtown New Bedford and ten years of watching the city progress, maybe not as quickly as we hope—nothing ever does—but certainly at a determined, forward looking and steady pace that looks quicker in retrospect than it does as it happens.
 
The Downtown Beat had its origins in a community commitment made by then publisher of the Standard-Times Orren Robbins at least 15 years ago. The Standard-Times offered the North End Business Association, South End Business Association and Downtown New Bedford, Inc. 600 words of free advertising space on a rotating schedule. The rules were that the news had to be positive and that the person writing the news, me, had to be paid. (I liked that rule.)  The Standard-Times column evolved into the Downtown Beat in the summer of 1999.
 
The very good news is that in fifteen years of writing good news about New Bedford, we have never once struggled for topics. We have never said, “Can’t publish this time. No good news.” There is always good news about New Bedford.
 
In fifteen years of writing about New Bedford I have learned that it is a very fortunate city. It has people who care deeply about it, a large number of volunteers that can be counted on to do almost anything, even pick up trash on the street. We have an expanding arts community and business, non-profit, education and government communities that know the strength of cooperation.
 
After fifteen years of writing about downtown New Bedford, I am retiring from the Downtown Beat as a writer and editor, effective December 31, or before if anyone is interested in taking it over. I will keep photographing events for at least a while.
 
I have written some stories many times over. I wrote about the 4th Annual Gala in a Standard-Times column. I wrote about the 18th  Gala in the March 2009 issue. That means I wrote about the 5th, the 6th, the 7th and so on, always striving for a fresh point of view. Someone out there will have that fresh point of view for the 19th Annual Gala.
 
There is a lot I will miss. My favorite stories have been about our own people. I have enjoyed talking to so many people I would never have met otherwise. I have especially enjoyed the people who have received awards. They are deeply committed to the city.  It’s the same for the entrepreneurs whether they have been here over 60 years and passed their businesses from generation to generation like Carter’s, Hiller Printing and Converse Photo or are comparatively new to the scene like TL6 The Gallery, Solstice, Navio and so many others.
 
I will miss the opportunity to report on events. My favorites include the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Star Store Building in 2001, the ribbon cutting ceremony for Union Street Lofts in 2006, having a press pass to watch the candidates for governor debate at UMass before the last election and having a press pass for Bioneers by the Bay last summer. I get a big kick out of having press passes for our tiny publication. The May 16, 2008 opening of the Corson Marine Learning Center also stands out. It was Senator Ted Kennedy’s last public appearance before his seizure, and I had the same access to a good viewpoint as any other media person there. I enjoyed trying to meet Governor Duval Patrick on Jeff Pontiff’s harbor tour boat last summer. The governor didn’t arrive, but the chase was fun.
 
I am proud that we done a newsletter that goes beyond press releases. I am also proud that we were leaders in on-line publishing.  
 
I was thinking I would miss the opportunity to walk into just about any business and talk to business owners about one thing and another. Then I realized that I would still be able to do that. That’s something everyone can do.  It’s one of the great strengths and charms of our downtown that people are so accessible. Anyone can talk to Elaine Lima, to Jann Macomber, to Steve Carter, to John Magnan, to Arthur and Cheryl Moniz, to Arthur and Jean Bennett and so many others.
 
Throughout all these years I have had the pleasure of working with great people. Marianne Conley Hodgson has been as much a part of the newsletter as I have. She provides the backbone, story suggestions, e-mail addresses and phone numbers, sometimes more than once. She has done endless fact checking and proofreading. Beside that she provides a large dose of friendship. I have known Orren Robbins almost as long as Marianne, and he deserves credit as the originator of both the Standard-Times column and the Downtown Beat. Arthur Bennett was at the first newsletter committee meeting I attended, probably twelve or thirteen years ago. He is an invaluable proof reader and editor. No matter what you give him, it will be better when he gives it back. Diane Nichols is an absolutely top notch leader, the perfect person to bring DNB, Inc. to the next level of success. When Kevin Pelland became President of DNB, Inc. one of his goals was for city organizations and businesses to work more closely together. That goal has been attained, and Kevin continues to work diligently to keep including more stakeholders and to make sure we don’t lose ground. My husband Bruce has been more than patient when DNB, Inc. chores took me out of the office or tied up the phone.
 
