All The News

All The News

11:12:30 pm Water Bill Perplexes Church, Selectmen

Categories: Marion

A regular meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Stephen Cushing at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at the Marion Town House. Also in attendance were Selectmen Roger Blanchette and Jonathan Henry, Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Assistant to the Town Administrator Helene Craver.

In a first appointment, the Board met with Norm Hills and Bill Saltonstall of the Alternative Energy Committee (AEC). The AEC is working with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to conduct “feasibility studies” to determine an optimum location for a wind turbine to power town buildings, like the Sippican School, the Town House and one-third of the Old Rochester Regional Schools. Mr. Saltonstall said that the town currently pays about $750,000 in electric bills per year.

“We really think that there is the possibility here for hundreds of thousands [of dollars] in savings to the town,” said Mr. Saltonstall. “Marion is in kind of a rare spot. We’ve got the wind.”

The AEC is currently collecting wind velocity data in the area of Great Hill. This feasibility study requires one year of observation, which means the AEC will know more about the possibility of proceeding with Great Hill as a location for turbines in July 2010.

Zoning by-laws in Marion currently only address residential turbines. The AEC is also exploring the potential of constructing by-laws to include commercial-grade turbines, which have recently been installed in Dartmouth, Falmouth, and Portsmouth, RI. The by-laws would address color requirements, setbacks, safety standards, sound, flicker, underground utility connections, and removal requirements.

“I have to commend you on a wise approach,” said Selectman Henry. “The right way is to do it in a way that prevents controversy.”

The minutes of the January 5, 11, and 19, 2010 meetings were approved.

In Action items, the Board quickly approved the following items:

• An appointment of Blake Wilson as an EMT-Basic.

• One-day wine and malt licenses for the Marion Art Center on March 5-7, March 11-13, July 23-25 and July 29-31, 2010.

• Permission to close Main Street to vehicles and use Bicentennial Park for the July 10 Annual Arts in the Park.

In an appointment with Ken Hanson, Fred Danhauser and Bill Saltonstall from the Marion Congregational Church, the Board heard details of the $12,000 water/sewer bill that has completely perplexed the Church.

“This has been a major problem as you can understand,” said Mr. Hanson, who said that the bill indicates that the Church has used 44,194 cubic feet of water, which equates to 75 gallons per hour for the entire half-year that the meter was running.

The Church’s 35-year-old meter was evaluated by the water department and determined to be in fine working condition, but was still subsequently replaced. The Church has an irrigation system in the summer, but according to a consultation from the company who installed the meter, the irrigation system would account for only 14,000 cubic feet of water if run constantly at maximum volume.

The representatives of the Church claimed that there have been two minor leaks: one in a toilet, one in a hot water tank, but neither so serious as to cause the large bill. The grounds have never been soggy, and the basement has never flooded.

“It is a mystery,” said Mr. Saltonstall. “It may be an accounting issue or a misreading of the meter.” Mr. Saltonstall said that he has checked weekly since receiving the bill, and the water meter on the building is currently operating correctly. At the current rate, the Church is only consuming 5 cubic feet per week.

“The Church over the years has brought a lot to the town and the village,” said Mr. Hanson. “We thought you would listen to us. It’s no secret. All churches are struggling today. The church business isn’t easy, but it’s important. I think at this point, it would be fitting to ask the town for some relief on the sewer portion of this bill.”

“We are in an uncomfortable situation here,” said Selectman Cushing. “We just don’t give abatements out. I would be willing to ask [the DPW] more questions. There’s no question – that’s a lot of money. That’s about the equivilant of the water tower being emptied.”

Questions about the construction on Front Street being the source of the inflated bill were dismissed, since the water had to pass through the Church’s meter in order to be read. Since the irrigation system has been turned off for the winter, it remains a possible source of the problem, and the Board agreed to work with the Church to investigate the water leak source. To avoid penalties and fines, the Church paid the bill in December. They hope that the town will be able to provide “relief” from that bill if some error is found.

In his Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Dawson informed that the new police station is making “considerable progress” with sheathing and a vapor barrier up. Mr. Dawson wanted the public to know that the bright blue exterior is the vapor barrier, and not the final color of the building.

Mr. Dawson informed the Board and the public that the deadline for warrants for the May 17 Annual Town Meeting is February 26.

The Town House will be receiving a new sign in front of the building, thanks to the help of Upper Cape Regional Technical Vocational School. “I expect in the next couple weeks we will have a sign, and it will be installed in spring,” said Mr. Dawson.

In Correspondence, the Board received a letter from Mattapoisett Herring Inspector Robert Martin inviting them to an Annual Town Herring Meeting at the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen’s meeting in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room on February 23 at 7:05 pm.

The Board also received a letter from Ross Perry from SRPEDD in regards to a study that is being conducted regarding 911 dispatch regionalization. There is no cost to participate in the study, and there is no obligation after the study is complete. The Board voted to participate in the study and to attend the informational meeting on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 pm in the Dartmouth Town Hall.

The Board voted to go into executive session at 8:05 pm for the purpose of collective bargaining and litigation.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:12:24 pm Pine Island Division of Property Approved

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order by John P. Mathieu at 7:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were board members Karen Field and Robert McNamara, Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, and six town residents. Chairman Thomas M. Tucker did not attend the meeting.

The sole agenda item was the submission of a Form A application by Dave Davignon of Schneider and Associates on behalf of property owners Tim and Greta Fox. The parcel in question is located at 2 Pine Island Road.

“This is a continuation of a project that we presented to the Board as a preliminary [in December 2009]. We are here to cut out the two lots at the Pine Island residence,” Mr. Davignon said, and he then presented evidence that both lots have at least 150 feet of frontage and 30,000 square feet of lot area required to be cut up.

“This plan is basically a [division of property by right] plan when the applicant asks to cut lots up. If they meet those conditions with proper frontage and lot area, we have no choice but to approve,” Mr. Mathieu explained. “All we are doing today is cutting lots – not subdividing them.”

Mr. Matthieu then explained that if the owners would like to do anything with the back lot, they have to comply with the Subdivision Control Law. This law requires a hearing, during which public comments are weighed on the subdivision itself. During this process, the Board would set specific parameters the subdivision must meet, he said.

The board then approved a motion to accept the plan as submitted.

In addition, the Board accepted a letter from a neighbor abutting the Pine Island property. The neighbor, Richard Poznysz, hired an engineer to assess the property and the letter details concerns regarding sufficient storm water drainage and construction access. This letter will be included in the public dossier for later consideration.

In response to questions about the various plans presented in the past regarding this parcel, Mr. Matthieu explained that he does not comment on plans until a final one is submitted for review. He also stated that wetland conservation issues are under the Conservation Board’s purview; however, the Planning Board does review water drainage issues on a “case-by-case basis”.

The Board voted to adjourn at 8:00 pm.

 

By Laura Pedulli

 

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11:12:19 pm Old Colony Gets Green Makeover

Categories: News

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School (OCRVT) is going green. In a major effort to reduce its energy output, the school is getting a makeover in the form of building upgrades that will reduce Old Colony’s utility usage by 50 percent per year.

A kick-off celebration on February 2 marked the launch of the $3 million energy efficiency upgrade project. The event – which took place at OCRVT’s cafeteria – involved members of school staff and administration, the contractor, and local officials.

The event is particularly special for OCRVT Superintendent-Director Gary Brown – who spearheaded the project in August 2008. “This is a great experience for me; I never thought something like this could happen two years ago,” he said.

Mr. Brown led the efforts to undertake this project after amassing a team of school officials to study similar projects at four other schools. After a stringent review process, OCRVT eventually contracted with Trane – a business of Ingersoll Rand – in a year-long effort to secure $3 million over a 15-year period. The school expects to save 36,405,390 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 1,880,445 gallons of gasoline, 4,965 planted acres of trees, or 2,115 powered homes, over that 15 year time.

The initial plan to renovate and improve the facilities occurred through a process known as performance contracting. Performance contracting is a way to fund facility improvement projects without burdening the capital budget. The performance contractor – in this case Trane – provides a guarantee of resulting savings to the school. If savings are not achieved, the company will write a check for the difference.

The performance contracting aspect of the project is its greatest benefit, according to Brown. Under the arrangement, taxpayers do not have to pay a dime for the improvements.

In a time of tightening budgets, performance contract projects such as this are “appealing for municipalities and schools because they guarantee savings,” said Kristina Regonini, Marketing Coordinator for Trane. She noted that institutions such as K-12 schools, hospitals and colleges are “coming out the woodwork” to investigate such schemes to reduce energy costs and help the environment.

Mr. Brown expressed excitement about the project’s educational benefit for OCRVT students. Under the agreement, Trane employees will demonstrate to the engineering, math and science students the methodology behind infrastructure and facility improvements. The OCRVT School Board determined early on that student participation in the implementation of the upgrades was essential.

OCRVT is already is beginning the first set of upgrades, Mr. Brown said, in the form of high efficiency lighting retrofits and occupancy sensors. Other upgrades in the pipeline, which will be completed by September 2010, include:

•Eight rooftop HVAC units and 54 Variable Air Volume devices

•High efficiency lighting retrofits and occupancy sensors

•Building envelope improvements which include sealing and/or weather stripping for: windows, doors, boiler room, roof wall sealing and roof vents

•Kitchen equipment conversion for the main kitchen, culinary arts kitchen, and restaurant areas

•Dust collection and welding exhaust systems for carpentry and welding areas

•New condensing boilers

•Devices to limit energy consumption for vending machines and all computers throughout the District

Mr. Brown said another benefit of the program is the high quality equipment entering the school. In the past, the school often had to purchase cheaper equipment due to budgetary constraints. He noted that the school had to dish out $120,000 for a rooftop replacement ten years ago, but now that maintenance will be included in the new contract. “It is a load off of everyone’s mind,” he said.

“I think the town is lucky for what we are able to get out of this… We are fortunate, excited about [the project], and hope things go according to plan,” Mr. Brown said.

By Laura Pedulli

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11:12:15 pm Mattapoisett Historian Talks Cuttyhunk

Categories: Mattapoisett

Trivia Question: What do the Forbes Family, pirates, and the Wampanoag tribe have in common? Answer: They all left indelible marks on the history of the SouthCoast and Cape Cod regions – in particular, the Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Islands.

In the first of a two-part series, Mattapoisett Historical Society’s Seth Mendell delivered an elucidating lecture on all of the personalities that have shaped Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands – a string of islands that separates Buzzard’s Bay and Vineyard Sound. More than 80 eager history buffs attended the lecture, which took place on January 31 at 2:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Public Library.

Mr. Mendell began his story in 1602 – when Bartholomew Gosnold named the islands in honor of Queen Elizabeth of England. Following a 49-day journey from Falmouth, England, Gosnold made landfall at Nova Scotia and eventually meandered south to the Cape Cod region. Mr. Gosnold, mariner Gabriel Archer and a crew of 30 immediately set about establishing a trading post.

Three weeks later, however, the whole crew left. No one knows why, explained Mr. Mendell – but a few theories are circulating. The first theory is that the crew lacked adequate provisions to last six months because Mr. Archer clandestinely sold the provisions in England even before the journey began! The second theory is that the crew stole a canoe from the Wampanoag and feared revenge. The second explanation is generally considered implausible, as the Wampanoag were described in various accounts as friendly and open, Mr. Mendell said.

Next trivia question: What do Shakespeare and Cuttyhunk have in common? Answer: Some historians speculate that Mr. Gosnold and Shakespeare had met in England. During these exchanges, it is said that Gosnold’s tales of Cuttyhunk inspired Shakespeare’s The Tempest as the famous writer’s descriptions of an island in this work are a “carbon copy” of Cuttyhunk. “Whether it is true or not… we do not know,” conceded Mr. Mendel.

As European rulers continued to bankroll mariners in the hope of finding fortune in the New World, the European population continued to increase. The reality was quite the inverse for the Wampanoag, however. Due to contact with smallpox from a Dutch traveler, the tribe’s population plummeted from 40,000 to 4,000, well before the pilgrims set foot in Plymouth. The Wampanoag refer to this devastating part of its history as “The Great Sadness.”

Between 1630 and 1640, a whopping 75,000 English people arrived in the New World. 15,000 of these individuals established Boston. Around this time, King James I gave the islands to the Council of New England, which were shortly sold to the first of a series of owners: Thomas Meyhew and the Meyhew family. It is said that descendents of the Meyhew family still reside on the islands today.

Trivia Question: Which animal was essential to Naushon’s generation of wealth? Answer: Sheep. The first action the Meyhews took was to timber the island. The land then was sold for sheep grazing.

“You don’t have to go to the Caribbean to find pirates,” said Mr. Mendell as he recounted their trouble-making ways in the late 1600s.

According to Mr. Mendell, three pirates “preyed on local commerce” until the royal government of Boston stepped up to take action. Like scenes from a Hollywood movie, on October 4, 1669, mariners from Boston swooped down to Tarpaulin Cove and overpowered the pirates, who were later hung in Newport, Rhode Island. With pirates out of the scene, the oceans opened up for further development.

In 1730, the Meyhew family sold Naushon to the Bowdoin family, who owned the island for 130 years. The Bowdoin family organized 15-20 tenant sheep farmers who rented the land to raise 2,000 sheep as well as oxen, horses and pigs. During this time, the island experienced new growth. At this time, the general store (which still stands today), tavern, and inn were built and welcomed wary seafaring men who sought a little rest and relaxation.

“The tavern was a lively place in the evening. Men frolicked about and had wild times with local maidens,” Mr. Mendell said. It is interesting to note Tarpaulin is the home of one of the first lighthouses on the eastern seaboard. The lighthouse – built in 1759 – helped ships make it safely to shore. Cuttyhunk also has an old lighthouse that originally was built in 1823.

Cuttyhunk developed differently from Naushon, mainly because the island’s land was sold, not rented, to sheep farmers. In addition to farming, Cuttyhunk earned its wealth by piloting, or helping merchant vessels safely disembark. “The flipside of their wealth-earning enterprise was, of course, salvaging,” Mr. Mendell said. However, the Cuttyhunk Humane Society was established to lend a hand to lifesaving efforts. It wasn’t until 1915 that the U.S. Coast Guard formally took over this duty.

The good times did not last forever, though. The Revolutionary War devastated the islands, as the British swept in and confiscated thousands of sheep and other goods despite efforts to set up fortifications. According to Mr. Mendell, 500 Englishmen walked the entire islands “shoulder to shoulder” starting at the northern tip of Naushon to effectively pillage the land.

Years after the war played itself out, the Bowdoin family sold the land to the Swain family in 1809.

It was through this family the Forbes family entered the picture. Sarah Swain Hathaway, niece of owner William Swain, fell in love with none other than John Murray Forbes, a wealthy merchant prince of Boston. Mr. Forbes made his fortune by sailing the world and establishing trading routes through the Pacific Northwest regions to China. The prevalence of mariners in SouthCoast and Cape Cod is highlighted by the delicious fact that the first American to sail around the globe was John Kendrick in 1783 from our own Wareham, MA.

Next trivia question: Which commodity was essential to Mr. Forbes’ wealth? Answer: Sea otter pelts. Forbes and other traders would sell their iron goods to the Northwest Pacific coast, where they would acquire sea otter pelts to sell to the Chinese. “China went out of its mind for sea otter pelts,” Mr. Mendell said. Conversely, when these traders returned to Boston, the people loved Chinese silk, spices and tea.

Mr. Forbes not only fell in love with Sarah Swain Hathaway, but with Naushon and the islands. He leveraged his wealth to buy out his uncle and aunt in-law, and set about to drain the island’s swamps, build stone walls, add grass to the pastures, and plant thousands of seedling trees. This effort restored the land  closer to what it was in the past. Mr. Forbes himself moved to Cuttyhunk and resided in Gosnold.

In the 1880s, striped bass lured wealthy New York millionaires who arrived in “three-piece suits” and let the locals bait their hooks as they leisurely fished. Cuttyhunk also benefited from William Wood, a businessman who was its “sugar-daddy,” in the 1900s. With his wealth, Mr. Wood implemented infrastructure improvements, paved roads, built a sewer system, and introduced electricity.

A big celebration marked the 300^th anniversary of Gosnold’s original landing in 1902, which including the unveiling of the Gosnold monument – a massive stone structure that is 60 feet high.

The Forbes family still own Naushon; it is estimated that approximately 400 heirs of the Forbes family lay claim to the land today.

By Laura Pedulli

 

 

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11:12:10 pm Marion to Consider Wind Power By-Laws

Categories: Marion

A regular meeting of the Marion Planning Board was called to order by Vice Chairman Joseph Napoli at 7:20 pm on Monday, February 1, 2010 at the Marion Town House. Also in attendance were Board Members Steve Gonsalves, Patricia McArdle, John Sweeney, Julia Crowley and Jay Ryder and Planning Board Secretary Debra Paiva. Chairman Thomas Magauran was not in attendance.

The first appointment was with Alan Minard of 123 Allen’s Point Road. Mr. Minard owns two plots of land off Allen’s Point Road and came to the Board asking to transfer one triangular portion of land from the plot he currently occupies to his other plot that he intends on selling. The size of the land to be transferred is roughly half an acre, and the purpose of the transfer would be to secure unimpeded water views for the new owner of the plot of land. After a couple of questions regarding the placement of the home that will be built on the land and driveway placement, the Board felt comfortable with the transfer and voted to approve it.

A public hearing for a special permit request under the name Shaw/Johnson at 404/406 Point Road to allow construction of an Association Pier was continued upon request and will be postponed until February 22, at 7:30 pm in the Marion Town House.

There were no bills to approve, so the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 4 and January 11 meetings, pending a signature change on the January 11 minutes.

In a second appointment, Jill Houck of 21 Cottage Lane came to the Board asking permission to produce baked goods at her current business location at 160 Front Street, which also has frontage on Cottage Street. Ms. Houck, owner of Flour Girls Baking Company LLC, currently manufactures her baked goods from a community kitchen in Dartmouth and said that producing her goods in Marion would improve her efficiency in production.

“It would be paradise,” said Ms. Houck. “Lugging things back and forth is exhausting.”

Mr. Ryder recalled that the 300 square foot location that Ms. Houck uses as her storefront in Marion village was once the location of the Jenkins ice cream shop. “I would support [similar] usage in that building,” said Mr. Ryder.

The Board asked if the baked goods would be sold elsewhere, and Ms. Houck said that she would sell a wholesale quantity to a natural foods store in Mattapoisett, and possibly a few other locations.

Marion resident Ruth Nicolaci was in the audience at the meeting and expressed support for the bakery. “I think it would be great for Marion to have a business like this in town,” said Ms. Nicolaci.

The Board had no objection to Ms. Houck’s request and instructed her to proceed in applying for a special permit.

In a second public hearing, Attorney Jack O’Leary represented the Sardinha Family Trust in a request for a change in background color on the Dunkin’ Donuts sign at 450 Wareham Road. The request to change the sign background from Radicchio Red to Jackson Tan was approved by the Board without debate.

In an appointment with Norm Hill of the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC), the Board learned of AEC’s current efforts to facilitate by-law changes which would allow wind power in Marion’s future. AEC, which was formed five years ago, is currently researching areas in Marion that would produce enough wind for the purposes of providing energy to Marion town buildings, like the Town House and Sippican School.

“My understanding is that you are on a fact-finding mission,” said Mr. Ryder.

Architect Bill Saltonstall joined Mr. Hill in discussing the wind power effort. “We are not proposing a turbine anywhere,” said Mr. Saltonstall. “We are just looking to alter by-laws, and get them in shape.”

In addition to the Planning Board, the AEC had plans to meet with the Board of Selectmen, the Zoning Board, and the Financial Committee to discuss by-law changes and the potential benefits of wind power. The by-law changes would need to be approved at Town Meeting.

Safety measures and setback requirements would be among the issues addressed in the by-laws. One of the locations being investigated by a Feasibility Study for wind power is Great Hill on Delano Road.

According to Mr. Hill, over $750,000 is spent on town electricity.

“We believe we could save the town a lot of money,” said Mr. Saltonstall, who cited the annual rise in fossil fuel cost. Mr. Saltonstall said that with new technology called “remote net metering,” the turbine could be placed in an optimal wind source and the energy could be harnessed anywhere in town.

To the tip of the blade, the turbines would stand about 450 feet high and would cost about 1.5 to 2 million per turbine.

“Do you realize that Dartmouth is currently being sued for safety involved with the blade?” asked Ms. Nicolaci. “So you are looking to bring this up at Town Meeting without knowing the safety involved?” she continued.

“The by-laws would address safety issues,” Vice Chairman Napoli responded.

According to Mr. Hill and Mr. Saltonstall, the point of the by-laws would be to make sure that safety and placement would be clearly addressed for future use of wind power.

Ms. Crowley said that Portsmouth Abbey had installed a wind turbine to power their hockey rink. “It is very quiet,” said Ms. Crowley. “I know that’s what people really wonder about.”

Mr. Minard, Chairperson of FinCom, stood and voiced his support for wind power in Marion. “Net metering will let us take energy anywhere. Net savings to the town will cut electricity way down. This is a good idea. This stands to save the town a lot of money. It’s good to get the groundwork in place,” said Mr. Minard.

“I remember when a house on Point Road had windmills for pumping water,” said Ms. Crowley. “The idea [of wind power] is not completely new to Marion.”

