Give the Gift of Art
Annual Open Studio Holiday Sales
21 Cove Street and
88 Hatch Street
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cove Street, (508) 996-3077 Hatch Street, (508) 996-2579

Following from the momentum of the 2nd Annual New Bedford Open Studios event, Cove Street and Hatch Street Studios in New Bedford will again join together for a special holiday shopping experience. The opening is on Friday December 1st 5pm - 9pm with food, music and fun. The sale continues on Saturday December 2nd, 10am-5pm and Sunday December 3rd, 11am-4pm.

If you are tired of the ordinary from Big Box stores visit Cove and Hatch Street Studios and you will find unique gifts created by over 50 well-known New England artists and artisans. Some of the brightest art and craft work in the South Coast region is to be found just inside the dark red brick walls of these two historic mill buildings. For sale will be ceramics, textile designs, silk and shibori scarves, jewelry, wearable art and accessories, stained glass, furniture, prints, paintings, drawings, sculpture, toys, tiles and much more!

The many artists sharing studios in these vast buildings make these vibrant places to visit. Come see for yourself during the annual festive open studios holiday sale!

Artists participating at Cove Street include, Abbie Chambers, Alison Bruun, Amy Schusser, Barbara McDowell, Ben Martinez, Caroline Doherty, Chelsea E. Bird, Dante Vena, Jenny Woolf, Joyce Utting Schutter, Karen Minati Snyder, Kiré, Kristin H. Furtado, Len Shartle, Lisa Blier, Marc St-Pierre, Mark Millstein, Maura Cronin, Megan Thomas, Nancy Alexander, Nancy Hayes, Nicole St-Pierre, Sallycakes, Sarah Morse, Shara Porter, Sheilagh Flynn, Shelley Cardoos, Steve Remick, Susan Alderman, Susan Gilmore and Temple Fawcett.

Artists participating at Hatch Street include but not limited to: Adirondack Casual Furniture, Jim Anderson, Lori Bradley, Charles Cann, Chrissy-Ann Ceramics, Alma Cummings, Scott Currier, Patricia Daughton, Hollis Engley, Lisa Feiteira, Chad Frownfelter, Michael Hecht, Pat Kellogg, Judith Klein, Sally Lacey, Michelle Lapointe-Morris, Cathy Martz, Martha Moffitt, Michael Pietragalla, Sandi Pietragalla, Sabrina Satkin Jewelry, Yelena Sheynin and Carol Vincent.

The 21 Cove Street Studios are located at the east end of Cove Street in the South End of New Bedford near the hurricane barrier. Signs and holiday lights will direct visitors to ample parking. The studios are on the second floor. For additional information call (508) 996-3077.

The Hatch Street Studios are located north of Coggeshall St., turn onto Bellville, 1.2 miles turn left onto Hatch St. Signs and holiday lights will direct visitors to ample parking on left. The studios are on the 3rd and 4th floors. Manned elevator available. For additional information call (774) 201-9445.

NEW ENGLAND FAST FERRY CO. TAKES CUSTOMER SERVICE TO
THE NEXT LEVEL WITH NEW KIDS RIDE FREE PROGRAM
Kids under 12 ride free with adult fare -- now until May 14, 2007
NEW BEDFORD/MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MA (November, 2006) - - The prize for outstanding family-friendly attitude and best customer service has to go to New England Fast Ferry Company, Inc. for its new program which allows children 12 years old and younger to ride free on its deluxe high speed ferry when accompanied by a paying adult.

The New England Fast Ferry Co. (NEFFCo) is making it easy and convenient for families to enjoy the fall, winter and spring cruises between its homeports of New Bedford and Martha’s Vineyard aboard its New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard Express Ferry. The company’s one-hour ferry service is the only year-round high speed ferry service between the Vineyard and New Bedford. Now parents, grandparents and kids can enjoy the many shops, restaurants and attractions of Martha’s Vineyard, and residents of the island can discover the art, museums, shopping, dining and more that historic New Bedford offers.

“There are real benefits to being able to bring children along when you visit communities with so much to offer as New Bedford and Martha’s Vineyard,” says Michael Glasfeld, president of New England Fast Ferry Co. “The parents and grandparents can introduce their kids to the places they love or they can discover new things together. Martha’s Vineyard is famous for its picturesque towns and New Bedford is so rich in culture and history. Of course, New Bedford is also a great jumping off point for visiting other places like Newport, Providence and Boston.”

The New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard Express Ferry “kids ride free” offer is not to be combined with any other promotion or school program. The Vineyard Express ferry does offer reduced fares to school sports teams on Martha’s Vineyard and on the SouthCoast. The New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard Express Ferry is a service of the New England Fast Ferry Company LLC, one of Massachusetts’ most experienced fast ferry companies. Visit the New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard Express Ferry Web site at www.mvexpressferry.com or call toll free 866-MVFERRY for the easiest and most convenient way to book reservations and purchase tickets.