I got involved with Downtown New Bedford, Inc. by raising my hand and volunteering for a newsletter committee when Downtown New Bedford, Inc. was a very young organization. I would urge anyone who is sitting on the fence about whether to volunteer or not to put your hand up and start somewhere. You don’t know where it will lead.
 
I am hoping before December that I will get a chance to photograph and interview President Obama—after all he will be nearby on Martha’s Vineyard, and he could drop by in downtown New Bedford. I would also like to see Warren Buffet as a speaker at our annual meeting. He used to stop by and talk to downtowners when he was in town. I would like to see Meredith Vieira host the Today Show from Custom House Square—she too has local ties. But if those things don’t happen, I will retire happily anyway.
 
These are some of the kinds of stories we have covered in the Downtown Beat:
 
Stories about businesses, new and time tested:
Artificial Marketplace, On a Roll, Partridge Snow and Hawn, Café Balena, TL6 The Gallery, Salon Lola, Café Arpeggio, Green Bean, Calico, No Problemo, Colo Colo Gallery, Carter’s, White Bouquet, Elaine’s (several times), Crowell’s (several time), Celia’s, Vetu, Moby Dick Retail – the list goes on and on.
 
Many stories about building renovations:
Cherry Building, The Star Store campus of UMass, Standard-Times Building, Union Street Lofts, Hudner Building, Hathaway Building, Standard-Times Building, Corson Building, 42 North Water Street, Cummings Building, John M. Foster Building (home of Arthur Moniz Gallery), expansion of the Whaling Museum, opening of the Whaling National Park Visitor Center. In the past ten years millions and millions of dollars of reconstruction projects have been completed.
 
Stories about downtown events, some our own, some sponsored by others:
The Restaurant Run, Bioneers by the Bay, The Taste of Southcoast, The Chowder Festival, The Holiday Stroll, Summerfest, The Working Waterfront Festival. The ten year success of AHA!  These events bring thousands and thousands of people into downtown New Bedford.
 
If the progress of the next ten years in New Bedford is anything like the past ten it will be both awesome and fun to watch.

Downtown New Bedford Inc. and Hygrade Seafood are proud sponsors of the
4th annual New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival
September 13 Noon to 4:00 pm

The restaurants are already sighing up. Some are Chowder Festival veterans. Some are newcomers. They know they will benefit all year long from exposure to thousands of people who attend this event.
 
The lobsters are jogging to prepare for the lobster races in Carter’s parking lot, a new event at the Chowder Festival. The lobster races, similar to those that are held annually on the 4th of July in Bar Harbor, will benefit the YMCA.
 
Great items have been donated for the Yankee auction. Proceeds from the auction will provide publicity for such events as the Holiday Stroll and the Restaurant Run.
 
The volunteer list is shaping up, but we always need more. The Events Committee is in high gear planning to add to this signature event.
 
On Sunday, September 13, noon to 4:00 pm, rain or shine, it’s Chowder Festival time again. The Chowder Festival features restaurants from throughout the area present the best tasting clam chowder, seafood chowder, kale soup and stuffed quahogs that can be found anywhere. A professional Judging Panel uses a blind taste test method to select the top award winners, and the People's Choice award is decided by the votes of the ticket holders. Prizes include $500 for Chowder - $250 for Kale Soup and $250 for Stuffed Qhahog  - and don't forget “Bragging Rights!”
 
Who's invited: Everyone!
What: Chowder, Kale Soup, stuffed quahogs and much more!!
Musical entertainment by The Relics and Shipyard Wreck, local beers, wines and soft drinks; children's craft activities.  NEW Lobster Races and a Yankee Auction.
Where:  Custom House Square in Downtown New Bedford, under a very big tent.
When:  Sunday, September, 13th 2009, from Noon – 4pm, rain or shine.
Admission:  Adults $15 at the gate - $10 in advance. Children 6-12 years $5. Free for 5 and younger.
 
For information on restaurant participation or tickets, call the DNB, Inc. office at 508-990-2777 or e-mail us at dbn@downtownnb.org
 
Additional sponsors to date include:  
City of New Bedford, Aarsheim Fishing Corp., Citizens Union Savings Bank, Coastal Orthopaedics, Dias Lapalme & Martin, Norport Inc., Partridge Snow & Hahn,  Rosenfield, Raymon & Pielech, PC , Webster Bank.
 
There is still time to sign up.
 