A memorandum of understanding with Great Hill has been drafted, and Mr. Saltonstall thought that there was a good chance that a Feasibility Study would find the location prime for wind power.

“I think this is a coming thing,” said Mr. Swift. “I applaud your group for pursuing it.”

The arrangement with Great Hill, which has not yet been detailed, would involve leasing the land or trading power for land usage. Since using private land for municipal usage is unprecedented, these details will be carefully sorted out if the town decides to go forward with the project.

In a following item of discussion, the Board received a letter from Randall Monteiro officially withdrawing his special permit application for a nursery at 454 Wareham Street. An application to use the location as a nursery has been filed by the Sardinha Family Trust with the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the public hearing will be held on Thursday, February 4 in the Marion Town House at 7:30 pm.

Ms. Nicolaci asked why the application went straight to the Zoning Board of Appeals. “If no decision was made, what is there to appeal?” she asked.

“It will be taken out of our hands,” said Vice Chairman Napoli.

The new application will withdraw a special permit application and instead will look for a change of use. The location at 454 Wareham Road is currently zoned residential.

“There seems to be some confusion about what this land is to be used for,” said Mr. Swift.

“I think there was an attempt to push the issue by doing things that were not authorized,” said Vice Chairman Napoli.

Ms. Nicolaci said that she had attended the Planning Board meeting because of the Dunkin’ Donuts sign color change hearing. She fears that the Sardinha Family Trust, owners of both 450 Wareham Road (Dunkin’ Donuts) and 454 Wareham Road (proposed nursery location) will “keep coming back” and said that 454 Wareham Road should remain residential.

In a final agenda item, the Board discussed a requested variance to the Zoning Board of Appeals in regards to “Leo’s,” a wine and cheese shop on Route 6 in Marion. The owners of the building wish to rent the apartment on the second floor of the building that currently houses the shop. The apartment would either be used as a residence or an office. After discussing concerns in regards to the parking issue at the location, the Board ultimately voted to send a letter in favor of the application to the Zoning Board. The Board felt that parking issues could be sorted out as the process goes forward.

There being no more business to attend to, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:45 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:12:05 pm K-12 Regionalization Subcommittee Considered

Categories: News

A scheduled meeting of the Old Rochester Regional District School and the Massachusetts School Superintendency Union #55 Joint Committee was called to order by Union Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley and ORR District Chairperson Peter Bangs on January 28, 2010, at 6:30 pm. In addition to the members of the Joint Committee, Superintendent William Cooper, incoming Superintendent Douglas White, Director of Student Services Teresa Hamm, and School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio were all present.

In the ORR Chairperson report, Dr. Bangs reminded all of the members of the Committees that as public servants, they all must complete an ethics test as part of a new Massachusetts initiative. The results of the test, which can be taken online, must be printed out and returned to their town halls.

Dr. Bangs congratulated Rochester and Mattapoisett for choosing to participate in the Race to the Top (RTTT) initiative, but expressed regret that Marion, where his kids attend school and where his wife teaches, and Dartmouth, where Dr. Bangs teaches, did not sign on. Additionally, the ORR district that Dr. Bangs oversees as a Committee Chairperson, did not sign onto the RTTT grant.

Finally, Dr. Bangs thanked everyone who attended the January 23, 2010 retreat, which helped unify the four districts, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, and ORR, with open dialogue on strategic goals. “I hadn’t seen [the goals] in a while, I’m embarrassed to say,” said Dr. Bangs.

In the Union Chairperson’s report, Chairperson Hartley referred to the retreat as a “meaningful day” and thanked Superintendent Douglas White for attending, and thanked coordinator Glen Couture from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for putting together such a helpful program.

Chairperson Hartley referred to Dr. Cooper’s retirement party on January 22 as a “poignant” event, and a “great celebration” of the work that Dr. Cooper has done over the years.

In his final Superintendent’s report, Dr. Cooper said that he was “blown away” by the retirement party that the school committees and the community held for him. “You are terrific people to work for,” said Dr. Cooper. “You treated [my wife and me] royally. We were properly taken aback. The book Jane [McCarthy] made was incredible. I thank you for that.”

Dr. Cooper went on to further discuss the schools. “I feel good about the condition of the schools,” said Dr. Cooper. “I feel good about the team that’s in place. I feel good about Doug White. I think you have made a wonderful choice for a new superintendent, and I wish all of you well.”

Mr. White thanked the Joint Committee for the retreat, which he described as a “tremendous opportunity to get to know everyone. [It was helpful to find out] where the district is, where it wants to go.”

The Joint Committee received an annual update from the Tri-Town Education Foundation, which is a Tri-Town endowment formed three years ago. The foundation gives grants based on the interest of the endowment. Chairperson Susan Grosart said that the endowment currently has $119,344 and that five grants were issued in September 2009, totaling $3,257, over twice the amount that was issued in 2008.

The Tri-Town Education Foundation is seeking new members, according to Ms. Grosart, and would especially appreciate help from former school committee members. They have a “Taste of the Town” event scheduled for June 18.

Ms. Grosart thanked Dr. Cooper for all of his support over the years. “I don’t think we would be here without him,” said Ms. Grosart.

An endowment such as the Tri-Town Education Foundation works on interest, and “matures” over time. Ms. Grosart said that an example of a mature foundation is the Brookline Education Foundation, which has been in existence for over 25 years, and provides grants and awards to students and teachers.

The subject of K-12 regionalization, which had been tabled at a previous meeting 18 months ago, was once-again broached at the Joint Committee meeting. The topic had been tabled because of the Rochester Memorial School project. Now that the Town of Rochester has approved the construction of a new school, the Tri-Town could once again discuss regionalizing grades K-12.

“What are the advantages and disadvantages of regionalization?” asked Dr. Bangs. “What would it look like?”

Dr. Russell suggested forming a Regionalization Subcommittee, which would consist of school committee members as well as Selectmen and members from the Financial Committees. “It should include a wide range of constituencies,” said Dr. Russell.

The members of the Joint Committee expressed strong support for the regionalization expansion. The school districts currently consist of four different committees: Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and ORR. Regionalizing the elementary school would allow the schools to pool resources and make decisions together.

The Joint Committee agreed to revisit the idea of the Regionalization Subcommittee at the March Joint Committee meeting. In the meantime, the chairpersons from the four school committee will explore the matter further and provide more information at the March meeting.

“It’s more important to do this right than quickly,” said Dr. Russell.

Next on the agenda, the Joint Committee reviewed and approved a revised Non-Resident Policy for the 4 school districts.

In a format borrowed from Acushnet, the policy requires residency in the Tri-Town area for attendance at the public schools. Several exceptions were listed, and they included the children of teachers who do not live in the district, and “extraordinary circumstances:” for example, when a student’s family moves mid-year and the student wishes to complete the year in the Old Rochester Regional district.

The Joint Committee also revisited the topic of a Transitional Skills program. In December, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester School Committees had been presented with the idea of an “in-house” program for three area students – one representing each town – in need of special educational services. While the Rochester School Committee had approved the measure, Marion and Mattapoisett School Committees did not.

The “in-house” program would have provided the necessary social workers, teachers, and psychiatric support to the three students in need, but ORR Committee member Joe Scott said that “soft numbers” and pressing need made it difficult for the committees to properly determine the full range of the program’s cost.

Ms. Hamm said that the three students have been placed in outer districts, but that she would still like to discuss the matter further, if the event should present itself again.

Mr. Scott said that now that the children are placed in other districts, it is the perfect opportunity for Ms. Hamm to create “hard numbers” and give a full report on what the cost-saving potential would be if they chose to create an in-house service to future children in need. Ms. Hamm agreed, and said that she would prepare a cost analysis for the March meeting.

“Would we have this issue in a regionalized district?” Mr. Gordon asked referring to the previous discussion of regionalizing K-12.

“No,” said Mr. Scott quickly. “It would be a moot point.” Since a K-12 regionalization would include pooling money for special needs students, it is likely that the Transitional Skills program would have been easier to instate if the Tri-Town schools had been fully regionalized at the time.

The Joint School Committee was then given a price list of the school’s lunch prices. It was suggested that the schools review the school lunch prices and consider an increase, but not until the 2010/2011 school year to give families time to prepare. The Joint School Committee will receive a more detailed report from Director of Food Services Suzanne Souza at the March meeting.

Union Committee member Jane McCarthy visited an informational meeting at the Carver Library concerning charter schools. According to Ms. McCarthy, the School Committees learned about the meeting from an article that they read in The Wanderer and sent a representative to the meeting to learn more about the initiative.

Ms. McCarthy said that there were 18 interested parents there, and Eric Heiser from the Sturgis Charter School in Hyannis gave a presentation on the charter schools and International Baccalaureate (IB) model. The meeting was geared towards addressing the purported benefits of charter schools, like smaller classrooms and a challenging curriculum. Charter schools typically work with a lottery system, and are funded through the local school districts when students choose to attend the charter school instead of their local public schools.

“Remember that the money doesn’t come from the state,” said Dr. Cooper. “It comes from the school districts.”

The Joint Committee was in agreement that the Old Rochester Schools are competitive and give little reason for Tri-Town students to want to go elsewhere. “It’s still important to be aware of burgeoning activity,” said Chairperson Hartley.

The Joint Committee voted to go into executive session at 8:55 pm for the purpose of contractual matters.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:11:56 pm Cheerleaders Support Hugs For Healing

Categories: News

Old Rochester Regional has once again gone above and beyond the call of duty for community service and support. In an act of philanthropy, the ORR cheerleaders have organized a fundraiser for Hugs for Healing. Hugs for Healing is a local charity that supports cancer patients. The foundation, which was founded by a family whose mother is a cancer survivor, supplies cancer patients with tote bags in order to make their treatment more comfortable. Each canvas bag, which comes in both blue and pink, contains a HFH journal and pen, a heart-shaped stress toy, a gray sweatshirt, and an HFH registration lanyard. Hugs for Healing hopes that each bag will show patients that they are not alone - there are people who have also fought cancer, and there are others who care about them.

Christine O’Connell-Behan, the founder of Hugs for Healing, describes the foundation as “paying it forward.” As the foundation’s mission statement says, Hugs for Healing is “our way to extend a ‘hug’ to those in need and let them know that they are not alone. Our treatment totes will comfort and support those being treated for cancer, reaching out and extending a ‘hug’ when they need it.”

One of the members of the cheerleading team, Mattie Boyle, said that they got involved in fundraising for Hugs for Healing due to personal connections. “We have a cheerleader on the team who knows the person who started Hugs for Healing,” she explained. The team decided that it would be nice to support the foundation, so they decided to do an in-school fundraiser.

There are three ways for students to donate to Hugs for Healing. The first way is to make any donation to one of the cheerleaders. Those who donate will be given a ribbon to show their support of the foundation. The second way for students to donate is to purchase a link to a chain. These links cost $1.00 each and are inscribed with the words “In the honor of… [cancer patient name].” The homeroom that builds the longest chain will be awarded donuts as a thank you. And finally, students can purchase a bracelet for $2.00. The bracelets come in two colors, pink and blue, and have the website address for Hugs for Healing on them.

There is no definite end to the fundraiser. “We’re going to announce the winning homeroom on the Friday before February vacation,” Ms. Boyle said. “[The fundraiser] will probably end around then.”

Students and Tri-Town community members will still be able to donate to Hugs for Healing at any time, though. The foundation has its own online store where you can purchase sweatshirts, treatment totes, and even supportive hospital attire. Donations can also be mailed to the foundation. One of the ways that the foundation suggests to show your support of cancer patients is to purchase their family support kit, which contains the supplies to make your own Hugs for Healing sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was actually something that the O’Donnell-Behan family made when they first found out that cancer had struck their family. If you are interested in learning more about Hugs for Healing or about how to donate, you may visit the foundation’s website at www.HugsforHealing.com.

By Anne Smith

 

 

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11:11:51 pm Letters to the Editor

Categories: News

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

 

To the Editor:

I’d like to thank the Marion Selectmen, Marion Social Club, all my friends and family for all their support and get well wishes I received during my stay in the hospital.

Sincerely and fondly,

Rose Jackson

Marion

To the Editor:

“What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff – I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going, I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be.”

Rest in peace, J. D. Salinger 1919-2010.

Hazle Weatherfield

 

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11:11:08 pm Sport Shorts

Categories: ORR Sports

This was a very exciting week for our winter athletes. After a tough battle with Avon, Lady Cougars managed to pull out a win and take a first place in the Mayflower Small League. Lady Cougars have only lost three games this season and have worked really hard to get to where they are. They are hoping to take home the title like they did last year, but do understand that everybody would have to bring their A-game to the court in order for them to accomplish that goal.

After winning ten straight games and one game after Old Rochester Girls Basketball Coach Hohne won his 500th game against the Wareham Vikings; Lady Bulldogs fell to Coyle-Cassidy, but were able to bounce back. However, they dropped another non-conference loss to Bishop Stang, who qualified for the playoffs with the win against the Old Rochester Bulldogs. Lady Bulldogs are hoping they will be able to pull themselves together in the playoffs and not let the two losses of the season bother them in the postseason, which would matter more. Lady Bulldogs have had a very good season this year and played outstanding basketball, so they are hoping that all the hard work they put into the games and practice will pay off and win them the title this year.

The Old Rochester Boys Basketball team is on a successful stretch, winning three of their five games. One of the victories came this Saturday, against East Bridgewater. Matt Teefy was a spark for the Old Rochester’s offense, hitting six 3-pointers and scoring a career high, 22 points in the game, leading the Bulldogs to a much needed win, with a score of 87-71.

The Old Rochester/Fairhaven Ice Hockey team, which qualified for the playoffs last week with their 6-0 victory over Apponequet, continues to play well. This weekend they were able to defeat the Wareham Vikings with the score of 6-1. The scorers were Raymond Lawton with 2 goals, Gage Silva with 2 goals, and Cam Severino and Austin Koeppel each scored one goal.

Each team is proud of its accomplishments this year, and many of them are planning on coming back next year and making a difference. However, as we wrap up this winter season, come out and cheer your team on as they travel the road of playoffs in pursuit of one thing – the championship trophy.

By Yulia Motta

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02:30:49 pm Six More Weeks of Winter

Categories: Marion

Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, the weather forecasting groundhog, saw his shadow early Tuesday morning. After emerging from his lair in Punxsutawney, Mr. Phil saw his shadow, dashing hopes for an early spring. According to tradition, this means we will enjoy another six weeks of winter.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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02:06:55 pm The Caribbean Comes to Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

If there was a nip in the air on January 28, the kids at Center and Old Hammondtown Schools were blissfully unaware.

Dressed in bright splashes of lake blue and papaya orange, decked out in tie-dye and leis, Mattapoisett grade schoolers enjoyed a summery presentation by Pan-Neubean Steel. The musical presentation included calypso, reggae, jazz and soul. In between songs, the bandleader and steel drum player, Jeff Clayton, educated the children on the music they were playing, and explained how steel drums are made.

This tropical treat was coordinated by the Mattapoisett PTA Arts and Humanities, and funded by a grant from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council. This was one of many school year supplemental activities that the PTA brings to Mattapoisett children each year.

PTA Arts and Humanities Chairperson, dressed in tie-dye and silver jellyfish earrings, was excited about the presentation. “We asked the kids to get in the mood on a cold, January day,” said Ms. Nettles, who smiled as she looked at the room full of brightly dressed, energetic children, with some of the girls swishing in grass skirts.

“It’s so great to see them get involved,” said Ms. Nettles, whose son was among the children in the audience. The kids also helped prepare for the event by decorating the stage with tropical sea creatures.

PanNeubean Steel is an Afro-Caribbean band that has been together for over ten years, and often plays private venues – they have even opened for Kenny Chesney, Bruce Hornsby, and Jimmy Buffet. It is clear that bandleader Jeff Clayton is a music teacher, since he had an instant rapport with the children and knew how to get them up and moving to the music.

The music selection included songs that are reassuring (Every little thing is gonna be alright!), and music about making good decisions.

Upcoming PTA Arts and Humanities events will include an EthNohTec storyteller in April. The EthNohTec storytime will combine Asian traditions with lyricism, dance and movement.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

 

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02:01:40 pm Magic of Music Idol Contest

Categories: Tri-Town

On Saturday, March 13, the Third Annual Magic of Music Idol Contest will take place at the Mattapoisett Knights of Columbus at 6:30 pm. The contest is being held once again to assist in raising money for the Magic of Music Scholarship Program.

Jillian Marie Jensen, facilitator of the Magic of Music Scholarship Program (M.O.M) started the non-profit project in 2007 when she won the title of Miss Massachusetts Teen America 2007. The program was initiated to help kids who needed some financial assistance in taking music or fine arts classes.

Since the program began, more than $5,000 in scholarships has been provided to kids in the community who have needed financial assistance with lessons, instruments and other fine arts needs.

Interested candidates in the community between the ages of 6 and 18 who love to sing may participate in the Magic of Music Idol Contest. Winners in three age divisions will be awarded cash prizes. A Grand Prize Winner will receive Free Recording Studio Time.

If you are interested in participating please contact Jillian Jensen at 508-763-2920 or e-mail her at magicofmusic4u@aol.com. For more information about the Magic of Music Scholarship program, or to download an Idol Application, refer to www.magicofmusic.weebly.com</span>. Contest deadline for submission is February 28, 2010.

Former Idol Winners Simone Cardoso and Alexa Cahill will return to the stage to perform and area fine arts teachers will be involved in the judging of the annual contest.

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02:01:22 pm American Legion Meeting

Categories: Mattapoisett

The monthly membership meeting is held at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street on the third Wednesday of each month. The meeting this month will be held on Wednesday February 17 at 7:00 pm in the Hall.

A busy meeting is planned for this month. First order of business will be to finalize the plans for the American Legion spaghetti dinner on March 14. All hands will be needed for a smooth event. Secondly, long range planning for the Clam Bake will begin this month. Now that the Park Street property is safely in the hands of our friends, the Lions, there is much to accomplish in preparation for the event. The commander will report on his actions thus far but the members need to bring their ideas and suggestions to this meeting. This is a DO or DIE event and we all know that we can “DO” it if we work together starting in March! Please make an extra effort to attend.

As a 501(c) (19) corporation, the Post appreciates all tax-deductible contributions to assist us with our charitable efforts on behalf of our town, youth and Veterans. For more information or Hall rental call 508-758-9311.

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02:01:05 pm Sippican Woman's Club Goes Green

Categories: Marion

Author and guest speaker Michael Touglas, will present a gripping slide show of a

Cape Cod adventure based on a book he co-authored titled, The Finest Hour: The True

Story Of The U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescues, at the Sippican Woman’s Club, scheduled for Friday, February 12.

All meetings are held at Handy’s Tavern, 152 Front Street, and begin with a finger food luncheon and tea served at 12:30 pm, followed by a brief business meeting prior to the introduction of the guest speaker.

The Sippican Woman’s Club is open to all women who are residents of Marion or whose interests are in Marion. Please contact Jeanne Lake at 508-748-0619 for more information.

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02:00:47 pm ORR AFS Presents Around the World

Categories: ORR

The Old Rochester Regional chapter of the AFS (American Field Service) Student Club invites you to the third annual “Around the World: A Multicultural Festival” on Saturday, February 6, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Center School. The cost will be $5 per child or $10 per family. All proceeds will benefit the ORR High School AFS Student Club.

There will be games, crafts, songs, music and dancing. Activities are targeted for pre-K through Grade 3 children. Come and explore the world with AFS. Please use the gym entrance.

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02:00:29 pm Marion Natural History Society Presents

Categories: Marion

"The Possibilities Of Light In A Cold Place" a program by artist and natural scientist Peter Stone will be held at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street in Marion. The program will take place on February 13 at 7:00 pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children.

At a time when our attention has been drawn to fragile arctic environments and the gravity of climate change, Mr. Stone explores the landscapes of Atlantic Canada and Quebec as a metaphor for the human experience. Mr. Stone is a knowledgeable speaker with a contagious enthusiasm for observing and understanding the natural world.

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02:00:11 pm Buzzard’s Bay Regatta

Categories: Tri-Town

The 38th Annual Buzzards Bay Regatta (BBR) will be held on August 6, 7 and 8, 2010 and is being hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion. As it is one of the largest combined One Design and Handicap regattas in North America, the BBR attracts a wide range of competitors and boats from around the country.

BBR 2010 promises to be an exciting regatta. Competitive racing and reliable winds are the Buzzards Bay Regatta's trademarks. Among the classes offered for 2010 are Multi-hulls, PHRF cruising, PHRF racing, IRC, 420s, Lasers, Laser radials, V15's, J/24's, J/80's, Shields and Bullseyes.

Après-sailing festivities will take place on the grounds of the Beverly Yacht Club with tents, food, drinks and entertainment over the three-day event. Mark your calendars for this fun and popular regatta. For more information, please visit: www.buzzardsbayregatta.com</span>. Registration will open in April 2010. Stay tuned for future announcements and news.

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01:59:49 pm Hugs for Healing

Categories: ORR

The Old Rochester Regional varsity cheer squad is raising money for a local foundation called Hugs For Healing. This foundation provides special canvas totes for cancer patients, of all ages. These totes are filled with items that make treatments more bearable and are constant reminders of the love that surrounds a patient. Each item is chosen with comfort in mind: a journal and pen to write down thoughts, a comfortable zip-front sweatshirt, a lanyard for patient ID or family photos and a stress ball.

