The South Coast Insider - March 2018

MARCH 2018 Vol. 22 / No. 3

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CONTENTS In every issue

4

From the publisher

24

Dateline: South Coast

by Elizabeth Morse Read

COVER STORY

6 A simple Irish feast

10

22

by Elizabeth Morse Read

MARCH 2018

THINGS TO DO

14

Tastebud trip

20

Taking flight

by JOYCE ROWLEY

by ASHLEY LESSA

ON MY MIND

30

Cold month, hot takes

by Paul Kandarian

Mrs. Mary Murphy’s marvelous menu

by BRIAN j. LOWNEY

Changing perspectives

by STEVE SMITH

BUSINESS BUZZ

12

Working alone… together

by ASHLEY LESSA

16 Old and new

by GREG JONES

ON THE COVER The South Coast is home to countless specialty grocery stores, like Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River. Turn to page 14 and prepare to feel your stomach start to rumble! To learn more, visit portugaliamarketplace.com.

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

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FROM THE PUBLISHER March 2018 | Vol. 22 | No. 3 Published by Coastal Communications Corp.

Saint Patrick’s Day is certainly a celebration of

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ljiljana Vasiljevic

green, but we here on the South Coast know that the

Editor Sebastian Clarkin

first color to look for when looking for spring is the red

Online Editor Paul Letendre

bulbs poke their heads up from the soil, the brown of

Contributors Greg Jones, Paul Kandarian, Ashley Lessa, Tom Lopes, Brian J. Lowney, Elizabeth Morse Read, Joyce Rowley, Steve Smith

away.

The South Coast Insider is published monthly for visitors and residents of the South Coast area and is distributed free of charge from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay.

on the tree-tips as we drive down the road. Before the the woods around us will slowly but surely start to fade

We are, therefore, a patient people. Which makes Liz Read’s tips for cooking the perfect corned beef dish right up our alley. It may take a little more effort, but the results are certainly worth it. Before you set the table, turn to page 6.

All contents copyright ©2018 Coastal Communications Corp.

If you think Saint Patrick’s Day is similar to Christmas in that they should both

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable. Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.

recipes straight from the Emerald Isle. On page 10, Brian Lowney interviews

Deadline 20 days prior to publication.

suggestions on page 14. You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to feel like you’re

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Asia!

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However you choose to celebrate, have a happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Bring on

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P.O. Box 349 Fall River, MA 02722 Phone (508) 677-3000 Website www.coastalmags.com E-mail editor@coastalmags.com Our advertisers make this publication possible— please support them.

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

be held in our hearts all year long, then you’ll want to check out some delicious Mary Murphy, who is eager to share some culinary secrets.

The saying goes that everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day, but the reality is that in our region, the cultures and cuisines are legion. If you’re in the mood to celebrate our diversity, then follow Joyce Rowley’s grocery shopping dining in Portugal, on the coast of the Mediterranean, or all the way in South

the green!

Ljiljana Vasiljevic Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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COVER STORY

A simple

Irish feast

By Elizabeth Morse Read

For those of us who weren’t born Irish-American or raised on Saturday night boiled dinners, the appeal of a corned beef and cabbage dinner on St. Patrick’s Day is truly mystifying.

I’ve heard many non-Irish-Americans say it just looks gross, or that everything tastes too salty, or that the vegetables come out slimy or the meat is stringy, tasteless, and rubbery. And the above is indeed true – if your corned beef and cabbage dinner is not cooked properly!

You can’t just throw all the ingredients into a cooking pot and boil it death (although that was the go-to cooking method of my Irish relatives – “take a boil out of it”).

Creating the perfect corned beef and cabbage platter starts with the cooking method you choose.

As with all cheap cuts of meat, corned beef

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

must be cooked slowly for a long period of time to tenderize it and leach away the salt.

Some cooks choose to use a Crock-Pot/slow cooker to achieve this, but the end result is often a spongy, soggy meat heap. Others prefer to bake it in a low oven, but it often dries out and becomes tough as old boots.

The perfectly-cooked authentic corned beef can only be achieved by double-boiling it.

Taking the first boil out of it

Corned beef is a 3-5 lbs. fatty brisket that’s been brined with salt and pickling spices.

Keep your hot water running in your sink while you prep the meat (it’s messy), to

prevent clogging up your drain, and keep a large bowl nearby to collect all the discards and a dish towel to wipe your hands. Place a colander in your sink, then carefully slice open the plastic packaging and empty the meat into the colander and thoroughly rinse off all the liquid. Discard the cheap-o packet of pickling spices (they’re stale) – you’ll be adding your own homemade mix [see sidebar].

With a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut/ scrape away and discard the top layer of fat, then rinse the meat again with hot water to get rid of any remaining bits of fat. Put the meat in a large covered pot or Dutch oven,

cover it completely with cold water and a optional bottle of Killian’s Red Irish ale, add your prepared spices, and bring it to a full boil. Reduce the heat and simmer it, partially covered, on medium heat for about three hours.