Partnership levels and benefits are as follows:
 
Sponsorship Opportunities
 
Title Sponsor - $5,000

• 60 Admission Tickets
• Company logo featured and designed into all print advertising, posters & cover of program
• Full page ad on back of Program Guide
• Continuous mentions in all broadcast media promotions
• Company name and logo featured on “Sponsors” banner (by DNB, Inc.) displayed in main tent
• Company supplied (2) banners hung in prime locations during event
• Company name & logo featured on all posters located at all ticket sales locations and throughout downtown
• Listing, logo and link featured on DNB, Inc. website
   

Title Sponsor - $5,000

• 10 Admission Tickets per $1,000 increment
• Half page ad in the Program Guide
• Company listing and logo in all print advertisements
• Company supplied banner hung in strategic location during event
• Company name and logo on “Sponsors” banner (by DNB) displayed in main tent
• Company name and logo on all posters located at all ticket locations and throughout downtown
• Listing, logo and link featured on DNB, Inc. website
   

Platinum Sponsor - $1,000~$4,999

• 4 Admission Tickets
• Quarter page ad in the Program Guide
• Company listing and logo in all print advertisements
• Company supplied banner hung inside tent
• Company name and logo on “Sponsors” banner (by DNB) displayed in main tent
• Company name and logo on all posters located at all ticket locations and throughout downtown
• Listing on DNB, Inc. website
• Listing on the Thank You page of the Program Guide

Gold Sponsor - $500

• Listing on the Thank You page of the Program Guide & on site signs

Silver Sponsor - Any Amount Below $500

• Listing on the Thank You page of the Program Guide & on site signs

Associate Ticket Promotion Sponsor

• For every 10 tickets purchased - receive 2 free! Treat your employees and customers to a great event
• Listing on DNB, Inc. website
• Listing and logo in Program Guide
• Company name and logo displayed on “Associate Sponsor” banner (by DNB, Inc.) displayed at the event.

Focus on marketing: Travessia Urban Winery builds a recognizable brand in less than a year

Remember the signs in the window of the Bristol Building that said Travessia, the urban winery, was “coming soon?” It took a long time to iron out all of the regulatory details that go with opening a winery, but in less than a year since it opened last December, Travessia has become a well recognized local label. They have just launched a wine club.

We see Travessia at events—at the Taste Of Southcoast, at Kate Levin’s opening events in Crowell’s, on AHA! Nights.  
 
So we decided to ask owner Marco Montez how he has a gone from a brand new and unknown business to one with a familiar name in such a short period of time.
 
There is a lot more to it than opening a shop and hoping for good foot traffic and word of mouth. It turns out he is using time intensive but dollar inexpensive marketing tools common to many of the new entrepreneurs in downtown New Bedford. He is on Face Book. He is on Twitter and other sites. He has a website. He has a blog.  He has a quarterly newsletter. He knows many downtown business owners in person, and they can cross refer.
 
But beyond that, he is putting in the feet on the street time to develop a following. At Taste Of Southcoast, for example, by rotating with an employee he was able to keep the Purchase Street shop open while at the same time offering wine at Taste Of Southcoast. While the event was in progress and for a time after it closed, he offered a 10% in store discount to people with wrist bands. That was a simple but effective way to expose more people to the label.
 
Here is how Marco answered some of our specific questions:
 
What gave you the idea for your own winery?
“I grew up in the North of Portugal in a small village of about 1,000 people.  We had vineyards all over, and as a kid I helped during harvest/crush time. By the time I was ten my dad was pouring me small portions of wine (often watered down with 7UP) at the dinner table.  So, wine was naturally part of my life from early on.”
 
Why New Bedford?
“I’ve lived in New Bedford or in the surrounding area since I moved to the US, so this is home. Moreover, despite the considerable improvement in downtown business activity, it’s still possible to lease a space for a reasonable cost.”
 
How did you develop your name? Label design?
“The word Travessia is Portuguese for “passage” or “journey” which fits well with New Bedford’s history and my own personal life. The label design is part of the image that mediumstudio and I developed for Travessia.”

What steps you have taken to develop your own brand?
“Well, I think that every brand begins with a quality product and service. So, most of my energy is geared towards the quality of the wine that Travessia is producing. Then it’s about communicating our story and what we stand for. That’s when all the collateral comes in. Website, brochures, labels, advertising, direct marketing via email, my blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. These are all tools that I use to establish the Travessia brand.  We’ve also done a lot of tasting events all over the place, which helps us reach new potential customers by interacting with them directly.”
 