The cheerleaders are selling paper links for $1 that students can write a person’s name in memory of or in honor of. Later these links will be made into a chain. The homeroom with the longest chain will win donuts for their class. Pink and blue bracelets displaying Hugs For Healing are also for sale for $2 each. Many people are also making flat donations to help support this cause. For more information please visit www.hugsforhealing.com or become a HFH fan on Facebook.

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01:59:24 pm Tabor Presents Jesus Christ Superstar

Categories: Marion

In 1970, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice collaborated on a double concept album entitled Jesus Christ Superstar. The double album was an instant hit, and it took only a year to mount a Broadway production of Webber and Rice’s record-selling music. That production garnered five Tony nominations. Within two more years, a West End production followed, one of the longest running musicals in London to this day, as well as a movie. In 2000, the film was remade.

JCS tours all over the world, and currently the show is enjoying another national tour with Ted Neeley in the title role. Neeley has been playing the role since the 1970s; he starred both in the original film version and on Broadway. Ironically, Neeley originally auditioned for the role of Judas, believing that character to be the most interesting and most misunderstood in the show. To date, JCS has been staged and revived countless times in as many as fifteen different countries.

JCS lends itself well to ongoing reinterpretations. Tabor Academy’s production of JCS focuses on Jesus’ status as a modern-day celebrity, and, as such, plays like a cross between a rock concert and a press conference. From Miley Cyrus to Barack Obama, we are surrounded by superstars. With reality television shows and internet sites such as youtube, virtually anyone can achieve superstar status. The girl next door can, and has, become the next celebrity sensation, and Webber and Rice’s music and lyrics ask audiences to respond to this celebrity phenomenon.

Tabor’s production features local talents such as Dana Resmini ’10 of Rochester and Anna Collins ’10 of Marion, both of whom designed the scenery for the show. Joe Coffey ’13 of East Dennis plays Jesus, and Aly Scherding ’11 of Brewster plays Mary Magdalene. Kyler Canastra ’10 of Rochester plays Pilate, Cal Heavey ’12 of Marion plays Herod, and Margeau Frigon ’10 of Wareham plays Peter. Jacob Swift ’12 of Fairhaven and Cory Zografos ’12 of East Sandwich both double as Apostles and conspirators.

The show will be staged in the Hoyt Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy Thursday through Saturday, February 18 through 20, at 7:30 pm. For tickets, call 508-748-2000 or e-mail wintermusicaltix@taboracademy.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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01:58:55 pm Marion Public Health Announcement

Categories: Marion

The seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines are available for free to Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children 9 years of age and younger receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine.

Please call for more information or to schedule an appointment. Marion residents call 508-748-3530; Mattapoisett residents call 508-758-4118; and Rochester residents call 508-763-5421.

 

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01:58:27 pm Mattapoisett Council on Aging

Categories: Mattapoisett

Please call us at 508-758-4110 if you wish to learn more about our services. Call to sign up for all listings. Most events are free and open to all.

• Monday, February 8: 9:00 Garden Club; 9:00 SHINE; 12:00 Fitness with Karen; 12:30 Fairhaven Marts; 1:00 Scrabble.

• Tuesday, February 9:  8:30 Yoga; 8:30 Stop & Shop; 9:30 Public Health Nurse; 12:00 Presentation in Changes in Social Security.

• Wednesday, February 10: 10:00 Zumba Gold; 12:00 Fitness with Karen; 1:30 Bingo.

• Thursday, February 11: 9:00 Bridge; 9:30 Public Health Nurse; Trip to Museum Fine Arts, Boston.

• Friday, February 12: 8:30 Yoga; 8:30 Shaws; 10:00 Cardio Dance Fit; 11:00 speaker: Healthy Eating-Sodium.

Reminders for upcoming weeks:

• Flower Show Trips with motorcoach costs $10. Rhode Island Flower Show is February 19 and the Boston Flower Show is March 25.

• Breakfast buffet at the Hyannis Marriot on February 23.

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01:58:10 pm Rochester Softball Registration

Categories: General Sports

Rochester Girls’ Softball will be holding registration for the 2010 spring softball program on Tuesday, February 9 at the Rochester Memorial School from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Any girl who lives in Rochester, and is presently in Grades 3 through 8 is welcome. No experience necessary. For more information, please contact Polly Lawrence at 508-763-2072.

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01:57:43 pm Ways to Grow Newsletter

Categories: ORR

Ways to Grow, the newsletter of the Tri-Town Early Childhood Council, will no longer be mailed to tri-town families. The Winter 2010 newsletter can be accessed at www.oldrochester.org</span>. Click on “Early Childhood,” then click on “Useful Documents.”

For more information, please call 508-748-1863.

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01:57:22 pm Mattapoisett Congregational Pancake Supper

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Congregational Church will be hosting a Pancake Supper on February 16 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Reynard Hall, 27 Church St. in Mattapoisett. All are welcome to attend for pancakes, sausage, toppings, drinks, and good conversation. There will be a freewill offering to help support the Haitian Relief Fund.

For more information, please call the church office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to noon at 508-758-2671.

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01:57:06 pm School Vacation Video Camps at ORCTV

Categories: Tri-Town

ORCTV is offering two video production camps to Tri-Town youth. These camps will run during the February and April vacation weeks. Youth will learn digital camcorders, editing and studio production. Space is limited. The cost is $100 per child per session, ages 11-14. Please call ORCTV 508-748-1600 to sign up or for more information. Price includes snacks, T- shirt and Annual Membership.

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01:56:49 pm Olympic Presentation at Beverly Yacht Club

Categories: Marion

On February 20, the Beverly Yacht Club will be proud to sponsor another exciting presentation for area sailors. Dean Brenner, Olympic Program Chair, and Anna Tunnicliffe, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist along with other members of the US Sailing Team will share their Olympic sailing experiences. This event is part of a National Tour to bring information about the Olympic Program and its athletes directly to passionate sailors around the country.

Dean Brenner, a former Olympic hopeful himself, will discuss the state of the United States Olympic Sailing Program and will lead the discussion among the Olympic Sailors focusing on what it takes to campaign for a spot representing the United States at the 2012 London Games.

Ms. Tunnicliffe recently announced she will pursue Women's Match Racing as her primary event as she sets her sights on 2012. Her crew will be: Debbie Capozzi, a 2008 Olympian, and Molly Vandemoer. All three sailors will be present to answer questions at the February 20 Beverly Yacht Club event.

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the Music Hall the night of the event or you can make reservations by contacting Kerrie at the Beverly Yacht Club: call 508-748-0540 or email kerrie@beverlyyachtclub.org. Children 18 and under are free.

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01:56:34 pm Center School Kindergarten Registration

Categories: Mattapoisett

Completed Registration Forms for all children entering Kindergarten, and new students entering First Grade can be returned to Center School on either Wednesday, February 10 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm or on Thursday, February 11 from 8:45 - 10:45 am in the Cafeteria at Center School. Registration is for parents only.

For information on required immunizations and other enrollment requirements, please contact the Center School. If you have a child who was born before August 31, 2005 and is eligible to enter Kindergarten in August 2010, but will not be entering Kindergarten and/or will be attending a private Kindergarten, please call the office at Center School (508-758-2521) to notify us of your decision not to enter your child in Center School for the 2010-2011 school year. This will enable us to keep an accurate count of the number of students who will be entering Center School in September. If you know of a child who is eligible to enter Kindergarten in September and they did not receive this information about our orientation/registration in the mail, please have them contact Center School so that a registration packet can be forwarded to them.

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01:56:18 pm Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly St. Patrick’s Day Party will be on March 18 at noon at the Knights of Columbus in Mattapoisett. Please pick up your free ticket at the Council on Aging in the Center School. There is an elevator at the Center School.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming senior events:

• The Pie Sale will be held at the Seaport next to the Mattapoisett Post Office on April 3 from 8:00 am until the pie is gone. Why spend your time baking when you can buy some wonderful baked items by many of our best bakers?

• The next Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly movie will be on March 30.

The Friends have some lovely hand-sketched cards by a local artist. These cards may be sold individually or in a set of 6. All the scenes depict Mattapoisett. They are truly one-of-a-kind. They make great gifts and note-cards for yourself! They may be viewed at the COA.

Remember that the COA rooms are open all week for your convenience. Please come to the Senior Center and meet some people, enjoy lots of games, coffee, tea, and goodies. Someone may be looking for a person with whom to play cards or Scrabble.

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01:56:03 pm Mattapoisett Democratic Caucus

Categories: Mattapoisett

Registered Democrats in Mattapoisett will be holding a caucus on Saturday, February 13 at 11:00 to 12:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Public Library lower-level meeting room. The purpose of the caucus is to elect delegates to the Democratic State Convention to be held in Worcester on Saturday, June 5. A total of four delegates will vote to endorse Democratic candidates for statewide offices.

The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Mattapoisett. Candidates for delegate and alternates must consent to nomination in writing and be present at the caucus. Those not elected may apply to be add-on delegates in the following categories: youth, minority, and disabled.

Discrimination on the basis of age, economic status, ethnic identity, gender, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation is strictly prohibited by the caucus rules of conduct. Challenges to the delegate selection process can be filed with the Massachusetts Democratic Party, 56 Roland St., Suite 203, Boston, Ma 02129 no later than ten days after the caucus date.

For additional information, please contact Jeff Riley, Chairperson, at 508-728-5161.

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01:55:48 pm Rochester Democratic Caucus

Categories: Rochester

The Rochester Town Democratic Caucus will be held at the Rochester Town Hall on Saturday, February 13 for the purpose of electing delegates to attend the 2010 Democratic Convention Saturday, June 5, 2010 in Worcester, Ma. Delegates must have been registered voters by December 31, 2009. Residents who are registered Democrats in the town of Rochester are eligible to attend as delegates; however, you must attend the Caucus in order to be elected. Registration will start at 9:00 am and the Caucus will begin promptly at 10:00 am. If anyone has any questions regarding the Caucus or would like to become involved with the Rochester Town Democratic Committee, please contact Carol St. Don at 508-763-2795.

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01:55:27 pm Gateway Babe Ruth Signups

Categories: General Sports

Gateway Babe Ruth is now accepting on line registrations for the 2010 Baseball Season. Players living in the towns of Carver, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Wareham who will be 13, 14 or 15 years of age before May 1, 2010 are eligible to play. To download registration forms, go to www.gatewaybaberuth.org</span>. Forms must be submitted by March 23, 2010. Tryouts will be conducted for each League. Dates are listed on the website. All parents are encouraged to volunteer their time to the Gateway League. For more information go to www.gatewaybaberuth.org</span>,

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01:55:11 pm Tri-County Symphonic Band

Categories: General

The Tri-County Symphonic Band is proud to feature euphonium soloist Bonnie Denton, who will be performing the "Fantasy for Euphonium" by Philip Sparke at the “Sparke, Smith and Sousa” concert on February 7, 3:00 pm at the Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett.

Denton is a Musician First Class with the United States Coast Guard Band. She began playing the euphonium at the age of 9 in her hometown of Fairfield, IL. She soon began dreaming of a life-long career in music, and at the age of 16, left home to pursue that dream. Denton earned her high school diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI, a bachelor’s degree in both music performance and education from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, and began graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. While attending Eastman, Bonnie won a position with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, NY, and served in the Army for three years. While at West Point, Bonnie married Coast Guard Band tubist Richard Denton and moved to Connecticut at the end of her enlistment. She continued to teach and perform and also earned a degree in massage therapy before joining the United States Coast Guard Band in December 2006.

Please visit our website at www.TriCountySymphonicBand.org</span> for a chance to win free tickets to the February 7 concert, courtesy of a generous gift from Dino Pimental of West Wareham. Tickets may be purchased at the BookStall in Marion and Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door, first-come first-serve. Tickets are $10 (Students $5, Children 12 and under free).

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01:54:52 pm Lions Club News

Categories: Tri-Town

• 1000 Pairs of Eyeglasses Donated – Donald Correia, past District Governor and past President of the Mattapoisett Lions Club, recently donated 1000 pairs of eyeglasses on behalf of the Lions at the mid-winter conference in Plymouth to the district eyeglass committee. These eyeglasses are then washed and sorted and through a partnership with the Barnstable County Sheriff's office. The eyeglasses are then read with a Lensometer and categorized by prescription. In 2009, the Lions in Massachusetts collected and donated 32,025 pairs of used eyeglasses to third world nations, such as Paraguay, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana and Kenya. Eyeglass collection boxes are located at the Mattapoisett Laundromat, the Council on Aging and at the office of Dr. Jeffrey Swift. The Lions members wish to thank all those who donated eyeglasses and helped make this possible.

• Upcoming Meeting – Our next regular meeting is Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30 pm at the Chowder House. Guest speaker will be Michael Gagne, our new town administrator. So please come meet Mr. Gagne and give him a welcome.

• Dinner Caberet – The Dinner Cabaret show on Saturday, March 20 at the Knights of Columbus. More information to follow.

• Senior Turkey Dinner – Seniors mark your calendars – the Senior Turkey Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at noon at the Congregational Church Hall.

• Harbor Days – Despite these frigid temperatures, it's hard to believe that Harbor Days is just around the corner, kicking off on Sunday, July 11 with the triathlon and culminating that weekend with the craft fair.

Interested in joining a wonderful service organization whose motto is "We Serve" and where every penny raised from the public must be returned to the public? Please see our website at www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org.

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01:54:34 pm ORR Youth Lacrosse

Categories: ORR Sports

Registration is open for Old Rochester Youth Lacrosse Spring Season 2010. Tri-Town girls and boys Grades 1-8 are welcome. Go to the Old Rochester Lacrosse website to register. For more information, visit www. orylax.com.

You may also obtain information by contacting: info@orylax.com or amcintire@arm-co.com; Chris Donley at 508-763-0096; Andrew McIntire at 508-758-3803.

Interested in bringing Lacrosse to ORR High School? Contact Kristi Marshall at Kristi.marshall@comcast.net. ORYLAX is sponsored by the Mattapoisett Recreation Department.

 

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01:54:13 pm South Coast Chamber Music Society

Categories: General

The South Coast Chamber Music Society’s 10th anniversary season continues to present a legacy of great compositions with concerts at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 20, at St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion, and at 5:00 pm and on Sunday, March 21, at Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford at 3:00 pm.

Tickets may be purchased for $18 and ordered in advance by calling 508-295-2968, or at the door on the day of the concert. The box office opens 30 minutes before each concert. Attendees 16 and under are encouraged and admitted free of charge. Both concert venues are wheelchair accessible. For more information on SCCMS programs, ticket purchases, and directions please visit our website, www.southcoastchambermusic.org or call 508-295-2968.

These concerts are sponsored in part by the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

The South Coast Chamber Music Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring great achievements by presenting high quality chamber music to Greater New Bedford and the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts.

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01:53:57 pm Marion Natural History Museum

Categories: Marion

• Picnic in the Past – There will be a Friday evening program at the Museum on February 26, on the archaeology of Southeastern Massachusetts from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Bring your picnic blanket and sit back with the family to learn about who lived in our home before we did. Program partially funded by the Marion Cultural Council.

Upcoming After-school Programs:

• February 10 – Birds at the feeder. Let’s get to know who’s who at your bird feeder. Avid birder Mark Sylvia will introduce us to some of the more common birds we see at our feeder during the winter months.

• March 10 – Butterflies of the museum with museum director Elizabeth Leidhold. We will be looking at the museum’s historic butterfly displays and working on a project. Cost is $4.00 per child, $6.00 per adult or $10.00 per family.

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01:53:38 pm Tri-Town Early Childhood News

Categories: Tri-Town

Applications for project grow for the 2010/2011 school year will be mailed to families the first week of February. Enrollment is open to all children residing in the towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester who were born between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2007. If you do not receive your application by February 8, please call the Early Childhood Office to request one at 508-748-1863.

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01:53:08 pm Plumb Library News

Categories: Rochester

• Scarves for Soldiers – On Tuesday, February 16, the "Scarves for Soldiers" project will begin. Anyone who can knit or crochet, or any one who wants to learn, can stop by at 2:30 and pick up supplies and an information sheet to knit or crochet a scarf for a soldier in Afghanistan. Materials will be provided, and refreshments will be served, thanks to the Friends of Plumb Library. Anyone wishing to donate supplies may speak to the Library Director.

Monetary donations, to cover purchasing of materials and shipping, are also welcome. All scarves should be finished by November 11, Veteran's Day. Help sessions will be held on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. For more information, call the library at 508-763-8600 or e-mail info@plumblibrary.com.

• Science of Polymers – On Thursday, February 18 at 4:00 pm, children ages 5 and up can learn about the science of polymers, also known as "slime", with Mad Science. Pre-registration is required, and Rochester residents have first preference. Call the library or drop by to register.

• Junior Friends Meeting – The Junior Friends will be meeting on Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 pm for a business meeting, pizza and soda, and a rousing game of "Apples to Apples". Please check with Lisa or the Director if you are a Rochester resident between the ages of 10-15 and would like to be a Junior Friend.

• Non-Fiction Reading Group – The Non-Fiction Book Discussion group will be reading The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeannette Walls. With a brilliant but flawed father, and a free-spirit mother, the Walls kids had to raise themselves. They all survived the nomadic lifestyle and grinding poverty to become successful. The reading group will discuss this book on Monday, February 22 at 6:30 pm.

• Cafe Parlez – The February book for the Cafe Parlez Book Discussion Group is Shopgirl, by Steve Martin. Martin, usually known for his comedic talents, breaks away from his normal routine to write this novella about a young store clerk and her love life. Made into a movie in 2005, it starred Martin, and Claire Danes. Cafe Parlez will discuss the book and/or the movie on Thursday, February 25 at 6:30 pm.

• Trustee Needed – The Trustees for the Joseph Plumb Memorial Library are seeking to fill vacant seats on the Board. The Trustees would like to invite members of the Rochester community who have an interest in libraries to contact Library Director Gail Roberts, either by dropping by the library, calling 508-763-8600, or e-mailing groberts@sailsinc.org. Anyone interested in becoming a Trustee is invited to attend the next meeting on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8:30 am.

Commitment to this Board is at least 1 to 2 hours per month. Meetings are usually held on the second Saturday of every month from 8:30 to 10 am throughout the year. Qualifications necessary to fill this post include a belief in the library and its role in the community and a willingness to advocate when necessary.

For more information on the vacancy and the requirements, please come to the February 6 meeting or contact Library Director, Gail Roberts, for more information.

For more information on these or any programs at the library, call 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.

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01:52:49 pm Mattapoisett Free Public Library

Categories: Mattapoisett

• Tax Forms Available – Federal tax forms are available at the library in the Reading Room. The staff can also help you copy or download forms that are not in the library in print format.

• Haiti Display and Resources – For this interested in making a contribution to assist the residents of Haiti in need, there is a poster display and handout of charity organizations in the foyer of the library.

• We're on Overdrive – Are you interested in downloading books and music to your computer or MP3 player but not sure how? Stop by the library and ask the staff about the SAILS network's Overdrive ebooks. You can also visit the library's web site www.mattapoisettlibrary.org</span> for access to the SAILS database. Click on Digital Books to see the hundreds of titles available for free. Be sure to have your library card handy to log on and check out books and audio items.

• Read and Play Away – Don't have an MP3 player or iPod? The library circulates playaways, which are small MP3 players that hold one book each for listening. Supply your own headphones and you are ready to go! Great for listening while walking and exercising! The collection is near the audiovisual items near the Circulation Desk.

• Winter Storytimes – The Winter Storytime series began January 12. Please call the Children's Department for more details at 508-758-4171. Family story time is the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 am. It is open to everyone, and families are encouraged to bring their favorite books to share.

• Chess Club – Students age 5 and up are welcome to Wednesday nights Chess Club! Beginners and more advanced players gather at 6:30 pm to play and share strategies. Everyone is welcome. Please bring your chess set.

• Lego Club – Meetings of the Library's Lego Club will kick off in March on a Saturday afternoon! Until then, donations of Duplos and Legos are needed. Have a Lego table you no longer need? Lego fans who would like to display their creations are welcome to speak with Mrs. Burke in the Children's Department.

• Young Adult Advisory Board – The next meeting of TOM, Teens of Mattapoisett, is Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30 to 7:45 pm in the Meeting Room. An enthusiastic group of junior and high school students from various schools are assisting the staff in developing the library's Young Adult program. Students who would like to get involved and help plan our programs and activities for young adults are welcome to participate! Contact Jan Bolton for more information at 508-758-4171.

• Writers' Group – The Mattapoisett Library Writers' Group meets every first and third Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the Marine Room. The next meeting will be February 2. All genres are discussed in a supportive and cordial get-together. Everyone is welcome.

• New Museum Pass – The library bean offering passes to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Boston as of January, thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. For more details check the library's website at mattapoisettlibrary.org and the website for the museum: icaboston.org. Wonderful exhibits, lectures and programs, gifts and a restaurant should more than make the trip worthwhile! Help to relieve the many short days of winter with a museum trip. Visit the library or check the website to make reservations with your library card.