Check the pot frequently while you prep your vegetables to make sure that it doesn’t boil over or run out of liquid. Add a bit more water, if need be, to keep the meat submerged and simmering. Poke the meat occasionally with a long fork, to release more salt and interior fat (and to keep it from stubbornly floating to the top), and skim off and discard any grease that rises. The whole corned beef will shrink noticeably as it slowly simmers, so don’t get impatient and turn the heat up and boil it to death to the point where the meat starts to separate into strings. There’s no way to make authentic corned beef in a hurry.

Arrange the slices on a serving platter and cover with foil until you’re ready to eat.

To boil or not to boil

Traditionally, a corned beef and cabbage dinner (or a Saturday boiled dinner) includes dense winter vegetables – carrots, turnips, potatoes, cabbage, and onions. These should all be peeled and/or cored, then cut into serving-size pieces – no whole potatoes or giant chunks of uncored cabbage need apply.

If you’re going to boil your vegetables with the corned beef during the second boiling, then add them as described below. Not all vegetables boil to doneness at the same rate, so it’s important that you add them to the simmering second pot of water in stages. Carrots take the longest to reach fork-tender because they’re the densest (add them first, 15-20 minutes after the sec-

Even some of the biggest fans of corned beef dinners don’t like their veggies boiled — so oven-roast them instead!

The secret: The second boiling

Time for the second boiling, which takes about an hour more, with or without the veggies [see below]. Again, keep that hot water running – pour the corned beef back into the colander in your sink to drain, discard your spice packet, spray down the inside of the cooking pot, and return the meat to the pot. (Spray down your colander, too.)

Cover the corned beef again with clean water, add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and a clean bay leaf, and bring to a second boil.

Cover and reduce to a simmer for about an hour, checking frequently as before.

Reserve two cups of this second-boil liquid for the “gravy” [see sidebar], then drain the finished corned beef in the colander and discard the bay leaf. (If this is your first time making corned beef, don’t freak out that the meat is bright red – the color is a result of the corning process, not under-cooking.)

Move it onto a washable plastic cutting board, let it set and cool for 15 minutes, then slice it crosswise against the grain – don’t just hack off stringy chunks lengthwise.

ond water reaches a boil), then the turnip and potatoes a few minutes later, then the onions. Carefully lay the cored sections of cabbage atop everything, cover the pot, and continue to simmer until the cabbage is steamed fork-tender. Remove the pot from the heat.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the cabbage quarters first to drain thoroughly in the colander, then place them on a separate serving platter. Do the same with the potatoes, carrots, turnips, and onions – try to arrange each vegetable separately on the platter instead of all in a jumble. You can keep everything on the platter warm and covered in aluminum foil in a preheated 200 degree oven. Tilt the vegetable platter carefully over the sink to drain off any excess water before you bring it to the table.

In other words, don’t just dump all the vegetables into the pot at the same time – you’ll end up with half-cooked carrots and mushy onions and cabbage. Think about clambakes – you always put the onions on Continued ON PAGE 9

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7

The spices of St. Patrick’s Day Herbs and spices contain volatile oils that go stale and flat very quickly. Never use the packet of pickling spices that come in corned beef packages – they’re tasteless and wholly inadequate to the task. Even the very expensive jars of pickling-spice mixes at the supermarket are stale!

So instead make your own fresh mix, wrap it in a tied cheese-cloth pouch, then discard it after the first boiling.

You want your mix to flavor the water and meat, not cloud it up, so crush the ingredients roughly (use the flat side of a knife), don’t pound them into dust! Here’s what you need for a 3-5 lb. corned beef pot. Make it ahead of time and store it in a sealed container in your refrigerator:

2 Tbsp. black peppercorns 3 Tbsp. mustard seeds 2 Tbsp. coriander seeds

n n n

Crush the above, then “toast” them in a frying pan for 3 minutes until fragrant.

Let cool, then add:

2 Tbsp. red pepper flakes 2 Tbsp. ground allspice 1 Tbsp. ground mace 2 med. cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces 4 med. bay leaves, crumbled 2 Tbsp. whole cloves, crushed 1 Tbsp. ground ginger

n n n n

n n n

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

Colcannon: A bit of green If you feel there’s not enough dark green on your St. Patrick’s Day table, make the Irish classic winter dish, colcannon, a potato-and-kale mash! Use a few of those boiled potatoes and mash them with chopped kale (microwave a frozen box), add chopped scallions or some of the boiled onions. If you don’t like kale, use some of the boiled cabbage, minced. Salt and pepper to taste.

A Final Touch Even with double-boiling, there’s still some fat in a St. Patrick’s Day banquet – so you won’t need to add any butter atop your veggies. But you may want to make a savory “gravy” with the reserved second-boiling liquid. Make a classic roux with butter and flour in a saucepan, gradually whisk in the reserved liquid until it starts to thicken, then stir in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or a teaspoon of prepared horseradish. Keep warm and drizzle over the sliced corned beef.