Anything else our readers might find interesting or helpful in building their own brands. People seem to often be at sea about marketing.
“The world of marketing has changed rapidly in the last three years. A lot of people think marketing is advertisement on a magazine or newspaper. It’s not. That’s just part of the puzzle. Besides, quite frankly I find it that the return on investment in advertisement is ridiculously small. I’ve gotten much better results by interacting directly with people via my blog, Facebook page, Twitter, etc. These tools allow me to have a conversation directly with my customers or potential customers. You simply cannot do this with an ad, even if it’s a full page in the hottest local magazine. Besides, the people who will be buying my product now and in the future are not reading magazines and newspapers.  They are on social networks which, by the way, are free to use. They just require a little of your time each day.”  
 
I thought it was interesting that you had a discount in your shop for people with event wrist bands during Taste Of Southcoast.  
“That was a no-brainer. It’s obvious that if there is an event downtown that interests me, I need a way to invite people to come to my winery. Just being open is not enough… You must go get them. It’s a lot of work, but at the end of the day, that’s what business is like… a lot of work, patience, focus, and continuous improvement. Oh yeah, and have fun while doing all of this… People don’t like to buy from complainers.”

Summer Events at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
396 County Street

Enjoy ice cream and root beer floats in the gardens and test your skills at some old-fashioned fun and backyard games at our Second Annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 9th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Remember the hoola hoop? Well times have changed and so have the hoops! Shenandoah, owner of Alotta Hoopla, currently makes hoops that are bigger, weighted, and easier to use than their predecessors of the 1950's. The hoops will be for sale, so if you find the perfect fit you can purchase one for endless fun and energetic exercise. Enjoy beanbag toss games and blongo in the gardens. The fee for the Ice Cream Social and activities is $5 per person (ice cream included!)

The Museum’s Thursday, August 13th AHA Evening features a walking tour of historic Seventh Street in conjunction with the New Bedford Preservation Society. In addition, the Museum invites the public to tour the Museum and view “In One Generation: Paul Cuffe, A Man Without Peer.” In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the births of both Paul Cuffe and William Rotch Jr. the RJD presents this special exhibit that runs through November 1st. William Rotch Jr. was born into an immensely successful entrepreneurial family, while African American Paul Cuffe’s father was born a slave. Individually they had a profound influence on this country, and together they shared a long and enduring friendship. The evening’s AHA! programs are offered free of charge.

Please join us for a concert by the renowned Colonial Brass, the brass ensemble of the Band of Liberty on Friday August 28th at 7:30 pm. This six-piece group utilizes a wide repertoire of music from Bach to Sousa to Miles Davis. They have appeared at prestigious venues such as the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), and the New York Brass Conference. Whether playing for children in schools, recital halls, or in the town band stand on a summer evening, the Colonial Brass is sure to dazzle and delight audiences of all ages with their wit and artistry. There is no fee for this concert.

Pirates on the Bay begins harbor tours

“Pirates of the Bay", a new waterfront business that will offer harbor tours for children and families on a 26-foot pirate boat named the White Pearl.  Outfitted with six water cannons and decorated with a pirate ship- themed mural on its exterior, the White Pearl is designed for adventures.  Entrepreneurs Gayle and John Verissimo began operating their new business on July 4th, 2009.  They have entered into agreement with the Harbor Development Commission (HDC) to run their operation off City docks right next to Jeff Pontiff’s Whaling City Expeditions.
 
"We are pleased to partner with these innovative, local entrepreneurs and to welcome a new, affordable recreational opportunity to the families of New Bedford and our visitors. Pirates of the Bay will create a fun and educational way for families to experience our waterfront, one of the City's greatest resources,” said Mayor Scott W. Lang.

Children will sing-along to pirate songs as they depart for a 30-40 minute excursion in search of sunken treasure.  With treasure maps in hand, children will meet live sea creatures, and will learn clues that will help them in the search for buried treasure as the White Pearl makes its way around the harbor.  They will also have an opportunity to shoot one of the ship’s six water cannons.

Pirates of the Bay operates out of New Bedford and Fairhaven, starting at eleven and running through six at the top of each hour.

"We are excited to see a new business in New Bedford Harbor that promises to draw people to the waterfront and create a new economic stimulus for the City," stated Kristin Decas, Executive Director of the HDC. The fee for each excursion is $12, $10 if children present a report card with B’s or better. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid license or ID.