Need help or have a question? Many museum passes are available. Call the staff! 508-758-4171 or visit the library's website www.mattapoisettlibrary.

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01:52:32 pm Elizabeth Taber Library

Categories: Marion

• Winter Programs 2010 – Every day during the winter has Drop-In Crafts in the Children’s Room at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the activities.

• Tales for Twos – An 8-week series of story times for children between the ages of 24 and 39 months runs through February 24. The half-hour of stories, finger plays and crafts will be offered on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am. Children must be two years old by January 1, 2010 to attend and must be accompanied by an enthusiastic adult companion. Pre-registration is required by calling or stopping by the library, or e-mailing Rosemary Grey at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

• Story Time – A story time for children between the ages of 3 and 5 runs through the week of February 15. Children are invited to enjoy stories, finger plays and crafts on Monday mornings at 10:30. Pre-registration is required.

• Lap-Sit – A program for babies from birth through 23 months and their caregivers, runs through February 23. Each Tuesday morning program begins at 10:30 and includes a 20-minute “story time” followed by 20 minutes of socializing. One child per lap, please.

The Elizabeth Taber Library is located at 8 Spring Street in Marion. The phone number is 508-748-1252. More program information can be found on the library’s website at www.sailsinc.org/Marion.

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01:52:18 pm Mattapoisett Town Clerk News

Categories: Mattapoisett

• Census 2010 – Town Census forms have been mailed to every household. Please review to be sure that the information is correct, sign, date and return to the Town Clerk’s Office, either by mail or in person. If you have a dog, there is a license renewal form on the back of the census form. Fill in the information and return with the appropriate fee and a 2010 license will be mailed to you. Current rabies information must be on file before the license can be issued. If a resident is 70 years of age or older and the owner of a dog, they are entitled to a free license, but current rabies information must be on file in the Clerk’s office. If you have not received a Town census form please call the office at 508-758-4103 ext 2 and we will be able to update the information.

• Wharf, Skiff, Mooring – 2010 bills have been mailed to all holders of a Wharf, Skiff or Mooring space. Payment is due 60 days from date of bill, please be sure your mooring inspection is on file if your bill so indicates and all boat excise taxes have been paid. If either of these two is not current payment will be returned.

• 2010 Nomination Papers – Nomination papers for the Annual Town Election May 18, 2010 are now available. The following offices will appear on the ballot, Board of Selectmen, Assessors, Mattapoisett School Committee, Old Rochester Regional District School Committee, Library Trustee, Moderator, Water/Sewer Commissioner, Board of Health, Planning Board, Mattapoisett Housing Authority, Constable, Herring Inspector, Tree Warden and Community Preservation Committee. The last day to obtain nomination papers is Friday, March 26, 2010, and must be returned to this office Monday March 29, 2010. Please forward all inquiries to the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-758-4103 ext 2.

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01:52:00 pm Marion Town Clerk News

Categories: Marion

• Marion Annual Street Listing 2010 (census) forms are being mailed out this month. Please complete the forms as soon as possible and drop them off at the Town House, 2 Spring Street or mail them back in the enclosed envelope.

These census forms are very important for the town as State aid is based on the numbers returned. The Annual Street List is compiled from this information. No children under the age of 16 are placed in the street list. However, it is very important that children be noted on the census form for school and state purposes, but again, no children under the age of 16 are placed in the street list.

Also, please note that a separate Federal Census form will be arriving around the same time. It is important that both Marion Annual Street Listing and Federal Census forms be filled out and returned as soon as possible. We thank you all in advance for your cooperation.

• 2010 Dog Licenses are now available at the Town Clerk’s office. Please stop by or use the application which will be with the Annual Street List form making sure to read the instructions carefully as incomplete applications will be returned. People over 70 years of age do not have to pay for one dog license fee but are still responsible for showing current rabies information.

Please call the Town Clerk’s office at 508-748-3502 with any questions you may have.

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01:51:41 pm Rochester Town Clerk News

Categories: Rochester

• Dog Licenses – It is now time to renew your dog’s licenses for 2010. Licenses are available in the Town Clerk’s office. The fee is $7.00 for spayed and neutered dogs and $10.00 for intact animals. Mass. General Laws require you to have current rabies information in order to obtain a dog license.

• Annual Town Election – The Annual Town Election will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Nomination papers are now available for candidates for the following positions: One Selectman, three years; one Highway Surveyor, three years; two Constables, three years; one Board of Health member, three years; one Board of Assessors member, three years; two Planning Board members, five years; two Library Trustees, three years; One Cemetery Commission member, three years; one Park Commission member, three years; one member of the Rochester Memorial School Committee, three years; one member of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee for three years. The last date for taking out nomination paper for this election is Wednesday, February 24, 2010. If you have any questions, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508 763 3866.

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01:51:23 pm Three Authors Speak at Mattapoisett Library

Categories: Mattapoisett

Everyone is invited to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library to hear three authors discuss their experiences in publishing, and to read from their work.

On Saturday, February 13 at 1:00 pm, the library and the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library will host Mary Nyman, Stephen D. Rogers, and Roger Thompson in the Meeting Room. The three will read excerpts from their work, will offer a panel discussion on writing and publishing, and will answer questions from the audience. Books will be available for sale and for signing. Refreshments will be served by the Friends.

Mary M. Nyman was born in Chicago and grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee. She spent summers in Michigan on Torch Lake, near Hemingway country. After a year in France during high school, a year in Washington, D.C., and six years in college and graduate school in the Boston area, she settled in Wareham where she raised five children and kept various pets. She taught high school and college English for 21 years. Since retiring in 1994 she has been painting, writing and making necklaces.

Her writing credits include a book of poetry, The Season's Edge in 1984; a textbook, Teaching With 50 Great Short Stories in 1994; a novel for teens, When the Leaves Fall, published in 2002 and again in 2006; and various poems and articles in literary journals. During the past three months she has been in the process of completing revisions on a book of short stories about teens, High School Stories: Short Takes from the Writers' Club, which is due to come out within the next two months. More information may be found on her web page at www.marynyman.com</span>.

Stephen D. Rogers has published over five hundred stories and poems in more than two hundred publications.  Shot to Death, his collection of mystery short stories, will be published in February. More information is available about Steve at http://www.stephendrogers.com

Roger Thompson, of Mattapoisett, served in both the Executive and Legislative branches of New York State government for nearly two decades. He was Director of the Senate Finance Committee and also served as Secretary of the Senate. In the latter position, he received an Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for restoration of the historic New York State Chamber. He is the author of Capitol Games, a novel of political hardball, and Savages, a gripping novel about King Philip's War.

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01:50:56 pm Marion Art Center Winter News

Categories: Marion

Membership to the Marion Art Center is open to the public. Dues and donations are tax deductible. Members also receive discounts on theater and concert tickets, class tuitions and special events, as well as receiving the quarterly Newsletter, and invitations to gallery openings. Patrons are included in playbills and other publications. For more information, call the Marion Art Center office.

• Winter Members Show – The Winter Members Show is on display now in both galleries at the Marion Art Center. The exhibition runs until February 24.

• Rehearsals – Rehearsals are underway for the Marion Art Center’s spring play, Rumors by Neil Simon to be produced March 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 7 at 4:00 pm. Directed by Deborah Bokelkamp, this hilarious adult comedy features Michel Letourneau, Jay Gould, Kim Teves, Ric Teves, Nancy Sparklin, Jay Ryan, Mark Letourneau, Ruth Olson, Stephanie Caron and Jeffrey Gateley. Tickets are $15 for MAC members and $20 for non-members. Reservations are recommended. Tables are available for parties of 4 or more. 508-748-1266.

• Auditions for Imagine: an American Girl Musical Revue to be produced June 4, 5, and 6, will be held on Sunday, March 14 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. This family show calls for 2 men, 4 women, and 8 girls (ages 8 – 14). The production is made up of skits and songs based on the American Girl characters: Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha and Molly. Wendy Bidstrup and Nancy Sparklin are the directors.

• Valentine Tea Party – Reservations are now being accepted for the Valentine Tea Party at the Marion Art Center on Saturday, February 6 at 3:00 pm. Children and adults will enjoy entertainment based on an American Girl theme with music and a skit, do a hands-on crafts project, plus fancy food and fun. Tickets are $15 for MAC members and kids, $20 non-members. Seating is limited. Please call 508-748-1266 by February 1 to reserve a table for this special event.

The Marion Art Center is located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets in Marion.  Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Admission is free. Membership is open to everyone interested in supporting, promoting and enjoying the visual and performing arts.  For information call 508-748-1266 or visit www.marionartcenter.org</span>.

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01:50:39 pm Rochester Travel Basketball

Categories: General Sports

Rochester Travel Basketball is hosting the Eighth Grade Boy's playoffs at Old Rochester Regional High School, Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7 at 8:00 am. The boys earned the right to host these playoffs by winning the Seventh Grade Cape Cod Youth Basketball League Championship last season. Rochester Travel Basketball has been up and running for three years now, and has five teams totaling almost 70 children from the Tri-Town area. If you are interested in checking out the level of play or just want to come see some great basketball, come down and take a look at some of the most talented underclassman in the State.

The games will start on Saturday morning at Rochester Memorial School. There will be six first-round games played at RMS in the morning: at 8:00, 9:10, 10:20, 11:30, 12:40, and 1:50. The games at ORRHS start at 1:00 pm and run until 8:00 pm. There is no cost to get into the games. The ORRHS schedule is: 1:00, 2:10, 3:20, 4:30, 5:40, 6:50 with the last four games being the quarter-finals. On Sunday, there will be two semi-finals games running at 9:00 and 10:30 am. The two winners of the semi-finals will play for the League Championship the following weekend in Bourne at the Community Center. The two finalists also receive invitations to play in the Middle School State Championship in Mansfield in March.

Old Rochester Eighth Grade Boy's will play 6:50 pm on Saturday, February 6 at ORRHS. If they advance, they will play the semi-finals Sunday morning at 10:30 am, so come out and support your friends.

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01:50:22 pm Great Decisions at Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is sponsoring “Great Decisions,” a national civic education program and publication of the Foreign Policy Association. All interested members of the SouthCoast community are invited to come take a seat at the table and discuss the challenges to the global order, major issues that cut across national boundaries, and how world events will impact and shape American lives.

Published annually, the “Great Decisions” briefing book highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans today providing essential background information, relevant facts, current data, and policy options for each of the eight issues and serves as the focal text for discussion groups.

This is a unique opportunity to join in and discuss policy topics and meet interesting people. Great Decisions takes you beyond the headlines by providing a look at the most significant and far-reaching challenges.

Please consider joining us in 2010. Our discussion group shares diversity of opinion. The discussion group meets for 90 minutes on eight consecutive Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. The next meeting will be February 10.

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01:50:08 pm Rochester Woman’s Club News

Categories: Rochester

The next meeting of the Rochester Woman's Club will be held on Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 pm, at the Clubhouse, located at 37 Marion Road (Route 105) in Rochester.

This meeting will be the annual Rochester Woman’s Club potluck dinner. Please bring a main dish. Beverages and dessert will be provided by the Club. Everyone is encouraged to dress in red and bring a valentine gift to exchange. We will have a brief meeting at 6:30 pm and dinner will be at 7:00.

Our Christmas party in Onset was a great success. The food was fabulous and the company was great. Thank you Justin and Sarah for a great time.

The Rochester Woman's Club is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated helping those less fortunate than us. We welcome all women from any town. For information about the club, call Nancy at 508-654-6621.

Please join the Rochester Women’s Club for a Valentine meeting and potluck dinner, or just stop by for a glass of cheer and see some friendly faces.

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01:49:48 pm Pan-Mass Challenges Tri-Town

Categories: Tri-Town

Pan-Massachusetts Challenge gave $30,384,200 to the Jimmy Fund for a 30-year total of $270 million. The 2009 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) has contributed $30,384,200 to adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its August cycling event.

15 PMC cyclists, who reside in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester, raised $63,866 of the $30.4 million.

The PMC’s 30th year marked a total of $270,000,000 in funds raised for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The contribution represents 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar, a charity pass through rate nearly unparalleled within the $3 billion athletic fundraising event industry.

This PMC fundraising gift is the single largest contribution made to the Jimmy Fund in 2009, representing 50 percent of the charity’s annual revenue. The funds raised by the 4,937 cyclists of the 2009 PMC brings the organization’s 30-year total Jimmy Fund gift to exactly $270 million.

The 31st annual PMC is set for August 7 and 8, 2010. Registration is open online for alumni and newcomers. For more information about the Pan-Mass Challenge visit www.pmc.org.

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01:49:30 pm Marion Artist Exhibition

Categories: Marion

Marion artist Joan DeRugeris will have an exhibition of recent work at the Maxwell Mays Gallery at The Providence Art Club, in Providence RI.

Influenced by a recent trip to North Africa, this body of work depicts villages and vistas transposed onto canvases as painterly abstractions with figurative references to a different culture and time.

Using patterns, forms, colors and textures found in this part of the world, Ms. DeRugeris breaks down the elements while still keeping the feel of the subject matter. Oils and acrylics with occasional pastels are used to execute the impressions.

The show opens with an artist reception on February 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The show runs through February 26. The Providence Art Club is located on Thomas St in Providence RI. For more information, visit providenceartclub.org

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01:49:11 pm Marion Family Ice-Skating

Categories: Marion

Family ice-skating time at the Tabor Academy Ice Rink for the 2009/2010 season will be from noon to 2:00 pm on the following dates: February 7, 14, 18, 21, and 28. The cost of admission is $3 per person.

Skate at your own risk! Hats, gloves and skates are required for anyone who is on the ice. Helmets are required for inexperienced skaters and children under six.

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01:48:55 pm Cape Cod Half-Marathon

Categories: General Sports

The 2010 Cape Cod Half-Marathon Trilogy Race Series kicks off on February 28 at the Hyannis Half Marathon in Hyannis, Massachusetts. This is the second half-marathon in the series called "Great Hyannis.”

The “Johnny Kelley Half-Marathon” will also take place in Hyannis, Massachusetts on May 28 during the Memorial Day weekend. The Half-Marathon honors the great marathoner, Johnny Kelley, who won the Boston Marathon twice.

The inaugural 2009 Cape Cod Half-Marathon Trilogy Race Series was a huge success. Information on the 2010 series, including who raced all three marathons in 2009 and who won or placed in the top ten in 2009, can be found at www.baevents.com.

 

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01:48:33 pm Gallery X

Categories: General

The next exhibit will take place from February 3 – February 27, with a reception on Saturday, February 6, from 7:00 – 10:00 pm.

• The Audible Think Improvised Music Series at Gallery X returns for the 2009/2010 season with performances on the third Wednesday of each month from February to May. The series presents improvised music, jazz, avant-garde, and original compositions by musicians from around the region and those on tour.

This series, directed by Andy McWain and presented by Gallery X, a local/regional artist cooperative and gallery, is made possible, in part, with the support of a Whaling City Sound grant. A special thanks to Neal Weiss for his support.

This month's Audible Think takes place on February 17 at 7:30 pm. $5 suggested donation.

• Lore Lounge – Live soul, jazz and spoken-word is featured at Lore Lounge, which is an alcohol-free show with live jazz and soul, hosted by Phillip Aaron, Mwalim and The Bass Mint Bros with featured spoken-word artists, singers and open mic. This program meets the fourth Friday of each month at 8:30 pm. The suggested donation for Lore Lounge is $5. More info call 508-566-6269 or email mgmulti@gmail.com.

Gallery X is located at 169 William Street, in the heart of New Bedford’s Upper William Street Arts District in the historic 1855 First Universalist Church. Our hours are Wednesday thru Sunday from 11:00 – 3:00 pm, and on the second Thursday of every month from 5:00 – 9:00 pm with exhibits and programming as one of the venues for AHA!

Gallery X is a contemporary art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artists, which promotes a mission of cultural outreach through community partnerships, educational programs, and monthly exhibits. Gallery X is a non–profit, tax–exempt organization. Visit us online: www.galleryx.org</span>.

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01:48:18 pm Old Colony Nature Photo Contest

Categories: Tri-Town

The 2010 Green Fair to take place March 20 from 10:00 to 4:00 pm at Old Colony Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, sponsored by The Environmental Advocates for Massachusetts, Southeast (TEAMS) and the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA), is having a photo contest. This year the winning photo will represent “Nature in Transition.”

Were you ever inspired by that moment as a butterfly emerged from a cocoon - or as the ice began to glaze over in a cranberry bog? Have you enjoyed migratory birds taking to the sky? Show us what natural events inspired you and share that with others!

The rules are simple: No more than two entries per person. Each entry must be an 8 x 10 photograph, un-framed and un-matted. Each entry should represent the theme of “Nature in Transition” and must be taken somewhere within Southeastern Massachusetts. Be sure to list your name, address, telephone number, email, where and when the photo was taken on the back of your photo. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to allow TEAMS to reserve the right to use any and all contest entries for educational and promotional purposes only.

Entries must be submitted by March 3. You may mail your photograph to TEAMS, PO Box 898, Lakeville, MA 02347. Drop off locations will be available by January 4. If you are mailing your entry, we recommend you protect the photo(s). Photos will not be returned.

The winning photo will be displayed prominently at the Green Fair on Saturday, March 20 between 10 and 4:00 pm. If you have any questions about the contest, please email TEAMS at teams-info@hotmail.com or check out our website at www.teams-on-web.org.

Admission to the Green Fair 2010, in our fourth year, is free. Join us and you will learn how the actions of individuals like yourself can impact the health (water flow and volume, cleanliness, wildlife viability) of our watershed and our global environment in general. Learn how to have a positive effect on our environment. Join us at the Fair.

TEAMS welcomes participants desiring to display environmentally friendly products or services, or watershed-oriented studies or projects, and volunteers willing to lend a hand on the day of the 2010 Green Fair. Please contact TEAMS at teams-info@hotmail.com. Space is limited so please reserve ASAP. For additional information about TEAMS or the 2010 Green Fair, visit our website www.teams-on-web.org</span>. For information on TRWA please visit www.savethetaunton.org.

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01:47:45 pm Lipsky-Whittaker Grants Available

Categories: General

The Lipsky-Whittaker Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA) is seeking proposals for grants to support projects focused on either gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth or HIV/AIDS prevention, education and treatment. Applications, which are available at the CFSEMA website, are due in our office at 63 Union Street, New Bedford, by March 31, 2010. Please visit www.cfsema.org</span> to download the application form. Projects must be focused within the following geographic area: Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham, Westport.

The Lipsky-Whittaker Fund, created by the John J. Lipsky Charitable Trust, believes strongly in making strategic investments for the well being of the Greater New Bedford Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) community and in combating HIV/AIDS through prevention and education. The Fund encourages collaboration among individuals, groups and organizations interested in ending bigotry, violence and discrimination towards GLBT individuals and families, as well as promoting respect and inclusion as fundamental to the Greater New Bedford community’s values and actions.

Since 1995, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. CFSEMA is a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern – improving the quality of life in Southeastern Massachusetts.

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01:47:30 pm Habitat for Humanity Dinner

Categories: Tri-Town

The Mission Committee of the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven is sponsoring a benefit Spaghetti Dinner for Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. It will be held on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 pm. Learn what Habitat for Humanity is all about with a special guest speaker at 7:00 pm.

Dinner will be held in the Church Hall at 34 Center Street, in Fairhaven. Please use the William Street entrance. Purchase tickets at the door or call 508-993-3368 to make your reservation. The Spaghetti Dinner Donation is: $10 Adults, $5 Children 5-12, Under 5 free, $25 for a family of 4.

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01:47:12 pm Black History Month at Whaling Museum

Categories: General

In partnership with the New Bedford Historical Society, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is presenting a free lecture entitled “Daggoo’s Brothers: African American and Cape Verdean Whalemen” by Dr. Mary Molloy of the Sea Education Association.

In this illustrated lecture open to the public on Saturday, February 6, at 2:00 pm in the Museum Theater, Dr. Malloy will trace the history of black whalemen through documents and photographs in the Museum’s collection. An extraordinary range of sources survive that document the community of African-Americans on shipboard, including Seamen’s Protection Papers, crew lists, logbooks and photographs.

“This lecture is a wonderful tie-in with the Museum’s recent Moby-Dick Marathon as readers of Moby-Dick will remember Daggoo as Flask’s harpooner aboard the Pequod,” said James Russell, Museum president. “But in marking Black History Month, the larger, overriding intention is taking time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans to the growth of New Bedford as whaling’s epicenter. By touching every corner of the globe, the whaling industry brought a wave of diversity to the City that we still celebrate today.”

From Colonial times to the 20th century, men of African ancestry worked aboard New Bedford ships, in every capacity from greenhand to captain. The maritime trades depended on the Black workforce and offered opportunities for merit-based advancement that were not available in other industries. In addition to their work on shipboard, African-Americans were involved in related shore-based businesses. Local blacksmith Lewis Temple designed a harpoon that revolutionized the whale hunt; John Mashow ran a shipyard in Padanaram; and Paul Cuffe invested in merchant and whaling vessels, taught navigation to a generation of mariners and founded a dynasty that included a number of captains. Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland disguised as a sailor and found one of his first public audiences in New Bedford.