New park in Berkley, MA!
The park is named the BRIDGE VILLAGE HERITAGE PARK.
It was created by the Berkley Historical Commission, it is located at 70 Elm Street at the southeast abutment to the Berkley-Dighton Bridge. This park is the perfect place for canoers and kayakers to set their boats in. Motor boats and boats in tow are prohibited. It is also an ideal place for fishermen, picnickers, historians, and children.

A "Whale of a Weekend!"
November 9-12, 2006
NEW BEDFORD, MA - Join us November 9-12, 2006 for a "Whale of a Weekend!" celebration of America's Whaling Heritage, the 50th anniversary of the 1956 New Bedford world premiere of John Huston's classic film "Moby Dick" and the 10th Anniversary of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park!  Presented by several New Bedford cultural and historical organizations and the City of New Bedford, the weekend promises something for everyone–from maritime history buffs to Hollywood enthusiasts!

"Whale of a Weekend!" includes:
Thursday, November 9th (AHA! night)

6pm - "Whale of a Procession" including Kobo the blue whale puppet, whaleboat crews, and live music.
6:30pm - Opening of the exhibit "From New Bedford We Set Sail" at the New Bedford Whaling Museum - free to the public

Friday, November 10th

8pm - In keeping with the feeling of 1956 New Bedford, the Zeiterion presents "Doo Wop at the Z". Tickets: $39

Saturday, November 11th

11am - "Moby Dick" Movie Memories - New Bedford Whaling Museum    
2 & 7pm - The Zeiterion presents the classic film "Moby Dick" in celebration of the 50th anniversary of New Bedford's 1956 world premiere. Tickets: $5.50 (at the 1956 price).
9pm-12am - New Bedford Preservation Society's Gala "Gam" at Union Square (174 Union Street) Fabulous food, drink and entertainment). Ticket: $50/person (proceeds to support the Society's advocacy & programming).

Sunday, November 12th 

11am - "Whale of a Cake Contest" at the Whaling Museum to celebrate the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park's 10th birthday.
Ahab look alike Contest.
1pm - an illustrated talk "Moby-Dick, Myth and Memory" with Arthur Motta (from New Bedford's Office of Travel & Tourism) at the Seaman's Bethel
2pm - New Bedford Whaling Museum and Descendents of Whaling Masters present "A Voice from the Sea: A Life Spent Among Whales"
with Dr. Roger Payne.

On June 26, 1956 the Standard Times' front page declared "a coronation-type crowd of 35,000–the largest in official memory–roared warm welcome to the principals of "Moby Dick" on their arrival here last night to kick off the world premiere." For 3 days, the city of New Bedford was alive with festivities to celebrate the star-studded triple opening at the State Theatre (Zeiterion), The Empire Theater, and the New Bedford Theatre. From Ahab beard-growing contests, to whaling regattas, parades, parties, ads proclaiming "A Whale of a Sale", and dances, thousands celebrated the whaling heritage of the city and the arrival of the film's director, John Huston, and its leading actor, Gregory Peck. This movie version of Melville's masterwork captured the popular imagination. Across the nation and around the world, Yankee whaling during New Bedford's golden age of sail shone from the silver screen through Hollywood's lens.

Today, the City of New Bedford continues its century old celebration and preservation of its whaling heritage. This year, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park celebrates its 10th anniversary.  Established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America's 19th century whaling and maritime history, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is the only National Park Service area established to commemorate the whaling industry and its impact on the economic, social and environmental history of the United States.  The park encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District and is managed in partnership with state and municipal agencies, and nonprofit cultural institutions and organizations that preserved the city's whaling history long before the park's establishment. 

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the anchor institution of the National Park. Established in 1907 by the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, it is the leading interpreter of the global story of whaling. Through interactive exhibitions and an expanded array of public and education programs, the Museum is an important resource for the exploration of the region's industrial, ethnic, and cultural history.

The Zeiterion Theater is Southeastern Massachusetts' historic Theater for the Performing Arts. The Theater is a restored 1923 vaudeville house located in historic Downtown New Bedford and has a seating capacity of 1,267. Open year-round, the Theater offers an ambitious schedule of world-renown artists and productions in dance, jazz, classical music, and theater, as well as popular artists, and family and youth programming.

The New Bedford Preservation Society is a non-profit 501-C, that has for 30 years worked to protect, preserve and promote properties and landscapes of historical and architectural significance throughout the city. The Society is renowned for its annual holiday house tours and spring garden tours. They also provide technical services to homeowners and offer lectures, outreach and a popular Historic Marker program.

For more information about the "Whale of a Weekend", contact Jennifer Gonsalves, National Park Service Chief of Visitor Services, at 508-996-4095 x 14. For tickets to the movie Moby Dick, contact the Zeiterion Theater box office at (508)994-2900 or purchase tickets online at www.zeiterion.org. For tickets to the Gam, contact the New Bedford Preservation Society at 508-997-6425.