The cruises are evolving as the operators find out what delights the passengers the most. Jolly Joe is now driving his own boat and means business...so everyone should be prepared to get wet!

Visit www.piratesofthebaywhitepearl.com for more information.

Ocean Explorium Holds Grand Opening
www.oceanexplorium.org

The live exhibit tanks are in. The summer workshops are going strong. Science on a Sphere has already reached thousands. On 4th of July weekend 600 people went through the Explorium, and a regular weekday can bring as many as 275. Since Science on a Shere opened, the Explorium has reached thirty one thousand learners.
 
The Ocean Explorium is quickly establishing itself as a place to be with young children but just as fascinating for older folks too. It is especially helpful in this rainy, dreary summer that downtown New Bedford has a new place to bring children who complain, “There’s nothing to do.” Most of them won’t want to go just once.
 
The Explorium is open seven days a week, 10:00 – 4:00 and it is free on AHA! nights.
 
The grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony was July 15.
 
Mayor Scott Lang spoke about the tremendous learning and educational entertainment value of the Explorium where you can spend hours and hours in a state of relaxed learning and concentration.
 
“We are lucky to have Director Mark Smith,” he said. “He is the best and the brightest.” He trusted that this project could be done and that great things would happen.
 
UMass Chancellor Jean MacCormack called the Explorium a cornerstone which matches well with the Whaling Museum, the art galleries, restaurants and zoo. She has a vision of the roll the university can play in this community that has lived by and from the sea for so long and is looking forward to watching the next generation of young people learn to love science. She urged the audience to come back more than once. “Come for the programs,” she said, “or come to hear Mark’s (Australian) accent.”
 
As the speakers talked about the Ocean Explorium, there was a most reassuring hum of background noise--the hum of children’s voices and adults too as they were completely engaged and absorbed by their activities and by watching the coral and fish tanks.

Downtown Forum Summary
At the Downtown Forum on July 29, DNB, Inc., held at Hibernia Pub, President Kevin Pelland said, “These are difficult times. We have to lean on each other and be positive. Everyone has an effect, negative or positive. Choose to be positive and make downtown better.”
 
Along those lines, the topics discussed, which also appear elsewhere in the Downtown Beat, included:
 
Summerfest: Survey results.
Suggestions for improvement and suggestions for an event to be coordinated by DNB, Inc. similar to the Restaurant Run or the Holiday Stroll to bring more people into the shops during Summerfest. Kevin commented that this would be a relatively easy fix, but it would take money.
 
The Chowder Festival:
Changes for this year, including the lobster race and the silent auction to raise money for unified downtown marketing. More to come on this topic in the September Downtown Beat.
 
The progress of Adopt a Spot, coordinated by Downtown New Bedford, Inc. and Operation Cleansweep.
The program is developing a logo, and people are signing up. Since its inception, hundreds of Operation Cleansweep volunteers have put in thousands of volunteer hours and have picked up forty tons of trash, and the welcome this collaborative effort with DNB, Inc.
 
Downtown Safety:
Arthur Bennett reminded the group of the weekly safety meetings at 9:00 in the DNB, Inc. office

Stop in at Navio
65 William St, former home of Pegasus

Charlie Barmonde, left, Seth Rainville, right

As you enter Navio, you are sure to be drawn to something. Maybe the John Magnan pieces. If John Magnan’s work is there, that’s an automatic statement of quality that makes the rest of the shop worthy of extra attention. Maybe it’s the metallic prints of Arthur Levi Rainville, well known photographer and father of gallery founder Seth Rainville who, along with partner Charlie Barmonde has started this artist’s collective. Maybe it’s the ceramics by Seth or Charlie or maybe the way the light moves through the well displayed glass pieces. No matter what your taste is, it would be hard not to be drawn by something.
 
Seth and Charlie want to make Navio a destination for collectors of artisanry. Artisanry turns out to be a little difficult to define. The dictionary calls it the work or atrisans. Seth and Charlie call it “not fine art.”  They will have wood works, metal, photography, ceramics, pottery, glass and other works that fit the mix.
 
It would be wrong to think of this gallery as an artist’s cooperative. It’s not. It’s a hybrid business model established by Seth and Charlie themselves, based on what they think is a feasible way to show and sell high quality work of a variety of artists, established and new. Their concepts were crafted after many conversations and are based on their own experiences as working artists.
 
The gallery has six founding members who pay to belong. They are successful artists in their own right and are happy to turn some of the selling of their work over to someone else.
 