Dr. Malloy is the author of African-Americans in the Maritime Trades: A Guide to Resources in New England and From Boston Harbor we Set Sail!: A Curriculum Unit on African-American Sailors and the Maritime Commumity in Massachusetts in addition to four other books on maritime history.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales and whaling. The cornerstone of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located in the heart of the city's historic downtown at 18 Johnny Cake Hill and open daily. Become part of the Whaling Museum online community at flickr.com, facebook.com, and blog at www.whalingmuseumblog.org</span>. For a complete calendar of events, visit the Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org</span>.

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01:46:49 pm Redmen’s Meat Raffle

Categories: General

Redmen’s Hall will be holding a meat raffle and meat loaf dinner on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 pm. The cost is $5 per person.

Redmen’s Hall is located at 754 Main Street in Wareham. For more information, please call 508-291-0882.

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01:46:34 pm Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous

Categories: General

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a free Twelve Step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating and bulimia. Call FA locally at 401-486-2380 or visit our website at www.foodaddicts.org</span>.

An FA meeting is held in Dartmouth every Sunday at the Bishop Stang High School Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road, in Dartmouth at 7:00 pm.

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01:46:19 pm Take a Long Walk on Super Bowl Sunday

Categories: General

Before kickoff get outside and stretch your legs on a 4.5 mile hike hosted by the Trustees of Reservations. The hike will begin at 1:00 pm on Sunday, February 7 at the Slocum’s River Reserve on Horseneck Road in Dartmouth and end at the Buzzard’s Bay Brewery in Westport. Return transportation will be provided at 4:00 pm, with plenty of time to get home for the game.

Extensive conservation efforts led by the Trustees have helped to preserve a broad range of properties in the area known locally as “Horseneck,” making it possible to walk from the Slocum River to the Westport River almost entirely on protected land. The hike will be led by Trustees’ Education Coordinator, Linton Harrington. The program is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, e-mail bioreserve@ttor.org or call 508-636-4693, ext. 13.

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01:46:01 pm Habitat for Cats Show

Categories: General

The Habitat for Cats Second Annual Cat Show and Adoption Event will be on Saturday, February 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven.

Once again, Heather Welty, an 11-year-old volunteer for Habitat for Cats, has created a clever and educational "Cat Show", featuring the life of a feral cat and friendly felines for adoption. The show is produced and directed by Heather and stars children from Hastings and Rogers Schools. The goal of the Cat Show is to make the public aware of homeless cats and promote adoptions. Habitat for Cats will be presenting many cats for adoption at the show. All cats up for adoption are spayed/neutered, inoculated and tested for Feline leukemia.

Habitat for Cats will also be offering a bake sale and will be selling hand-made gifts and crafts at the show to raise funds for Habitat's programs. Admission is free with a donation of canned or dry cat food.

Habitat for Cats will also hold a "Meet your Match” Valentine Adoption Day on Sunday, February 14, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, at 1322 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford.

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01:33:50 pm K-12 Regionalization Subcommittee Considered

Categories: Marion

A scheduled meeting of the Old Rochester Regional District School and the Massachusetts School Superintendency Union #55 Joint Committee was called to order by Union Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley and ORR District Chairperson Peter Bangs on January 28, 2010, at 6:30 pm. In addition to the members of the Joint Committee, Superintendent William Cooper, incoming Superintendent Douglas White, Director of Student Services Teresa Hamm, and School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio were all present.

In the ORR Chairperson report, Dr. Bangs reminded all of the members of the Committees that as public servants, they all must complete an ethics test as part of a new Massachusetts initiative. The results of the test, which can be taken online, must be printed out and returned to their town halls.

Dr. Bangs congratulated Rochester and Mattapoisett for choosing to participate in the Race to the Top (RTTT) initiative, but expressed regret that Marion, where his kids attend school and where his wife teaches, and Dartmouth, where Dr. Bangs teaches, did not sign on. Additionally, the ORR district that Dr. Bangs oversees as a Committee Chairperson, did not sign onto the RTTT grant.

Finally, Dr. Bangs thanked everyone who attended the retreat on January 23, 2010 retreat, which helped unify the four districts, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, and ORR, with open dialogue on strategic goals. “I hadn’t seen [the goals] in a while, I’m embarrassed to say,” said Dr. Bangs.

In the Union Chairperson’s report, Chairperson Hartley referred to the retreat as a “meaningful day” and thanked Superintendent Douglas White for attending, and thanked coordinator Glen Couture from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for putting together such a helpful program.

Chairperson Hartley referred to Dr. Cooper’s retirement party on January 22 as a “poignant” event, and a “great celebration” of the work that Dr. Cooper has done over the years.

In his final Superintendent’s report, Dr. Cooper said that he was “blown away” by the retirement party that the school committees and the community held for him. “You are terrific people to work for,” said Dr. Cooper. “You treated [my wife and me] royally. We were properly taken aback. The book Jane [McCarthy] made was incredible. I thank you for that.”

Dr. Cooper went on to further discuss the schools. “I feel good about the condition of the schools,” said Dr. Cooper. “I feel good about the team that’s in place. I feel good about Doug White. I think you have made a wonderful choice for a new superintendent, and I wish all of you well.”

Mr. White thanked the Joint Committee for the retreat, which he described as a “tremendous opportunity to get to know everyone. [It was helpful to find out] where the district is, where it wants to go.”

The Joint Committee received an annual update from the Tri-Town Education Foundation, which is a Tri-Town endowment formed three years ago. The foundation gives grants based on the interest of the endowment. Chairperson Susan Grosart said that the endowment currently has $119,344 and that five grants were issued in September 2009, totaling $3,257, over twice the amount that was issued in 2008.

The Tri-Town Education Foundation is seeking new members, according to Ms. Grosart, and would especially appreciate help from former school committee members. They have a “Taste of the Town” event scheduled for June 18.

Ms. Grosart thanked Dr. Cooper for all of his support over the years. “I don’t think we would be here without him,” said Ms. Grosart.

An endowment such as the Tri-Town Education Foundation works on interest, and “matures” over time. Ms. Grosart said that an example of a mature foundation is the Brookline Education Foundation, which has been in existence for over 25 years, and provides grants and awards to students and teachers.

The subject of K-12 regionalization, which had been tabled at a previous meeting 18 months ago, was once-again broached at the Joint Committee meeting. The topic had been tabled because of the Rochester Memorial School project. Now that the Town of Rochester has approved the construction of a new school, the Tri-Town could once again discuss regionalizing grades K-12.

“What are the advantages and disadvantages of regionalization?” asked Dr. Bangs. “What would it look like?”

Dr. Russell suggested forming a Regionalization Subcommittee, which would consist of school committee members as well as Selectmen and members from the Financial Committees. “It should include a wide range of constituencies,” said Dr. Russell.

The members of the Joint Committee expressed strong support for the regionalization expansion. The school districts currently consist of four different committees: Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and ORR. Regionalizing the elementary school would allow the schools to pool resources and make decisions together.

The Joint Committee agreed to revisit the idea of the Regionalization Subcommittee at the March Joint Committee meeting. In the meantime, the chairpersons from the four school committee will explore the matter further and provide more information at the March meeting.

“It’s more important to do this right than quickly,” said Dr. Russell.

Next on the agenda, the Joint Committee reviewed and approved a revised Non-Resident Policy for the 4 school districts.

In a format borrowed from Acushnet, the policy requires residency in the Tri-Town area for attendance at the public schools. Several exceptions were listed, and they included the children of teachers who do not live in the district, and “extraordinary circumstances”, like when a student’s family moves mid-year and the student wishes to complete the year in the Old Rochester Regional district.

The Joint Committee also revisited the topic of a Transitional Skills program. In December, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester School Committees had been presented with the idea of an “in-house” program for three area students – one representing each town – in need of special educational services. While the Rochester School Committee had approved the measure, Marion and Mattapoisett School Committees did not.

The “in-house” program would have provided the necessary social workers, teachers, and psychiatric support to the three students in need, but ORR Committee member Joe Scott said that “soft numbers” and pressing need made it difficult for the committees to properly determine the full range of the program’s cost.

Ms. Hamm said that the three students have been placed in outer districts, but that she would still like to discuss the matter further, if the event should present itself again.

Mr. Scott said that now that the children are placed in other districts, it is the perfect opportunity for Ms. Hamm to create “hard numbers” and give a full report on what the cost-saving potential would be if they chose to create an in-house service to future children in need. Ms. Hamm agreed, and said that she would prepare a cost analysis for the March meeting.

“Would we have this issue in a regionalized district?” Mr. Gordon asked referring to the previous discussion of regionalizing K-12.

“No,” said Mr. Scott quickly. “It would be a moot point.” Since a K-12 regionalization would include pooling money for special needs students, it is likely that the Transitional Skills program would have been easier to instate if the Tri-Town schools had been fully regionalized at the time.

The Joint School Committee was then given a price list of the school’s lunch prices. It was suggested that the schools review the school lunch prices and consider an increase, but not until the 2010/2011 school year to give families time to prepare. The Joint School Committee will receive a more detailed report from Director of Food Services Suzanne Souza at the March meeting.

Union Committee member Jane McCarthy visited an informational meeting at the Carver Library concerning charter schools. According to Ms. McCarthy, the School Committees learned about the meeting from an article that they read in The Wanderer and sent a representative to the meeting to learn more about the initiative.

Ms. McCarthy said that there were 18 interested parents there, and Eric Heiser from the Sturgis Charter School in Hyannis gave a presentation on the charter schools and International Baccalaureate (IB) model. The meeting was geared towards addressing the purported benefits of charter schools, like smaller classrooms and a challenging curriculum. Charter schools typically work with a lottery system, and are funded through the local school districts when students choose to attend the charter school instead of their local public schools.

“Remember that the money doesn’t come from the state,” said Dr. Cooper. “It comes from the school districts.”

The Joint Committee was in agreement that the Old Rochester Schools are competitive and give little reason for Tri-Town students to want to go elsewhere. “It’s still important to be aware of burgeoning activity,” said Chairperson Hartley.

The Joint Committee voted to go into executive session at 8:55 pm for the purpose of contractual matters.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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01:35:11 pm The Caribbean Comes to Mattapoisett

Categories: Marion

If there was a nip in the air on January 28, the kids at Center and Old Hammondtown Schools were blissfully unaware.

Dressed in bright splashes of lake blue and papaya orange, decked out in tie-dye and leis, Mattapoisett grade schoolers enjoyed a summery presentation by Pan-Neubean Steel. The musical presentation included calypso, reggae, jazz and soul. In between songs, the bandleader and steel drum player, Jeff Clayton, educated the children on the music they were playing, and explained how steel drums are made.

This tropical treat was coordinated by the Mattapoisett PTA Arts and Humanities, and funded by a grant from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council. This was one of many school year supplemental activities that the PTA brings to Mattapoisett children each year.

PTA Arts and Humanities Chairperson

Debra Nettles

, dressed in tie-dye and silver jellyfish earrings, was excited about the presentation. “We asked the kids to get in the mood on a cold, January day,” said Ms. Nettles, who smiled as she looked at the room full of brightly dressed, energetic children, with some of the girls swishing in grass skirts.

“It’s so great to see them get involved,” said Ms. Nettles, whose son was among the children in the audience. The kids also helped prepare for the event by decorating the stage with tropical sea creatures.

PanNeubean Steel is a Afro-Caribbean band that has been together for over ten years, and often plays private venues – they have even opened for Kenny Chesney, Bruce Hornsby, and Jimmy Buffet. It is clear that bandleader Jeff Clayton is a music teacher, since he had an instant rapport with the children and knew how to get them up and moving to the music.

The music selection included songs that are reassuring (Every little thing is gonna be alright!), and music about making good decisions.

Upcoming PTA Arts and Humanities events will include an EthNohTec storyteller in April. The EthNohTec storytime will combine Asian traditions with lyricism, dance and movement.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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12:10:58 am Sports Shorts

Categories: General Sports

There was a little reversal of roles this past week as the Old Rochester Regional Girls Varsity Basketball team suffered a defeat when they played Coyle-Cassidy High School on January 22. Coyle brought their “A-game” when they played the undefeated Lady Bulldogs and won, 50-33. Fear not, Lady Bulldog fans – the girls will have a chance to bounce back on Friday, January 29, when they play Greater New Bedford Regional Voc-Tech (GNB). Other upcoming Lady Bulldog games include a January 30 game against Bishop Stang, and a February 2 game against Apponequet Regional.

Boys and Girls Old Colony Basketball teams fared better in their games against Bristol County Aggie, with the Cougars winning 62-38, and Lady Cougars winning 52-24.

The ORR/Fairhaven Ice Hockey team is on fire. In a January 23 game against Apponequet, ORR/Fairhaven won 6-0, with goals and assists from Max Sherman, Gage Silva, Zack Matthews, Dan Glavin, and Eric Xavier. For the fifth year in a row, the Bulldogs are going to qualify for the state tournament. The next scheduled ORR/Fairhaven game is against Dartmouth High on February 1.

In the Division 4 state relays at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, ORR Winter Track performed admirably. On the Boys’ team, Rob Gammel, Bruce Fox, Mike Tiger, and Dana Dourdeville won the distance medley relay with a time of 11:11:35. On the Girls’ team, Kat Vicino, Therese Morss and Becca Sylvia won third place in the long jump.

Upcoming games for ORR Boys’ Basketball include a game against GNB on January 29, a game against East Bridgewater High School on January 30, and a game against Apponequet Regional on February 2.

There are still plenty of chances to get out there and see your favorite athletes in action! For more information, including time, location, and directions to games, visit: www.HighSchoolSports.net.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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12:10:34 am Mattapoisett Adopts Silver Star Banner Day

Categories: Mattapoisett

A scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on January 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne’, and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco.

The Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2010 meeting, both open and executive session.

Next in Action items, the Board voted to approve the annual “Change of Manager” at the Knights of Columbus, located at 57 Fairhaven Road in Mattaposiett.

In a final Action item, the Board voted to accept a proclamation for a Silver Star Banner Day on May 1. Silver Star Families of America is an organization that honors and provides support to wounded and ill men and women in the armed forces. Silver Star Families are recognized by the banners they display in their windows.

The first appointment of the evening was with Will Boutin, who was presented with the Veteran’s Council Certificate for 25 years of dedication to the Veteran’s Council. Veteran Agent Barry Denham was present to thank Mr. Boutin “for his untiring support of the Veteran’s Council.” Likewise, Mr. Boutin thanked Mr. Denham for all his work as the Veteran’s Agent.

In a following appointment, the Board met with the Mattapoisett Lions Club to discuss banners and the Harbor Days celebration. This was a continuation of a previous discussion where the Mattapoisett Lions requested the Board’s support in conducting a fundraiser by hanging banners on telephone poles throughout town. The 50 proposed banners, which would be endorsed by area businesses, would mostly hang on County Road (Route 6), Water Street, Main Street, and North Street, and would “tastefully” emphasize locations and events.

The Lions have received permission from Verizon to use the telephone poles, but the Board still hesitated at the quantity of proposed banners. “The public [needs] an idea of a maximum that will be allowed in a certain distance,” said Selectman Silva, who was afraid that the banners could become too crowded in some areas. The Board was more supportive of a move where the Lions would hang 10-15 banners and see the visual impact on town, and allow time for residents to provide feedback.

“It’s hard to go halfway on this,” said a representative from the Lions. The Lions receive a better price break by buying a larger quantity of banners, which makes their fundraiser more profitable.

“I have no qualms doing it,” said Selectman Silva. “I just want to make sure that the folks in the neighborhood don’t mind.”

Chairman Collyer said that he had seen similar banners done very tastefully in areas like Newport, RI, and that he had little concern with the banner placement on County Road, but was more concerned with village areas like Water, Main, and North Street.

Road Race Committee member Danny White spoke up in regards to the fundraiser. Mr. White expressed the opinion that a Lions Club banner fundraiser could take away from the Road Race fundraiser, which provides scholarship money to area students. A representative from the Lions Club said that their funds also stay in the community by providing handicap ramps, and other services to those in need.

The Board told the Lions to go forward with a smaller quantity of banners (25), preferably spaced out throughout the community, to get an idea of how the banners will look.

“A lot of older people [will] talk about it…” said Selectman Randall. “I think we should do a trial run.”

The Lions also presented the dates for 2010 Harbor Days, which will be July 16, 17, and 18. They plan on meeting with Police Chief Mary Lyons, Fire Chief Andrew Murray, and Building Inspector Andy Bobola to pull all the right permits.

“Status quo,” said Chairman Collyer. “Let’s try to maintain what we’ve been doing [in past years].”

“Just keep making that Strawberry Shortcake,” said Selectman Silva. “I look forward to it.”

Under Discussion items, Mr. Gagne’ informed the Board that he will be attending the Tri-Town Alliance Municipal Regionalization Workshop in Braintree on February 10, 2010, and was hoping that one of the selectmen would be interested in going with him. At the presentation will be information on the solid waste pick-up that has been regionalized between Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy.

The Board agreed that regionalization is a good move, but residents have to be diligent about separating trash from recycling as well, since less trash means less “tonnage”, which brings waste removal costs down.

“Education will be critical,” said Mr. Gagne’, who said that they would need an “aggressive recycling program” to keep costs down.

“No one wants to go to ‘pay as you throw’,” said Chairman Collyer, referring to the program some communities have resorted to, where residents must purchase special town bags for trash removal. This last-ditch effort usually results in more recycling efforts from citizens. While Mattapoisett wants to avoid this measure, they will need cooperation from residents in trash sorting to keep curbside pick-up in the operating budget.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that the next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room.

Under the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne’ updated the Board on the Massachusetts Agricultural Commission Conference on March 20 in Worcester. If enough Mattapoisett residents were interested, Mr. Gagne’ thinks that they could put together a carpool and use the COA van to attend the event, which starts at 9:00 am. Those interested should contact Mr. Gagne’ at the Town Hall.

Mr. Gagne’ also wished to remind the public that the lottery for the dingy list is on Saturday, January 30. If anyone is interested in being included should come to the Town Clerk’s office by Friday, January 29, 2010.

The Board received correspondence from Comcast on the scheduled network enhancement features. Since Comcast will be switching to digital service soon, the Board invited Comcast Senior Manager Mary O’Keefe to attend an upcoming meeting for public informational purposes.

There being no more open session items to attend to, the Board voted to go into executive session at 8:04 pm for the purpose of collective bargaining.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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12:10:30 am Rochester Receives S+P Bond Rating

Categories: Rochester

A Meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was called to order on Monday January 25, 2010 at 6:49 pm by Chairman Richard Nunes. Also present were Selectman Bradford N. Morse, Selectman Naida L. Parker and Administrative Assistant Veronica Lafreniere.

The minutes from the January 4, 2010 meeting were approved by the Board.

The first order of business was the temporary Animal Control Officer position, from now until March 18, 2010. Selectman Parker suggested an advertisement be posted so that a resident from Rochester could have an opportunity to fill the position. For the next two weeks, until February 8, 2010, the Board voted to appoint Ms. Susan Conner for the position.

Next, the SEMASS payment in lieu of taxes for the month of December totaled $284, 980.00. A thank you letter from Rochester Youth Baseball to the Selectmen and other town officials for their support this past year was read aloud.

Also under Correspondence, a Standard and Poor’s Bond Rating showed that the town of Rochester’s current long-term rating is an AA/Standard. The summary provided by Standard and Poor’s regarding Rochester read, “In our opinion, the rating reflects the town’s extremely strong property wealth and high income levels, coupled with below-average underemployment; very strong reserve position; and low-to-moderate debt burden with modest additional capital needs.”

Selectman Morse discussed with the other Board members the Tri-Town meeting he recently attended where the ORR budget and regional issues were brought up. Another Tri-Town meeting has been scheduled for the last Thursday in February.

Treasurer Cynthia Mello then presented a consolidation of the Town’s debt into one bond, which the Board voted on and approved of unanimously. Some of the debt is due to the 9.5 million the town is responsible for as their share of the Elementary School’s renovations cost, as well as a portion for the new fire truck.

A Verizon Pole Hearing was held regarding two new poles to be placed on Ryder Road, and the removal of one old pole. The Board made a motion to approve this change, and the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Mario DiBona then approached the Board regarding the New Bedford Water Line, and Chairman Nunes asked that this be discussed at a later date when the Board of Health and the Planning Board could be present as well. Mr. DiBona agreed to this request.

An Annual Herring Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:05 pm at the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen’s meeting, which is held in the Conference room at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

Selectmen’s Meetings are scheduled for February 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22, 2010.

There being no further matters in need of discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 pm.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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12:10:23 am Marion Schools May Still Qualify for Grant

Categories: Marion

A regular meeting of the Marion School Committee was called to order by Chairperson Jane McCarthy at 6:30 pm in the Marion Town House. Also present were committee members Christine Winters, Jay Pateakos, Joseph Scott, and Vice Chairman Brad Gordon, Superintendent William Cooper, incoming Superintendent Doug White, School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio, Director of Student Services Teresa Hamm and Interim Principal Lyn Rivet.

Chairperson McCarthy publicly thanked departing Superintendent Dr. Cooper for his 7.5 years of service. She cited “his calm demeanor, listening skills, and time given to parents” among his admirable traits. Additionally, she noted his role in creating a popular staff newsletter, his tireless enthusiasm for school sports, and his fitness lifestyle as a healthy example for students.