They also have consignment artists who are paid a very competitive commission. They are not just any consignment artists but rather artists whose work passes the “sniff test” for work that would go well with the original six. The six are:
 
Chris Gustin - South Dartmouth (Ceramics)
Arthur Levi Rainville - New Bedford (Photography)
David Jusseaume - Westport (Glass)
John Magnan - New Bedford (Wood Sculpture)
Charlie Barmonde - Little Compton RI (Ceramics)
Seth J.Rainville - New Bedford (Ceramics)

The consignment artists are

Harmony Jusseaume - Jewelry
Kim O'Brien - Jewelry
Joe McCaffrey - Ceramics
Elin Noble Antonsen - Textiles
John Oles - Ceramics
Jim Lawton - Ceramics
Cory Roth - Lure Maker
Rhonda Fazio - Textiles
 
Navio adds another stop to what is now being called “Arts on Acushnet.”  Arts on Acushnet includes Crowell’s and Artworks.  Watch for joint events as they band together to bring more people into these high quality shops.
 
Don Hoagland, who had his previously had his shop Pagasus at this location, is now working from his home studio on 7th Street.
 
This is a perfect transition for the shop which was originally N.P. Hayes Hardware Store. The building has been lovingly restored by daughter Annie Hayes. Now, with the opening of Navio, it has gone from a home to one quality artist to a home for many. Nothing could be better.

Help Wanted!
Newsletter writer for the Downtown Beat, the monthly online newsletter of Downtown New Bedford, Inc.
 
Starting date: Mid December 2009 or before
 
Job requirements:
Curiosity bordering on nosiness
Ability to write economically
Editing skills
Ability to meet deadlines, work with others, be patient and persistent
Genuine enjoyment of the downtown community.
 
Call Downtown New Bedford, Inc. for more information. (508) 997-1716

Ginger Grill
778 Purchase Street
 
It may be that the Ginger Grill will be open as you read this. If not, the opening will be very soon. The Ginger Grill specializes in Korean dishes, modified a bit to keep the cost down and to please the American palette.
 
The specialty will be grilled beef short ribs marinated in a special sauce.
There will be a similar chicken dish, each served with Korean small grain rice. They will also have vegetarian and pasta dishes. Their chef has many years of restaurant experience.
 
Ginger Grill is owned by Jay Ghim, aided by son J.T. Ghim. Jay Ghim has been planning this restaurant for two or three years and was part owner of a Korean restaurant in New Jersey. He was inspired to start a Korean restaurant in downtown New Bedford to increase the diversity of available lunch selections. Prices are modest, $5.00 - $10.00.
 
They will be open 10:30 – 3:30 weekdays and have weekend dinners. They may expand to weekday dinners later on.
 
They are hoping to draw from the student and business community.
 
If it is already open, give it a try. If it isn’t open, watch for news of the opening.

Downtown New Bedford, Inc. Announces “Adopt a Spot” Campaign
 
By Diane Arsenault Nichols
Downtown New Bedford, Inc.
Ph: 508-990-2777
Fax: 508-997-7969
Email: dnichols@downtownb.org

New Bedford, MA -  Downtown New Bedford, Inc. announces a new partnership with Operation Clean Sweep, an anti-litter campaign supported by the City of New Bedford.  The campaign encourages and recognizes  “Downtowners” who help keep their streets and sidewalks clean and litter-free by adopting a spot on the downtown  map and signing on to keep it clean.
 
Diane Nichols, DNB, Inc's Executive Director, explained that “In these troubled economic times, with cutbacks in all city departments, it’s up to us - the people who work and live downtown - to take on some of the responsibility for keeping our sidewalks and streets clean”. Operation Clean Sweep, with its scores of volunteers, does a great job throughout the city on its scheduled clean-up days.  
 
What we need downtown is an ongoing, day-to-day effort. Several Downtowners already work regularly at keeping their areas clean. Please let us know if you are one of those pro-active citizens who are making the effort to keep your “spot” clean, and we can then add your adopted area to the map.  To date the following people are being recognized for their efforts: Arthur Bennett, Kelly Carvalho, Elaine Lima, Cheryl Moniz, Diane Arsenault Nichols,  Anna Pax,  Jeff Pontiff, Sally Spooner.  We hope to get everyone involved.
 