“Bill listens to everyone who wants to be heard,” she said. “He is a great example of how to behave in difficult situations.” Vice Chairman Gordon added to her remarks: “You’ve given us good and fair guidance throughout all of the time I’ve been on the Committee.”

Dr. Cooper heartily thanked Chairperson McCarthy and the board for their positive comments on his service. “I think the world of folks who will volunteer on school boards and take the heat that you do, put in the hours that you do … and put your ego on the line… to serve for the good of the kids,” Dr. Cooper said. The departing Superintendent also described his replacement as “terrific” and said he expected a seamless transition. Mr. White – who already is engaged in school activities in preparation for his new role – will officially replace Dr. Cooper on February 1

Dr. Cooper also commented that the recent January 15 in-service was “terrific” and mentioned ORR girls basketball coach Bob Holmes’ accomplishment of winning 500 games last Tuesday as an “up moment” for the school.

As a gesture of thanks, Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (VASE) Chairwoman Ronia Lavranos presented Dr. Cooper with the book Skycycle. She said it was part of the Books in Celebration project for which the organization donates books to the library.

Interim Principal Ms. Rivet discussed a variety of items in her report, including the recent in-service and current activities of the Student Council. She reported that the Student Council currently is conducting a fundraiser in collaboration with Soles for Souls in the hope of distributing shoes to earthquake victims in Haiti. Ms. Rivet also reported that the council is developing a school handbook.

In addition, Ms. Rivet again addressed recent discipline issues on the school bus. She said that most buses do not have problems, but one is a “work in progress.” School officials have had discussions with affected parents and students, she said. Ms. Rivet recently sat on a school bus in an effort to discourage inappropriate behavior and plans to do so on more occasions, she said. The interim principal also talked about a plan to install video cameras to improve security.

Ms. Rivet presented a report detailing her recent site visits to other school districts. She is investigating changes to the Sippican School curriculum, in particular to mathematics, in addition to upgrading the school’s technology stock. She looked at experiences at other school districts to recommend possible new programs at Sippican. Specifically, Ms. Rivet outlined the following recommendations:

• Explore Every Day Math (EDM) pilot/adoption to replace the current mathematics curriculum, Scott Foresman.

• Look at consistent teacher support and professional development to implement EDM.

• Continue work toward consistent literacy model across grades.

• Plan for cutting-edge technology.

The EDM program would cost $32 per student for the pilot kit, according to Ms. Rivet. At the time of the meeting, she did not know the price tag for the professional development piece of EDM. Under the EDM program, schools are required to dedicate a minimum of 60 minutes per day to its mathematics curriculum. Sippican School currently devotes 40 minutes of the school day to math. It is unclear how the additional time will be carved out, but Ms. Rivet said the length of the school day would remain unchanged if Sippican adopted the program. She also noted that per feedback from other school administrators, she would recommend the program be initially rolled out in the first two or three grades.

Chairperson McCarthy commented that the adoption of EDM often takes years to cement and parents often are frustrated by the requirements of the program, such as increased homework. However, she said once the children hit fourth grade they are fluent in the program. “There is a dip before success with Every Day Math,” she said.

In response to concerns that too little time has elapsed since the Marion school last adopted a mathematics overhaul (Scott Foresman Math), Ms. Rivet cited EDM’s success in raising student performance in other school districts and the need for consistency among grades in mathematics instruction. She also said the program is less “paper-pencil” and more “concept driven” – which students find more engaging – and that “more is offered for teachers” in terms of professional enhancement.

At the tail end of her report, the interim principal acquired approval from the committee to fund a student artwork fundraiser.

Subsequently, the committee voted to approve Minutes from the December 16, 2009, meeting.

School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio then discussed budgetary issues and acquired approval to use Nutrikids as the vendor of a new cafeteria card system. Under this system, students could pay for lunch using a card in place of cash and parents could monitor their children’s lunch purchases. For a small fee, parents could increase a card’s balance online. Incoming Superintendent Doug White recommended NutriKids, which was used in districts in New Hampshire where he recently served as superintendent.

After its initial start-up cost, Ms. Isernio determined the program would cost $640 annually to maintain.

Dr. Cooper then discussed in detail the Race to the Top (RTTT) Grant, a multi-billion dollar federal government program that seeks to enhance educational achievement by utilizing comprehensive assessment tools. The government will announce which states will be included in the grant in mid-April.

Under the RTTT Grant, Dr. Cooper stated that school districts electively get 20% of Title I money. The Marion School District receives $50,000 in Title I funds, which means the district would get an additional $10,000 under RTTT. Although this money is not jaw dropping, he said the real funding potential is in the estimated $250,000 million in grants available at the state level to RTTT-participating schools.

To apply for RTTT, school districts had to receive three signatures: the superintendent; the school board chairperson; and the teachers’ union.

The Marion teachers’ union did not endorse the grant, leaving the district one signature short to submit a complete application. Dr. Cooper noted that Massachusetts is accepting grant applications with just two signatures under a memorandum of understanding agreement, but the viability of these grants remains to be seen. Both Mattapoisett and Rochester School Districts obtained three signatures; thus if Massachusetts is awarded as an RTTT state, Marion could be left out of grants available to these neighboring districts. In Massachusetts alone, 285 school districts obtained three signatures compared to 56 that submitted with only two signatures, according to Dr. Cooper.

The lack of Marion’s full participation in RTTT not only leads to less money for the district, but failure to “participate in the shape of future public education,” Dr. Cooper said. However, Dr. Cooper remained optimistic that negotiations between the school board and the union may allow Marion schools to participate in a modified manner. For instance, the merit program – which Dr. Cooper said may have discouraged teachers to be on board with RTTT – could be tweaked in the future so all parties are on board.

Both Ms. Winters and Vice Chairman Gordon expressed strong disappointment at the union’s failure to endorse RTTT. “I’m disappointed to be in the minority of districts with just two signatures,” Mr. Gordon said.

Ms. Winters said, “I’m disappointed as a board member and a parent.” She noted that RTTT would assess students in their individual progress, which she believes would be a powerful tool to enhance student achievement. “This has been a very disappointing process for me,” she said. The School Board then voted to approve to continue pursuing participation in RTTT despite the recent setbacks.

Vice Chairman Gordon gave a brief report as representative of the Building Committee. He said that despite significant problems with two coils in the Sippican School’s HVAC system, 18 inspections found that the problem is not widespread thus no comprehensive replacements are required. He said the two damper controls were replaced at a relatively low cost. The vice chairman also reported a leak in the rotunda area that resulted in minor damage to interior moldings. He said that a plywood-covered hole – intended for a donated clock that never arrived – will be adequately closed up to prevent future leaks.

In his report, Mr. Pateakos noted that the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative is providing $7,500 to consolidate special transportation needs within districts. He also reported on professional development programs for history teachers and instructors of children with English as a second language. In other news, School Board member Mr. Scott announced that the Old Rochester Regional District had reinstated the late bus.

The Marion School Committee voted to adjourn at 9:00 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

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12:10:16 am Five-Town Trash Pick-Up Proposed

Categories: News

At a Tri-Town Selectmen’s meeting on January 21, 2010, the topic of regionalization was the issue of the night.

The meeting, which was hosted by Rochester Selectmen Bradford Morse and Naida Parker, and attended by Mattapoisett Selectmen George Randall and Paul Silva, Marion Selectmen Stephen Cushing, Roger Blanchette and Jonathan Henry, and Town Administrators Richard LaCamera of Rochester and Michael Gagne of Mattapoisett, largely focused on how the Tri-Town can regionalize services.

Mr. Gagne presented the idea of a Five-Town trash pick-up and removal service, which would include Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Acushnet, and Fairhaven. Since some services, like water and sewer, have been regionalized with Fairhaven, the hope is that another “big ticket” item like solid waste disposal could save all the area municipalities money.

Mr. Gagne said that he would like to “sit down” with Acushnet and Fairhaven and see if they would be interested in such a consortium. “The larger the pool, the larger the contract, the better price we could get,” said Mr. Gagne, who cited the trash regionalization of Quincy, Braintree and Weymouth, which has saved those towns over a million dollars.

All Massachusetts towns are currently facing a tough budget, and trash removal will present a dramatic increase in May 2011. Currently, a town like Mattapoisett pays $60,000 annually for trash removal; according to Mr. Gagne, that number will reach $250,000 by the year 2015 if the town does not seek some kind of regionalization.

Selectman Blanchette presented the benefit of having trash removal performed by municipal workers, but Mr. Gagne pointed out that regionalization wouldn’t necessarily preclude one municipality from taking the contract for all of the towns.

“There’s too many people out there doing too many things,” said Mr. LaCamera, in regards to regionalizing services. “There’s a lot of discussion going on, but no one’s moving forward.”

The Selectmen noted that they often talk about regionalization, but the talk doesn’t always lead to actualization. Selectman Henry suggested having a person placed in charge of facilitating regionalization efforts.

Mr. Gagne suggested working on a “grassroots level” and then working to regionalize with SRPEDD’s help to mobilize their efforts. “You can go to meetings and talk and talk and talk,” said Mr. Gagne, but he said that a group like SRPEDD could help them achieve the regionalization.

The Selectmen also tentatively spoke about regionalizing or pooling resources in regards to the elementary schools. This is a topic that will be addressed in further Tri-Town Selectmen meetings.

On the subject of FY11, the Tri-Town Selectmen expressed concern over the upcoming budget that will likely reflect hard economic times. Mr. LaCamera also said that he suspected Governor Deval Patrick would be announcing a reduction in state aid soon.

Besides trash removal, the region will strain under the projected 15% increase in the Plymouth County retirement plan. A discussion about the Plymouth County pension plan will be held on February 8 at 10:30 am in the Lakeville Library.

The Tri-Town Selectmen decided they would meet again on Thursday, February 25, to reconvene on the regionalization topics right before FY11 budgets are scheduled to be released. The governor’s budget will be released on February 27, and they will be able to gauge a lot of the towns’ spending based on what Governor Patrick says.

There being no more business to attend to, the Tri-Town Selectmen agreed to adjourn at 8:03 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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12:10:11 am ORR Ends Term 2

Categories: News

Students who are currently in Grades 10 and 11 are being granted the opportunity to attend the Nation Leadership Forum. This forum is a three day comprehensive residential program for students of high academic standing. Not only is the program enriching for the enrolled students, but it also looks great on college resumes, which are included in college applications senior year. Students who are currently in good academic standing and who also demonstrate their leadership abilities both in ORR and in their town are encouraged to apply for enrollment in the program. More information about this opportunity can be found in the guidance department.

Sippican Elementary School is starting an after-school student enrichment program and is therefore looking for high school students to volunteer. The program is scheduled to start in March and will run on Thursday afternoons. Students who are interested in volunteering need to go to the assistant principal’s office (in the science wing) for an informational form.

By this point, seniors should have gotten measured for their graduation robes during their lunches. When getting measured, the students should bring the $20 deposit in either cash or check.

Parents of both the junior and sophomore classes have had parent meetings earlier this week. The junior class meeting was on Monday, January 25, and the topic of discussion was the junior semi-formal in May. The following day, the sophomore class meeting was held.

ORR entered the third term on Tuesday, January 26. Students who had missing work should have already turned it in in order for it to be graded. Students who still have missing work have now passed the deadline and will therefore be unable to get credit for the assignment. Report cards will be finalized later in the week, and a copy will be given to every student to take home. Students and parents are also able to see the final grades for the second term by visiting PowerSchool online. Parents should be aware that because the school now uses PowerSchool, teachers are no longer required to write comments on the report cards. The reason for this is because parents have the chance to look at their student’s grades throughout the term, and thus should be speaking with the teachers if they have any questions. Some teachers, though, still use comments online.

Going forward into the school year, students should be aware of how they budget their time. There are only three weeks until February vacation, and the third term ends shortly after that. The fourth term is even shorter, and one week is devoted to April vacation while another is devoted to finals. Seniors have an even shorter fourth term.

Most students will also be starting their research papers for history in the coming weeks, and the freshmen English classes will also be working on their epics. Students typically complete both assignments last minute, but ORR teachers suggest that students plan ahead and create a timeline for their work, including February vacation within it.

By Anne Smith

 

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12:10:04 am Phone-a-thon Promotes Intercultural Initiative

Categories: News

While many high schoolers slept in this past Saturday morning, the Old Rochester Regional High School (ORR) chapter of the American Field Service (AFS) hunkered down and participated in a weekend phone-a-thon to raise donations for AFS’s general scholarship program.

Fueled by donuts and the support of four parent and school volunteers, 10 students manned phones and prepared mailings in this annual fundraising effort.

The AFS is a cultural exchange program that has been thriving at ORR since the 1970s. The aim of the program is to foster international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools and communities through a global volunteer program. According to AFS chapter treasurer Barbara DeSilva, monies raised during the phone-a-thon will help offset some of the hidden costs of being an exchange student abroad.

Kristina Davis, the previous coordinator of the AFS chapter, noted that ORR has been “extremely supportive” of the intercultural program. She credited this chapter with encouraging schools in Wareham and Lakeville to host their own students. This year, ORR welcomed three international students: Peter Augustin from Germany; Natacha Tanrattanawong from Thailand; and Diego Saldana from Panama.

Fresh from raising $25 during his first phone call of the day, sophomore Sam Carey beamed with enthusiasm for the AFS club. “I like being part of the club. I have great friends in it and it’s fun.” Carey is applying for a scholarship to live abroad in Germany for a year through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYE). The CBYE is a federally funded program that offers 250 scholarships to U.S. students wishing to study abroad in Germany.

One student sharing her home with a cultural exchange student is sophomore Kate Ryer. She expressed delight at her experience hosting Mr. Augustin. “It’s been an awesome experience. Peter is so much fun to live with,” she said. So far, the German student has accompanied Ms. Ryer’s family on trips throughout the Eastern seaboard – from Washington, DC and Baltimore to New York City, Boston, and Cape Cod. Ms. Ryer’s family has made their own efforts to learn Mr. Augustin’s language by posting notecards of German words on objects around the house.

For the time being, Ms. Ryer relishes his presence in her home. “I don’t want to think about him leaving. It’s too sad,” she said. If the experiences of AFS parents who have lived abroad or hosted students are any indicator, it is likely they will forge a long friendship. Ms. Davis,the previous coordinator, noted that she not only hosted an Indonesian student, but lived abroad there for two years and remains in contact with many international students.

Parent Catherine Maxie – who was diligently putting the final stamps on mail solicitations – also reminisced about students she welcomed into her home. “It is very eye-opening and challenging,” she said. “Teenagers are the same the world over… they are full of life, full of contradictions.”

In the past few years, Maxie’s family has opened her home to two students – one from Azerbaijan and the other from Turkey. Maxie recounted her experience fasting with the Azerbaijan student who practices Ramadan. She said they would wake up at 4:00am to eat breakfast before sunrise, and she still remembers the treat of rosewater and dates when the sun finally set. The exposure to Muslim traditions was very educational for her two teenagers living at home at the time, she said.

Kim Corazzini, current advisor of the club, noted that the group’s activities extend beyond studying abroad and hosting students. Last year the club traveled to Goodwall, Kansas, and welcomed their students to Massachusetts. This year the AFS club is hoping to visit Washington, DC. Other AFS activities include participation in the Manjiro Festival in Fairhaven, MA, in the fall.

In addition, on February 6, the group will host Around the World: A Multicultural Festival at Mattapoisett Center School. This event – geared toward pre-K to third grade students – will include games, crafts, songs, music, and dancing. Tickets are $5.00 per child and $10.00 per family.

Although the numbers will not be tallied by press time, Ms. DeSilva said the group typically raises between $4,000 and $6,000 during the weekend phone-a-thon effort. She noted that it requires $5,000 to fund a student abroad, thus every cent matters.

Residents who did not receive a phone call but still wish to contribute can mail their contribution to AFS, Old Regional Rochester High School, P.O. Box 585, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Checks are payable to “AFS Parent Club at ORRHS.” For further information, contact Jessica Noblet at 508-758-2676 or e-mail jessicanoblet@gmail.com.

By Laura Pedulli

 

 

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03:09:31 pm Hold-up Suspect Still Wanted in Marion

Categories: Marion

Marion Police are still looking for a suspect who is accused of robbing an employee of Bayside Insurance, on the corner of Route 6 and Creek Road on January 22, 2010. According to the eyewitness, the suspect was armed.

The employee reported that a 5’ 10” white male in his late 40’s, early 50’s entered the business at 8:00 am and demanded money. The suspect fled out the back door of the business at 242 Wareham Street and ran in the direction of Creek Road. A black pick-up truck was seen entering the parking lot prior to the suspect fleeing.

When police arrived on scene, they used a K-9 dog, which tracked some scent on Creek Road, but could not find the suspect. The Marion Police Department believes that the suspect might have gotten into a vehicle, possibly the black pick-up truck, and fled the area.

No injuries were reported from the hold-up. According to the police, the suspect was wearing jeans, and an initial report indicated that the suspect was also wearing a brown Carhartt workman jacket.

At the time of the incident, Marion residents were sent an automated communicator message from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s department. Marion police are still looking for this suspect and are now asking for the public’s help.

For more information, or if you have information, please contact Detective Scott Smith at the Marion Police Deparment, at 508-748-1212.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

 

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03:07:56 pm Homeland Security Trains over Tri-Town

Categories: News

The air rumbled in Mattapoisett at 7:00 pm on Wednesday night, January 20, when F15s from Westfield-Barne airport trained an "intercept and divert" procedure for the purpose of Homeland Security training.

The loud noise that sounded like thunder to some residents, was actually the F15 aircrafts flying at about 2,000 feet. Ed DeWitt from the New England Regional Airport said that that was "the sound of freedom" as the pilots practiced an important procedure to intercept suspicious aircrafts and divert them to land at local airports.

Mr. DeWitt had "no comment" as to where and when further training exercises would take place, but he did confirm that there would be further training in the area.

Major Matt Mutti from the Westfield-Barne said that the F15s were preparing for an Air Sovereignty Alert on February 15. “Fighter jets will be on alert 24/7,” said Major Mutti, as a part of the mission.

In the planned exercise, one set of F15s flies without flight plans, and/or without communication, and acts suspiciously. The other F15s attempt to “intercept and divert” the suspicious aircrafts.

The January 20 air event involved New Bedford and Cape Cod. According to Major Mutti, on January 26, there will be another exercise over New Bedford, and on January 28, there will be an exercise over Cape Cod.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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03:04:19 pm Habitat Helps the Community Grow

Categories: Tri-Town

Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity has “passed the baton” to the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School. The students at Upper Cape regional will be doing the rough plumbing and electrical work throughout the winter at Habitat’s current build on Minot Avenue in Wareham. The students will receive valuable on-the-job training; while, at the same time, enriching the community by helping a family in need attain affordable housing. “We’re extremely happy to have the participation of Upper Cape’s instructors and students,” says Bob Brady, from Habitat’s Build Committee.

In the spring, Buzzards Bay Area Habitat will be looking for build volunteers to finish the home that will be occupied by Jennifer Howlett and her children. Individuals or groups who would like to share their weekend time and skills should visit Habitat’s website at BuzzardsBayHabitat.org, and click on the “Volunteer Now” button. One of the perks of becoming a Habitat volunteer is free lunch! We offer a special thanks to the supermarkets and area restaurants for providing lunches to date.

Habitat International’s mission is to provide a “simple, decent place to live” for those in need. Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity mirrors that sentiment and adds: “Through community volunteerism, we empower hard working, deserving families in need, the realization of their dream of home ownership.” Habitat’s mission is accomplished with the help from dedicated volunteers/suppliers, like Bruce Packard, David Zorn, Dale Holmes, Donald Kahrman, and Sherman Briggs. These business owners helped out Habitat for Humanity with time and supplies.

Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity represents Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester and Wareham. Buildable land donations are now being accepted in those areas. Buzzard’s Bay Habitat for Humanity is currently seeking monetary donations, volunteers, a grant writer, and fundraisers. All donations to Habitat are tax-deductible. For further information or to make a donation, please visit www.BuzzardsBayHabitat.org</span>, or call (508) 758-4517.

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03:04:03 pm Marion Boy Scout Derby

Categories: Marion

For the first time in three years, there will be a Pinewood Derby Marion Pack 32 Cub Scout Race, taking place this Saturday, January 30, 2010, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Sippican School Cafeteria, Marion. Cub Scouts, from ages 6 to 13 all build their own cars, which must weigh less than five ounces, that are raced on a wooden track with the winners to receive trophies. All existing and potential scouts and families are welcome. For more information, visit www.marionscouts.com or e-mail: info@marionscouts.com

"This is an important event because it teaches the scouts the use of design and tools to build a race car, and binds the pack together in a competitive setting," said Marion Pack 32 CubMaster Doug Breault. "It also prepares them for the soapbox derby, which is racing on a larger scale, with cars the boys sit in and race down Holmes Street."

Other events to come include a SoapBox derby race through the streets of Marion, a Paw Sox sleepover and so much more. Now is the time to join scouting! Breault said bon-scouts are welcome. For those interested in joining scouting, applications for the 2010 season, which starts in April, will be available at the Derby.

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03:03:22 pm Marion Public Health Announcement

Categories: Marion

The seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines are available for free to Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children 9 years of age and younger receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine.