Indifference and laziness contribute to the litter problem.  As we rush to work each day, small things like discarded candy wrappers or coffee cups can be barely visible to us.  We are focused on the day ahead.  Tourists and visitors see things differently. They come with eyes wide open, eager to drink in every detail.  A clean city is much more inviting.  Weeds also create the perfect resting ground for trash, so take a look around your area and uproot the weeds where you can, taking care to wear gloves as you weed.

Downtown New Bedford, Inc. and Operation Clean Sweep will work together to encourage Downtowners to adopt a spot near their business or home and pledge to keep it neat and presentable for the remainder of the year. Anne Whiting, Business Outreach Coordinator of OCS, will provide Certificates of Adoption to those who commit to their “spot.”

For additional  information, contact Downtown New Bedford Inc at 508-990-2777 or e-mail dnb@downtownnb.org.

Downtown Beats

Welcome New Members!
Café’ Arpeggio
Tomlinson & O’Neil Insurance Agency, Inc.

DNB, Inc. is on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to go to Twitter or Facebook.

Laurel Fund balance is increasing.
We are working hard to make sure the downtown lampposts have laurel this holiday season. Laurel Lady Marianne Conley Hogdson reports that the balance from donations is increasing, but we are still a distance away from the goal of raising 100% of the money needed to fund. If you want to make a contributions, send a check to Downtown New Bedford, Inc. and mark the memo section “laurel.” This is a tax deductible contribution.

Artificial Marketplace - New Sign!

Great job by owner Jarred Vasconcellos.

Anna Pax, downtown volunteer
We are asking new volunteers to sign up to help keep downtown neat and tidy. At the same time, we would like to single out longtime downtown volunteer Anna Pax for special recognition. She long ago adopted the waterfront gardens at Tonnessen Park as her project and takes care of them as if they were her own. She has been doing this for at least ten years.
 
No cigarette butt or Dunkin Donuts cup ever rests in these gardens for long. Thanks to this season’s extraordinary rainfall, the gardens have been especially lovely. The rain has also brought lots of weeds, but they are quickly rooted out in the gardens Anna tends.
 
The well kept gardens make an enormous difference to the appearance of Tonnessen Park, especially important since it is next to the Waterfront Visitor Center and the launching spot for both harbor tours. It’s much more relaxing and inviting to stroll along the brick path, have a lunch there or wait for a ferry than it would be if the gardens were filled with weeds and refuse.
 
Indoor volunteer work is not for Anna. She wants to be outside and active. She also volunteers for Summerfest, Taste Of Southcoast and the Chowder Festival. People remember her from one year to the next, recogniztion she enjoys.
 
If you go to the Waterfront Visitor Center or take a harbor tour, take a few minutes to admire the gardens. If you see Anna there, as she often is, thank her for doing such a good job.

Clydesdales Popular attraction in Custom House Square
A team of eight Clydesdales and their mascot the dalmation Buddy were stabled on Custom House Square from Tuesday July 29 through Sunday August 2. They proved to be a popular attraction for a steady stream of spectators, children and adults. Streets closed to allow an hour long horse walk every morning.
 
Have Clydesdale hooves been heard before on the cobblestones? For sure Clydesdales have never bedded down with the Whaling Museum in the background.

Attention Downtown Entrepreneurs
Bristol Community College is holding its 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Day at the Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree Street, on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 from 9am- 1pm.  Richard Bottner, Founder of Intern Bridge and named one of Business Week's Top 25 under 25 is one of the featured speakers.
 
This event attracts over 500 people.  Local entrepreneurs and small business owners are invited to have free exhibit space at the event.  The audience is mostly BCC students so businesses that cater to that audience will find it most beneficial.
 
To participate, contact Jeanne Girard at BCC's Academic Center for Entrepreneurship, phone 508-678-2811 X 2695.

Notes from the Standard-Times
 
Summer of Sundays (July 26-Aug. 30)
Where's the sun?  It’s on Sundays in the Standard-Times.
Starting Sunday July 26, The Standard-Times will be giving away $250 a week and a grand prize of $1,000.  Look in The Standard-Times for your chances to win.
 
Go Healthy! Expo (October 24, 2009)
Are you in the health and wellness industry and looking for a new and innovative way to showcase your products and/or services? Give the Go Healthy! SouthCoast Expo a-go at affordable pricing you can’t go wrong!  Contact Leslie Poulin, Expo Coordinator for more information!
 
Attendance for this event is FREE to the general public, and will include a variety of seminars and demonstrations.