Please call for more information or to schedule an appointment. Marion residents call 508-748-3530; Mattapoisett residents call 508-758-4118; and Rochester residents call 508-763-5421.

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03:02:53 pm Mattapoisett Council on Aging

Categories: Mattapoisett

Please call us at 508-758-4110 if you wish to learn more about our services. Call to sign up for all listings. Most events are free and open to all.

• Monday, February 1: 9:00 Garden Club; 9:00 SHINE; 12:00 Fitness with Karen; 12:30 Fairhaven Marts; 1:00 Scrabble.

• Tuesday, February 2:  8:30 Yoga; 8:30 Stop & Shop; 9:30 Public Health Nurse.

• Wednesday, February 3: 10:00 Zumba Gold; 12:00 Fitness with Karen; 1:30 Bingo.

• Thursday, February 4: 9:30 Public Health Nurse; 9:00 Bridge; Trip to Narrow’s Crossing, Wareham.

• Friday, February 5: 8:30 Yoga; 8:30 Shaws; 10:00 Cardio Dance Fit.

Reminders for upcoming weeks:

• Flower Show Trips with motorcoach costs $10. Rhode Island Flower Show is February 19 and the Boston Flower Show is March 25.

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03:02:35 pm Marion COA News

Categories: Marion

• Speaker Series – Back by popular demand, the “Get Smart” speaker series for February is “Memory Fitness.” Come hear what you can do to keep your mind sharp on February 3 at 1:00 pm at the Elizabeth Taber Library. This workshop is free, open to the public, and pre-registration is not required. All speaker series are held the first Wednesday of the month, at 1:00 pm, at the library.

On March 3, the topic will be “Understanding Hospice.” The presentation will cover what is hospice all about, the benefits of hospice care at the end of life, and understanding the Medicare hospice benefit.

• The next Podiatry clinic will be held on February 22 at the Council on Aging office. Appointments are needed.

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03:02:19 pm Rochester Softball Registration

Categories: General Sports

Rochester Girls’ Softball will be holding registration for the 2010 spring softball program on Tuesday, February 9 at the Rochester Memorial School from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Any girl who lives in Rochester, and is presently in Grades 3 through 8 is welcome. No experience necessary. For more information, please contact Polly Lawrence at 508-763-2072.

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03:02:01 pm Ways to Grow Newsletter

Categories: General

Ways to Grow, the newsletter of the Tri-Town Early Childhood Council, will no longer be mailed to tri-town families. The Winter 2010 newsletter can be accessed at www.oldrochester.org</span>. Click on “Early Childhood,” then click on “Useful Documents.”

For more information, please call 508-748-1863.

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03:01:31 pm Mattapoisett Congregational Pancake Supper

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Congregational Church will be hosting a Pancake Supper on February 16 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Reynard Hall, 27 Church St. in Mattapoisett. All are welcome to attend for pancakes, sausage, toppings, drinks, and good conversation. There will be a freewill offering to help support the Haitian Relief Fund.

For more information, please call the church office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to noon at 508-758-2671.

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03:01:17 pm Machacam Club Meeting

Categories: Tri-Town

Machacam Club will hold its monthly meeting on February 3 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street. Social time is 5:30 pm, and dinner service at 6:00 pm.

The Machacam Club speaker this month will be Robert C. Bromley, Vice President of the Fort Tabor-Fort Rodman Historical Association. Mr. Bromley will speak on the Veterans’ Museum and the history of the complex. He will also cover the massive addition that is currently under construction. He is an excellent speaker and totally dedicated to the museum.

Callers are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy. Please report your lists not later than 9:00 pm on February 2 by calling 508-758-9311. Last minute changes can be made by members by calling the same number no later than 9:00 pm on February 2.

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03:01:00 pm School Vacation Video Camps at ORCTV

Categories: Tri-Town

ORCTV is offering two video production camps to Tri-Town youth. These camps will run during the February and April vacation weeks. Youth will learn digital camcorders, editing and studio production. Space is limited. The cost is $100 per child per session, ages 11-14. Please call ORCTV 508-748-1600 to sign up or for more information. Price includes snacks, T- shirt and Annual Membership.

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03:00:45 pm Congregational Spaghetti Dinner

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Congregational Church at 27 Church Street will be hosting a Spaghetti and Meatball Supper on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 6:00 pm. Included in the supper will be salad, bread, dessert and beverages. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, $30 for a family, and children 5 and under are free.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Deadline for buying tickets is January 28, and they can be purchased from the Church Office, 508-758-2671, or at Sunday’s Coffee Hour.

This event will raise funds for transportation to the March 6 Ski Trip.

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03:00:25 pm Old Colony News

Categories: Tri-Town

• Mattapoisett Freshman Spencer Grace was named Student of the Month in the area of Culinary Arts.

• Evening Community Classes – Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester is beginning enrollment for their second session of community, leisure, learning classes beginning Monday evening, February 1, 2010.

The thirteen courses include Basic Auto Maintenance, Cake Decorating, Scrapbooking, Photography, Basic Drawing, Microsoft Excel, Exploring the Internet, PC Repair, Intro to Web Design, and Character Education. Certificate programs will be offered in Electrical Code, Serve Safe, OSHA Safety – Construction, and Pharmacy Technician I and II. A Cosmetology licensure program will begin in the fall of 2010.

Classes will be held Monday through Thursday evenings and Saturdays. Times and hours vary depending on each course. On average, courses run ten hours and range in price from $50 to $200.00. A complete up-to-date listing, along with description and cost can be viewed at www.oldcolony.us</span>. You may also call 508-763-8011, ext. 220 for further information or email nightschool@oldcolony.us.

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School is a regional school and a community school, serving the communities of Acushnet, Carver, Lakeville, Rochester and Mattapoisett. Old Colony is committed to creating innovative and comprehensive educational opportunities for every student, enabling each student to attain his or her highest potential.

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03:00:10 pm Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands

Categories: Mattapoisett

On Sunday, January 31 at 2:00 pm, Mattapoisett Historical Society’s Seth Mendell will talk about the islands, their history and the interesting people who have lived on them. Named by Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602 in honor of Queen Elizabeth of England, this fascinating string of islands separates Buzzard’s Bay and Vineyard Sound. For over 400 years, the islands have had an interesting and colorful history. The lecture will be held in the Meeting Room of the Mattapoisett Library, 7 Barstow St.

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02:59:55 pm Olympic Presentation at Beverly Yacht Club

Categories: Marion

On February 20, the Beverly Yacht Club will be proud to sponsor another exciting presentation for area sailors. Dean Brenner, Olympic Program Chair, and Anna Tunnicliffe, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist along with other members of the US Sailing Team will share their Olympic sailing experiences. This event is part of a National Tour to bring information about the Olympic Program and its athletes directly to passionate sailors around the country.

Dean Brenner, a former Olympic hopeful himself, will discuss the state of the United States Olympic Sailing Program and will lead the discussion among the Olympic Sailors focusing on what it takes to campaign for a spot representing the United States at the 2012 London Games.

Ms. Tunnicliffe recently announced she will pursue Women's Match Racing as her primary event as she sets her sights on 2012. Her crew will be: Debbie Capozzi, a 2008 Olympian, and Molly Vandemoer. All three sailors will be present to answer questions at the February 20 Beverly Yacht Club event.

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the Music Hall the night of the event or you can make reservations by contacting Kerrie at the Beverly Yacht Club: call 508-748-0540 or email kerrie@beverlyyachtclub.org. Children 18 and under are free.

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02:59:41 pm Center School Kindergarten Registration

Categories: Mattapoisett

Completed Registration Forms for all children entering Kindergarten, and new students entering First Grade can be returned to Center School on either Wednesday, February 10 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm or on Thursday, February 11 from 8:45 - 10:45 am in the Cafeteria at Center School. Registration is for parents only.

For information on required immunizations and other enrollment requirements, please contact the Center School. If you have a child who was born before August 31, 2005 and is eligible to enter Kindergarten in August 2010, but will not be entering Kindergarten and/or will be attending a private Kindergarten, please call the office at Center School (508-758-2521) to notify us of your decision not to enter your child in Center School for the 2010-2011 school year. This will enable us to keep an accurate count of the number of students who will be entering Center School in September. If you know of a child who is eligible to enter Kindergarten in September and they did not receive this information about our orientation/registration in the mail, please have them contact Center School so that a registration packet can be forwarded to them.

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02:59:24 pm Mattapoisett Friends Of The Elderly

Categories: Mattapoisett

• Coupon Books – The Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly are now selling their 2010 Dinner For Two Coupon Books for $29.95 each. They are available either from the Mattapoisett Council on Aging (Mattapoisett Social and Wellness Center) or from Ilona Langhoff at 508-758-2787. If paying by check, kindly make the check out to the Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly.

These books make wonderful gifts.  By selling them, we can benefit all of our seniors here in Mattapoisett. The Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly look forward to your continued support.

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02:59:09 pm Mattapoisett Democratic Caucus

Categories: Mattapoisett

Registered Democrats in Mattapoisett will be holding a caucus on Saturday, February 13 at 11:00 to 12:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Public Library lower-level meeting room. The purpose of the caucus is to elect delegates to the Democratic State Convention to be held in Worcester on Saturday, June 5. A total of four delegates will vote to endorse Democratic candidates for statewide offices.

The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Mattapoisett. Candidates for delegate and alternates must consent to nomination in writing and be present at the caucus. Those not elected may apply to be add-on delegates in the following categories: youth, minority, and disabled.

Discrimination on the basis of age, economic status, ethnic identity, gender, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation is strictly prohibited by the caucus rules of conduct. Challenges to the delegate selection process can be filed with the Massachusetts Democratic Party, 56 Roland St., Suite 203, Boston, Ma 02129 no later than ten days after the caucus date.

For additional information, please contact Jeff Riley, Chairperson, at 508-728-5161.

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02:58:53 pm Rochester Democratic Caucus

Categories: Rochester

The Rochester Town Democratic Caucus will be held at the Rochester Town Hall on Saturday, February 13 for the purpose of electing delegates to attend the 2010 Democratic Convention Saturday, June 5, 2010 in Worcester, Ma. Delegates must have been registered voters by December 31, 2009. Residents who are registered Democrats in the town of Rochester are eligible to attend as delegates; however, you must attend the Caucus in order to be elected. Registration will start at 9:00 am and the Caucus will begin promptly at 10:00 am. If anyone has any questions regarding the Caucus or would like to become involved with the Rochester Town Democratic Committee, please contact Carol St. Don at 508-763-2795.

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02:58:37 pm Marion Republican Committee

Categories: Marion

The Marion Republican Town Committee will conduct its next monthly meeting and caucus to select delegates for the upcoming April Republican State Convention on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion. New members are welcome.

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02:58:16 pm Gateway Babe Ruth Signups

Categories: General Sports

Gateway Babe Ruth is now accepting on line registrations for the 2010 Baseball Season. Players living in the towns of Carver, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Wareham who will be 13, 14 or 15 years of age before May 1, 2010 are eligible to play. To download registration forms, go to www.gatewaybaberuth.org</span>. Forms must be submitted by March 23, 2010. Tryouts will be conducted for each League. Dates are listed on the website. All parents are encouraged to volunteer their time to the Gateway League. For more information go to www.gatewaybaberuth.org</span>,

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02:57:59 pm Tri-County Music Association

Categories: General

The Tri-County Music Association has received a generous gift from Dino Pimental, West Wareham. The gift is a block of tickets to the upcoming Tri-County Symphonic Band concert on February 7, 2010 at 3:00 pm in the Gilbert D. Bristol Auditorium of the Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett. The tickets will be given out, free of charge by visiting the Tri-County Symphonic Band website: www.TriCountySymphonicBand.org. Tickets will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may also be purchased at the Bookstall in Marion and the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the concert.

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02:57:42 pm Lions Club News

Categories: Mattapoisett

On Wednesday, January 13, forty-three members and guests of the Mattapoisett Lions club enjoyed a special social evening out with a private tour of the Ocean Explorium in New Bedford, followed by dinner at a popular New Bedford restaurant. Special guests included Lions District Governor Ray Hebert of the North Attleboro Lions Club and second vice district governor Steve Rapoza from the Acushnet Lions Club.

• Upcoming events include a dinner cabaret scheduled for Saturday, March 20 at the Knights of Columbus hall on Route 6 in Mattapoisett, and the popular Senior Turkey Dinner on Saturday, April 24 at noon at the Congregational Church Hall. Harbor Days, which is scheduled for the third weekend of July, is already in the planning stages.

Some of our activities so far this year have included: volunteered at the Town's Heritage Days, donated 436 lenses to OneSight to be paired with lenses and distributed to third world nations, hosted a lobster dinner for the Wareham Gateman, established a scholarship committee, manned the concession stand at Mariner Soccer, donated 465 items to Project Shoebox which sends toiletries and non perishable items to troops serving overseas, provided hearing aids to needy seniors, donated 1200 pairs of eyeglasses to be sent overseas, built a wheel chair ramp, donated towards the purchase of an additional defibrillator at the local high school, hosted a Harvest Dinner and Antiques appraisal show, sponsored the Peace Poster contest at Old Hammondtown school with 80 participants, held an electronics recycling event, and collected canned goods and new toys at the town's Holiday in the Park. So if you are interested in joining a great social service organization whose motto is: " We Serve," please visit our website at www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org.

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02:57:24 pm ORR Youth Lacrosse

Categories: ORR

Registration is open for Old Rochester Youth Lacrosse Spring Season 2010. Tri-Town girls and boys Grades 1-8 are welcome. Go to the Old Rochester Lacrosse website to register. For more information, visit www. orylax.com.

You may also obtain information by contacting: info@orylax.com or amcintire@arm-co.com; Chris Donley at 508-763-0096; Andrew McIntire at 508-758-3803.

Interested in bringing Lacrosse to ORR High School? Contact Kristi Marshall at Kristi.marshall@comcast.net. ORYLAX is sponsored by the Mattapoisett Recreation Department.

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02:57:06 pm Mattapoisett Youth Baseball Registration

Categories: Mattapoisett

Registration for the upcoming 2010 Mattapoisett Youth Baseball Association - MYBA baseball season - began January 1. All registrations along with manager evaluations and payment must be postmarked by February 1.

Registration forms along with 2009 manager evaluation forms are available online at the MYBA website http://www.mybaonline.us. Registration forms and manager evaluation forms will also be distributed at OHS and Center School the week of January 4.

Evaluations for any players wishing to move up a division will be held on Saturday February 27. Any player wishing to move up from AAA to Minors or Minors to Majors must attend the evaluation. For additional information regarding registration and evaluations please visit the MYBA Website at http://www.mybaonline.us.

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02:56:50 pm Pan-Mass Challenges Tri-Town

Categories: General

Pan-Massachusetts Challenge gave $30,384,200 to the Jimmy Fund for a 30-year total of $270 million. The 2009 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) has contributed $30,384,200 to adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its August cycling event.

15 PMC cyclists, who reside in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester, raised $63,866 of the $30.4 million.

The PMC’s 30th year marked a total of $270,000,000 in funds raised for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The contribution represents 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar, a charity pass through rate nearly unparalleled within the $3 billion athletic fundraising event industry.

This PMC fundraising gift is the single largest contribution made to the Jimmy Fund in 2009, representing 50 percent of the charity’s annual revenue. The funds raised by the 4,937 cyclists of the 2009 PMC brings the organization’s 30-year total Jimmy Fund gift to exactly $270 million.

The 31st annual PMC is set for August 7 and 8, 2010. Registration opened online on January 12 for alumni and January 19 for newcomers. For more information about the Pan-Mass Challenge visit www.pmc.org.

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02:56:36 pm South Coast Chamber Music Society

Categories: General

The South Coast Chamber Music Society’s 10th anniversary season continues to present a legacy of great compositions with concerts at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 20, at St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion, and at 5:00 pm and on Sunday, March 21, at Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford at 3:00 pm.

Tickets may be purchased for $18 and ordered in advance by calling 508-295-2968, or at the door on the day of the concert. The box office opens 30 minutes before each concert. Attendees 16 and under are encouraged and admitted free of charge. Both concert venues are wheelchair accessible. For more information on SCCMS programs, ticket purchases, and directions please visit our website, www.southcoastchambermusic.org or call 508-295-2968.

These concerts are sponsored in part by the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

The South Coast Chamber Music Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring great achievements by presenting high quality chamber music to Greater New Bedford and the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts.

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02:56:19 pm Marion Natural History Museum

Categories: Marion

• Picnic in the Past – There will be a Friday evening program at the Museum on February 26, on the archaeology of Southeastern Massachusetts from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Bring your picnic blanket and sit back with the family to learn about who lived in our home before we did. Program partially funded by the Marion Cultural Council.

Upcoming After-school Programs:

• February 10 – Birds at the feeder. Let’s get to know who’s who at your bird feeder. Avid birder Mark Sylvia will introduce us to some of the more common birds we see at our feeder during the winter months.

• March 10 – Butterflies of the museum with museum director Elizabeth Leidhold. We will be looking at the museum’s historic butterfly displays and working on a project. Cost is $4.00 per child, $6.00 per adult or $10.00 per family.

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02:55:58 pm Tri-Town Early Childhood News

Categories: Tri-Town

Applications for project grow for the 2010/2011 school year will be mailed to families the first week of February. Enrollment is open to all children residing in the towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester who were born between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2007. If you do not receive your application by February 8, please call the Early Childhood Office to request one at 508-748-1863.

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02:55:43 pm Plumb Library News

Categories: Rochester

• Trustee Vacancy – The Trustees for the Joseph Plumb Memorial Library are seeking to fill vacant seats on the Board. The Trustees would like to invite members of the Rochester community who have an interest in libraries to contact Library Director Gail Roberts, either by dropping by the library, calling 508-763-8600, or emailing groberts@sailsinc.org. Anyone interested in becoming a Trustee is invited to attend the next meeting on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8:30 am.

Commitment to this Board is at least 1 to 2 hours per month. Meetings are usually held on the second Saturday of every month from 8:30 to 10:00 am throughout the year. Qualifications necessary to fill this post include a belief in the library and its role in the community and a willingness to advocate when necessary. For more information on the vacancy and the requirements, please come to the February 6 meeting, or contact Library Director, Gail Roberts, for more information.

• Toddler Storytime – There is still space available in the Toddler Storytime that takes place on Fridays at 10:30 am. Children ages 2 and 3, and their parents or caregivers enjoy stories,songs,easy crafts, and a snack. Pre-registration is required, and Rochester residents have first preference. Call 508-763-8600 or drop by the library to register.

• Café Parlez – In 2010, Cafe Parlez, the monthly book discussion group, will be going to the movies. Each book this year has been made into a movie, and participants can read the book and/or watch the movie. January's book is Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. This story about Chris McCandless who gave up all of his possessions and walked alone into the Alaskan wilderness to invent a new life for himself, was made into a film in 2007. We will discuss this book and movie on Thursday, January 28 at 6:30 pm. Books (both print and audio) and copies of the movie are available at the desk, or you can bring your own copy.

• The Genealogy Club meets every Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the library. If you are interested in researching your family history, or in looking into some aspect of local history, drop by the library to meet with the local historians.

For more information on these or any programs at the library, call 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.

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02:55:26 pm Mattapoisett Free Public Library

Categories: Mattapoisett

• Tax Forms Available – Federal tax forms are available at the library in the Reading Room. The staff can also help you copy or download forms that are not in the library in print format.

• We're on Overdrive – Are you interested in downloading books and music to your computer or MP3 player but not sure how? Stop by the library and ask the staff about the SAILS network's Overdrive ebooks. You can also visit the library's website www.mattapoisettlibrary.org</span> for access to the SAILS database. Click on Digital Books to see the hundreds of titles available for free – be sure to have your library card handy to log on and check out books and audio items.

• Read and Play Away – Don't have an MP3 player or iPod? The library circulates playaways, which are small MP3 players that hold one book each for listening. Supply your own headphones and you are ready to go! Great for listening while walking and exercising! The collection is near the audiovisual items near the Circulation Desk.

• Storytimes for the New Year – The Winter Story Time series has begun. Please call the Children's Department for more details at 508-758-4171. Family story time is the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 am. It is open to everyone, and families are encouraged to bring their favorite books to share.

• Chess Club – Students age 5 and up are welcome to Wednesday nights Chess Club! Beginners and more advanced players gather at 6:30 pm to play and share strategies. Everyone is welcome. Please bring your chess set.

• Lego Club – Meetings of the Library's Lego Club will kick off in March on a Saturday afternoon! Until then, donations of Duplos and Legos are needed. Have a Lego table you no longer need? Lego fans who would like to display their creations are welcome to speak with Mrs. Burke in the Children's Department.

• Young Adult Advisory Board – The next meeting of TOM, Teens of Mattapoisett, is Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30 to 7:45 pm in the Meeting Room. An enthusiastic group of junior and high school students from various schools are assisting the staff in developing the library's Young Adult program. Student who would like to get involved and help plan our programs and activities for young adults are welcome to participate! Contact Jan Bolton for more information at 508-758-4171.

• MFPL Book Discussion Group – The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library Book Discussion Group will be held Saturday, January 30 at 2:00 pm. The title to be discussed is "E. B. White" by Scott Elledge. Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the lively discussion of this interesting man of letters. Copies of the biography can be placed on hold through the SAILS catalog. Please ask the library staff if you need assistance reserving a copy.

The library is located at 7 Barstow Street in Mattapoisett. For additional information you may phone the library at 508-758-4171.

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02:55:09 pm Elizabeth Taber Library

Categories: Marion

• Winter Programs 2010 – Every day during the winter has Drop-In Crafts in the Children’s Room at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the activities.

• Tales for Twos – An 8-week series of story times for children between the ages of 24 and 39 months runs through February 24. The half-hour of stories, finger plays and crafts will be offered on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am. Children must be two years old by January 1, 2010 to attend and must be accompanied by an enthusiastic adult companion. Pre-registration is required by calling or stopping by the library, or e-mailing Rosemary Grey at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

• Story Time – A story time for children between the ages of 3 and 5 runs through the week of February 15. Children are invited to enjoy stories, finger plays and crafts on Monday mornings at 10:30. Pre-registration is required.

• Lap-Sit – A program for babies from birth through 23 months and their caregivers, runs through February 23. Each Tuesday morning program begins at 10:30 and includes a 20-minute “story time” followed by 20 minutes of socializing. One child per lap, please.

The Elizabeth Taber Library is located at 8 Spring Street in Marion. The phone number is 508-748-1252. More program information can be found on the library’s website at www.sailsinc.org/Marion.

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02:54:48 pm Shining Tides Preschool

Categories: Mattapoisett

There will be a Shining Tides Preschool Open House at the Mattapoisett YMCA on Tuesday, February 2 at 6:15 pm. This will be your chance to register your child for September preschool.

The event is the perfect opportunity to meet and speak with the Preschool Director, Tricia Weaver, along with other Shining Tides staff. You will be able to tour the Shining Tides facility and learn about everything that the preschool – a NAEYC accredited program – has to offer, as well as register your child for September.

For more information, contact Tricia Weaver, Shining Tides Preschool Director, at 508-758-4203, ext. 101, or e-mail tweaver@ymcasouthcoast.org. The Mattapoisett YMCA is located at 38 Reservation Road, Mattapoisett.

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02:54:33 pm Mattapoisett Town Clerk News

Categories: Mattapoisett

2010 Census – The 2010 Town Census forms will be mailed shortly to every household. Please review to be sure that the information is correct, sign, date and return to the Town Clerk’s Office, either by mail or in person. If you have a dog, there is a license renewal form on the back of the census form. Fill in the information and return with the appropriate fee and a 2010 license will be mailed to you. During the next couple of months you will also be receiving a Federal Census Form. Federal Census is conducted every 10 years. This is different from the Town Census and also needs to be responded to as soon as possible.

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02:54:19 pm Marion Town Clerk News

Categories: Marion

• Marion Annual Street Listing 2010 (census) forms are being mailed out this month. Please complete the forms as soon as possible and drop them off at the Town House, 2 Spring Street or mail them back in the enclosed envelope.

These census forms are very important for the town as State aid is based on the numbers returned. The Annual Street List is compiled from this information. No children under the age of 16 are placed in the street list. However, it is very important that children be noted on the census form for school and state purposes, but again, no children under the age of 16 are placed in the street list.

Also, please note that a separate Federal Census form will be arriving around the same time. It is important that both Marion Annual Street Listing and Federal Census forms be filled out and returned as soon as possible. We thank you all in advance for your cooperation.

• 2010 Dog Licenses are now available at the Town Clerk’s office. Please stop by or use the application which will be with the Annual Street List form making sure to read the instructions carefully as incomplete applications will be returned. People over 70 years of age do not have to pay for one dog license fee but are still responsible for showing current rabies information.

Please call the Town Clerk’s office at 508-748-3502 with any questions you may have.

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02:53:57 pm Rochester Town Clerk News

Categories: Rochester

• Dog Licenses – It is now time to renew your dog’s licenses for 2010. Licenses are available in the Town Clerk’s office. The fee is $7.00 for spayed and neutered dogs and $10.00 for intact animals. Mass. General Laws require you to have current rabies information in order to obtain a dog license.

• Annual Town Election – The Annual Town Election will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Nomination papers are now available for candidates for the following positions: One Selectman, three years; one Highway Surveyor, three years; two Constables, three years; one Board of Health member, three years; one Board of Assessors member, three years; two Planning Board members, five years; two Library Trustees, three years; One Cemetery Commission member, three years; one Park Commission member, three years; one member of the Rochester Memorial School Committee, three years; one member of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee for three years. The last date for taking out nomination paper for this election is Wednesday, February 24, 2010. If you have any questions, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508 763 3866.

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02:53:38 pm Marion Tax Collector Notice

Categories: Marion

Marion Tax Collector Gary J. Carreiro would like to remind residents that third quarter Fiscal Year 2010 Actual Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due Monday, February 2, 2010. Taxpayers may make payment online at www.marionma.gov through eBill having their payments directly withdrawn from their checking or savings account or alternatively mailing their payment to the Town of Marion 2 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738 or make payment directly at the Town House Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.

If you are unable to locate your payment coupon, please call the Tax Collector’s office for the amount due.

According to Massachusetts General Law, failing to receive a tax bill does not relinquish the requirement to pay the tax bill, which will result in penalties, charges and interest for late payment. Please contact the Tax Collectors office at 508-748-3504 or 508-748-3505 with any questions that you may have regarding your bill.

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02:52:58 pm Mattapoisett Taxes Due

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Town Collector Brenda Herbeck announces that the third quarter of the 2010 Actual Tax Bills are due February 1. Tax bills were mailed on December 31, 2009.

Taxpayers are encouraged to register for making on-line payments on the eBill website at www.mcc.net</span>. By using eBill taxpayers can have their payments withdrawn from their checking or savings accounts at minimal cost. Taxpayers also can make payments on eBill with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards for a small service fee. Payments can be made using eBill until 11:59PM on the due date of February 1. Other options for taxpayers are to mail their payments to P.O. Box 1596 or deposit payments in the mail slot located near the back corner of Town Hall.

Payments are due in the Collector’s Office no later than 4:00 pm on February 1, therefore, taxpayers should allow sufficient time for mail travel when mailing payments. If paying by personal online banking, taxpayers should allow sufficient time for the bank to generate a check and mail it to the Town. Taxpayers should supply sufficient information on the check identifying which bill should be credited with the payment.

According to State statute failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the requirement to pay the tax bill and any resulting penalties and interest if the payment is late. Interest accrues at a rate of 14% per annum on bills not paid by the due date. It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure taxes are paid on time and in full. New owners should contact the Collector’s Office immediately if they have not received a tax bill.

Please call the Collector’s Office at 508-758-4100, ext. 1 for questions regarding payments. The Collector’s Office is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Questions regarding property values and abatements should be directed to the Assessors’ Office at 508-758-4100, ext. 3.

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02:52:39 pm Marion Art Center Winter News

Categories: Marion

Membership to the Marion Art Center is open to the public. Dues and donations are tax deductible. Members also receive discounts on theater and concert tickets, class tuitions and special events, as well as receiving the quarterly Newsletter, and invitations to gallery openings. Patrons are included in playbills and other publications. For more information, call the Marion Art Center office.

• Winter Members Show – The Winter Members Show is on display now in both galleries at the Marion Art Center. The exhibition runs until February 24.

• Rehearsals – Rehearsals are underway for the Marion Art Center’s spring play, Rumors by Neil Simon to be produced March 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 7 at 4:00 pm. Directed by Deborah Bokelkamp, this hilarious adult comedy features Michel Letourneau, Jay Gould, Kim Teves, Ric Teves, Nancy Sparklin, Jay Ryan, Mark Letourneau, Ruth Olson, Stephanie Caron and Jeffrey Gateley. Tickets are $15 for MAC members and $20 for non-members. Reservations are recommended. Tables are available for parties of 4 or more. 508-748-1266.

• Auditions for Imagine: an American Girl Musical Revue to be produced June 4, 5, and 6, will be held on Sunday, March 14 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. This family show calls for 2 men, 4 women, and 8 girls (ages 8 – 14). The production is made up of skits and songs based on the American Girl characters: Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha and Molly. Wendy Bidstrup and Nancy Sparklin are the directors.

• Valentine Tea Party – Reservations are now being accepted for the Valentine Tea Party at the Marion Art Center on Saturday, February 6 at 3:00 pm. Children and adults will enjoy entertainment based on an American Girl theme with music and a skit, do a hands-on crafts project, plus fancy food and fun. Tickets are $15 for MAC members and kids, $20 non-members. Seating is limited. Please call 508-748-1266 by February 1 to reserve a table for this special event.

The Marion Art Center is located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets in Marion.  Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Admission is free. Membership is open to everyone interested in supporting, promoting and enjoying the visual and performing arts.  For information call 508-748-1266 or visit www.marionartcenter.org</span>.

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02:52:22 pm Great Decisions at Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is sponsoring “Great Decisions,” a national civic education program and publication of the Foreign Policy Association. All interested members of the SouthCoast community are invited to come take a seat at the table and discuss the challenges to the global order, major issues that cut across national boundaries, and how world events will impact and shape American lives.

Published annually, the “Great Decisions” briefing book highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans today providing essential background information, relevant facts, current data, and policy options for each of the eight issues and serves as the focal text for discussion groups.

This is a unique opportunity to join in and discuss policy topics and meet interesting people. Great Decisions takes you beyond the headlines by providing a look at the most significant and far-reaching challenges.

Please consider joining us in 2010. Our discussion group shares diversity of opinion. The discussion group meets for 90 minutes on eight consecutive Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. The next meeting will be February 3.

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02:52:07 pm Rochester Woman’s Club News

Categories: Rochester

The next meeting of the Rochester Woman's Club will be held on Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 pm, at the Clubhouse, located at 37 Marion Road (Route 105) in Rochester.

This meeting will be the annual Rochester Woman’s Club potluck dinner. Please bring a main dish. Beverages and dessert will be provided by the Club. Everyone is encouraged to dress in red and bring a valentine gift to exchange. We will have a brief meeting at 6:30 pm and dinner will be at 7:00.

Our Christmas party in Onset was a great success. The food was fabulous and the company was great. Thank you Justin and Sarah for a great time.

The Rochester Woman's Club is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated helping those less fortunate than us. We welcome all women from any town. For information about the club, call Nancy at 508-654-6621.

Please join the Rochester Women’s Club for a Valentine meeting and potluck dinner, or just stop by for a glass of cheer and see some friendly faces.

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02:51:54 pm Nasketucket Bird Club

Categories: General

On January 28, at 7:00 pm the Nasketucket Bird Club will present its first program of the year – “Bird Talk” by Professor Allen Powers. He will present a conversation about Winter Birds, discussing the watching, listening and replying to birdcalls, as detailed in his interesting book, Conversation With Birds. Mr. Powers is a professor of English at Bristol Community College. The Nasketucket Bird Club meetings are held at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Please use the south door entrance. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. For more information, call the club president Mike LaBossiere at 508-863-5658.

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02:51:39 pm Pan Neubean Steel

Categories: Mattapoisett

On January 28, the PTA Arts and Humanities will welcome PanNeubean Steel to both Center and Old Hammondtown Schools. PanNeubean Steel showcases the Steel Pan’s musical versatility – providing us with a sample of Caribbean (reggae, soca, calypso), Afro-Caribbean, Contemporary, Jazz, Soul, Fusion and Classical music styles. Their energetic, positive attitude and esteem-enhancing approach will delight as well as serve as a model for all children and adults. We look forward to presenting the music of warmer climates during these cold winter days -- making this an unforgettable fun and entertaining event! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

This program will entertain Mattapoisett children at the Center School at 10:00 am and 1:15 pm at the Old Hammondtown School on January 28.

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02:51:21 pm Marion Artist has Exhibition

Categories: Marion

Marion artist Joan DeRugeris will have an exhibition of recent work at the Maxwell Mays Gallery at The Providence Art Club, in Providence RI.

Influenced by a recent trip to North Africa, this body of work depicts villages and vistas transposed onto canvases as painterly abstractions with figurative references to a different culture and time.

Using patterns, forms, colors and textures found in this part of the world, Ms. DeRugeris breaks down the elements while still keeping the feel of the subject matter. Oils and acrylics with occasional pastels are used to execute the impressions.

The show opens with an artist reception on February 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The show runs through February 26. The Providence Art Club is located on Thomas St in Providence RI. For more information, visit providenceartclub.org

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02:51:02 pm Marion Family Ice-Skating

Categories: Marion

Family ice-skating time at the Tabor Academy Ice Rink for the 2009/2010 season will be from noon to 2:00 pm on the following dates: January 31, and February 7, 14, 18, 21, and 28. The cost of admission is $3 per person.

Skate at your own risk! Hats, gloves and skates are required for anyone who is on the ice. Helmets are required for inexperienced skaters and children under six.

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02:50:46 pm Cape Cod Half-Marathon

Categories: General Sports

The 2010 Cape Cod Half-Marathon Trilogy Race Series kicks off on February 28 at the Hyannis Half Marathon in Hyannis, Massachusetts. This is the second half-marathon in the series called "Great Hyannis.”

The “Johnny Kelley Half-Marathon” will also take place in Hyannis, Massachusetts on May 28 during the Memorial Day weekend. The Half-Marathon honors the great marathoner, Johnny Kelley, who won the Boston Marathon twice.

The inaugural 2009 Cape Cod Half-Marathon Trilogy Race Series was a huge success. Information on the 2010 series, including who raced all three marathons in 2009 and who won or placed in the top ten in 2009, can be found at www.baevents.com.

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02:50:25 pm Hospice Annual Spaghetti Supper

Categories: General

The 12th annual Community Nurse and Hospice Care’s Spaghetti Supper will be held on Saturday, January 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at St. Francis Xavier School at 223 Main Street in Acushnet. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years old and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Please join Community Nurse and Hospice Care for good food including spaghetti with sauce, bread and dipping sauce, salad, dessert and beverages! This fun evening out will also include a 50/50 raffle and a chance auction with over 25 prizes! All proceeds from this event will benefit the patients and families of the agency’s Hospice Program.

Community Nurse and Hospice Care is dependent upon donations and fundraisers to support their hospice program. As you may imagine, terminal illness is challenging to both patients and their families. The agency is committed to not only providing medical care, comfort and dignity to hospice patients, but also to offsetting the financial burden that families may endure after health insurance reimbursements have been exhausted.

The proceeds raised from this event will be used to care for hospice patients including the cost of the hospice staff, medical equipment and supplies, medications, and bereavement support not covered by health insurance.

For tickets or more information, please contact Linda Quinn, Fundraising Coordinator, at 508-992-6278, lquinn@communitynurse.com, or 508-992-6591 (fax). For more specifics about Community Nurse and Hospice Care, please refer to www.communitynurse.com.

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02:50:10 pm Gallery X

Categories: General

Call for art with the theme of “Sex at the X”. Submission fees are $35 for 3 pieces or $15 per piece. Drop off dates are until January 31, 11:00 – 3:00 pm. The exhibit will take place from February 3 – February 27, with a reception on Saturday, February 6, from 7:00 – 10:00 pm.

• The Audible Think Improvised Music Series at Gallery X returns for the 2009/2010 season with performances on the third Wednesday of each month from February to May. The series presents improvised music, jazz, avant-garde, and original compositions by musicians from around the region and those on tour.

This series, directed by Andy McWain and presented by Gallery X, a local/regional artist cooperative and gallery, is made possible, in part, with the support of a Whaling City Sound grant. A special thanks to Neal Weiss for his support.

This month's Audible Think takes place on February 3 at 7:30 pm. $5 suggested donation.

• Lore Lounge – Live soul, jazz and spoken-word is featured at Lore Lounge, which is an alcohol-free show with live jazz and soul, hosted by Phillip Aaron, Mwalim and The Bass Mint Bros with featured spoken-word artists, singers and open mic. This program meets the fourth Friday of each month at 8:30 pm. The suggested donation for Lore Lounge is $5. More info call 508-566-6269 or email mgmulti@gmail.com.

Gallery X is located at 169 William Street, in the heart of New Bedford’s Upper William Street Arts District in the historic 1855 First Universalist Church. Our hours are Wednesday thru Sunday from 11:00 – 3:00 pm, and on the second Thursday of every month from 5:00 – 9:00 pm with exhibits and programming as one of the venues for AHA!

Gallery X is a contemporary art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artists, which promotes a mission of cultural outreach through community partnerships, educational programs, and monthly exhibits. Gallery X is a non–profit, tax–exempt organization. Visit us online: www.galleryx.org</span>.

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02:49:55 pm Old Colony Nature Photo Contest

Categories: Tri-Town

The 2010 Green Fair to take place March 20 from 10:00 to 4:00 pm at Old Colony Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, sponsored by The Environmental Advocates for Massachusetts, Southeast (TEAMS) and the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA), is having a photo contest. This year the winning photo will represent “Nature in Transition.”

Were you ever inspired by that moment as a butterfly emerged from a cocoon? Or as the ice began to glaze over in a cranberry bog? Have you enjoyed migratory birds taking to the sky? Show us what natural events inspired you and share that with others!

The rules are simple: No more than two entries per person. Each entry must be an 8 x 10 photograph, un-framed and un-matted. Each entry should represent the theme of “Nature in Transition” and must be taken somewhere within Southeastern Massachusetts. Be sure to list your name, address, telephone number, email, where and when the photo was taken on the back of your photo. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to allow TEAMS to reserve the right to use any and all contest entries for educational and promotional purposes only.

Entries must be submitted by March 3. You may mail your photograph to TEAMS, PO Box 898, Lakeville, MA 02347. Drop off locations will be available by January 4. If you are mailing your entry, we recommend you protect the photo(s). Photos will not be returned.

The winning photo will be displayed prominently at the Green Fair on Saturday, March 20 between 10 and 4:00 pm. If you have any questions about the contest, please email TEAMS at teams-info@hotmail.com or check out our website at www.teams-on-web.org.

Admission to the Green Fair 2010, in our fourth year, is free. Join us and you will learn how the actions of individuals like yourself can impact the health (water flow and volume, cleanliness, wildlife viability) of our watershed and our global environment in general. Learn how to have a positive effect on our environment. Join us at the Fair.

TEAMS welcomes participants desiring to display environmental friendly products or services, or watershed-oriented studies or projects and volunteers willing to lend a hand on the day of the 2010 Green Fair. Please contact TEAMS at teams-info@hotmail.com. Space is limited so please reserve ASAP. For additional information about TEAMS or the 2010 Green Fair, visit our website www.teams-on-web.org</span>. For information on TRWA please visit www.savethetaunton.org.

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02:49:35 pm Lipsky-Whittaker Grants Available

Categories: General

The Lipsky-Whittaker Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA) is seeking proposals for grants to support projects focused on either gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth or HIV/AIDS prevention, education and treatment. Applications, which are available at the CFSEMA website, are due in our office at 63 Union Street, New Bedford, by March 31, 2010. Please visit www.cfsema.org</span> to download the application form. Projects must be focused within the following geographic area: Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham, Westport.

The Lipsky-Whittaker Fund, created by the John J. Lipsky Charitable Trust, believes strongly in making strategic investments for the well being of the Greater New Bedford Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) community and in combating HIV/AIDS through prevention and education. The Fund encourages collaboration among individuals, groups and organizations interested in ending bigotry, violence and discrimination towards GLBT individuals and families, as well as promoting respect and inclusion as fundamental to the Greater New Bedford community’s values and actions.

Since 1995, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. CFSEMA is a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern – improving the quality of life in Southeastern Massachusetts.

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02:49:22 pm Habitat for Humanity Dinner

Categories: Tri-Town

The Mission Committee of the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven is sponsoring a benefit Spaghetti Dinner for Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. It will be held on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 pm. Learn what Habitat for Humanity is all about with a special guest speaker at 7:00 pm.

Dinner will be held in the Church Hall at 34 Center Street, in Fairhaven. Please use the William Street entrance. Purchase tickets at the door or call 508-993-3368 to make your reservation. The Spaghetti Dinner Donation is: $10 Adults, $5 Children 5-12, Under 5 free, $25 for a family of 4.

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05:54:35 pm Strong Wind Brings Limb Down on Prospect Rd

Categories: Marion

Heavy winds caused a large tree branch to split and land in the middle of Prospect Road in Mattapoisett around 2:45 pm on January 25, 2010. The Highway Department worked quickly with chainsaws while traffic waited to move. Photo by Anne O'Brien-Kakley.

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12:46:59 pm Pan Neubean Steel at Center and Old Hammondtown Schools

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

On January 28, the PTA Arts and Humanities will welcome PanNeubean Steel to both Center and Old Hammondtown Schools. PanNeubean Steel showcases the Steel Pan’s musical versatility – providing us with a sample of Caribbean (reggae, soca, calypso), Afro-Caribbean, Contemporary, Jazz, Soul, Fusion and Classical music styles. Their energetic, positive attitude and esteem-enhancing approach will delight as well as serve as a model for all children and adults. The Mattapoisett PTA looks forward to presenting the music of warmer climates during these cold winter days - making this an unforgettable fun and entertaining event! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

This program will entertain Mattapoisett children at the Center School at 10:00 am and 1:15 pm at the Old Hammondtown School on January 28.

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