Corned beef hash One of the best things about a St. Patrick’s Day dinner is the leftovers. After they’ve cooled overnight in your refrigerator, cut leftover potatoes into small cubes, dice up slices of any corned beef that didn’t end up in midnight sandwiches, and chop up a bit of the cabbage and onions. Sautée in a few swirls of olive oil in a skillet until browned, salt and pepper to taste, and top each serving portion with a poached egg.

Continued FROM PAGE 7

the top layer so that you know when everything underneath is “done,” right? It’s the same with boiled dinners, whether corned beef or ham.

Roast your vegetables!

Even some of the biggest fans of corned beef dinners don’t like their veggies boiled – so oven-roast them instead! You’ll end up with a colorful platter of crisp, savory vegetables to make your boiled corned beef proud. You’ll still double-boil your corned beef as above, but you won’t have to deal with draining soggy vegetables. Even better, roasting your veggies is a time-saver – they can be prepped and roasted while the corned beef boils.

You’ll use the same root vegetables that would have boiled in the cooking pot – potatoes, carrots, turnips, onions – but you’ll be able to make a few upgrades, swaps, and additions if you roast instead. Use scrubbed but unpeeled quarters of red potatoes in place of peeled white boiling potatoes.

Instead of chunks of ordinary carrots, you can splurge on those multi-colored small carrots, scrubbed, unpeeled and whole, and even add some parsnips. If you’re not a fan of traditional green cabbage, substitute trimmed Brussels sprouts. Instead of quartered yellow onions, use 4” white pieces of leeks, sliced in half lengthwise.

You can also add square chunks of butternut squash, which would get hopelessly mushy if boiled. And if you like beets (which would turn your cooking pot water and boiled potatoes pink), you can peel, quarter, and oven-roast them! The trick is to cut all the roasting veggies to the same size (a bit larger than bite-size), so that they’ll all roast to the same “doneness” at the same time – soft on the inside and browned/crispy on the outside.

In a large mixing bowl, toss all the cut pieces in a few swirls of olive oil, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and a scant spoonful of your chosen seasoning – crushed rosemary, ground caraway, minced garlic, or paprika. Make sure every piece is evenly coated. Spread everything in a single layer on a rimmed non-stick cookie sheet, and roast in a preheated 425 degree oven for 2530 minutes, stirring/flipping pieces halfway through. Fork-test for doneness.

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COVER STORY

— Mrs. Mary Murphy’s —

Marvelous menu

R

elatives and friends of Catharine “Mary” O’Hara Murphy know that the longtime Swansea resident was blessed with a radiant smile and a delightful Irish sense of humor.

For many years, the 74-year-old mother of three and grandmother of five served at the Swansea Free Public Library, where legions of patrons of all ages were captivated by her warm personality, enthusiasm, and zest for life.

She still works two mornings a week at the library where eager patrons share news about new books and library events.

“I’ve been to Ireland more than 35 times,” Murphy begins, adding that she was born in England. Her mother came from County Roscommon and her father hailed from County Longford, both in the Irish Midlands. Her mother Ellen Kelly emigrated to England to study nursing, while her father James O’Hara left to find work.

“My grandmother Mary Anne Kelly lived in be 100 years old,” Murphy recalls, noting that the centenarian died in 1993 and traveled to Massachusetts in 1965 when Murphy and her husband Joseph, a retired professor at Bristol Community College in Fall River, were married.

“It was a huge deal,” Murphy continues, adding that her grandmother stayed with the family for a few months before traveling back to the Auld Sod.

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

By Brian J. Lowney

Murphy shares that what she remembers most about her grandmother is the woman’s devotion to the daily rosary and baking bread over hot coals.

The energetic woman fondly recalls traveling to America onboard the Queen Elizabeth I in 1953 with her parents and four siblings. Three additional children were later born in Massachusetts.

“The trip was such an adventure,” Murphy continues. “There were lots of activities for kids. It was wonderful.”

According to Murphy, the young family initially moved to Lee, Massachusetts and then to Pittsfield, where she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School.

“It was very difficult for us to emigrate here,” Murphy shares. “You always felt like the new kid at school. It was a hard adjustment. I felt different because I had a British

accent and I worked hard to get rid of it.”

According to Murphy, St. Patrick’s Day for the O’Hara Family was always viewed as a saint’s day, not one of partying and drinking.

“We wore green at school,” she continues, adding that her grandmother always sent pressed green shamrocks in the mail, along with colorful emblems to signify St. Patrick’s Day. “We didn’t have corned beef and cabbage,” Murphy continues with a grin, adding that her mother most often served lamb or roast beef on the special day.

“We said the rosary every night, and we went to Mass every morning during Lent,” the proud Irish woman continues. She adds that her father was a very religious man who brought his family to Benediction on Sunday afternoons.

“My father was a character and he was very funny,” Murphy remembers, adding that the religious man worked as a chauffeur for the Sisters of Providence for many years. “He was a storyteller and he loved people. No one was above him and no one was below him. He loved everyone.”

Murphy annually celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by hosting a big family Irish breakfast complete with Irish-style pork bangers, black and white breakfast pudding, traditional Irish brown bread, eggs, Irish soda bread, and her specialty, homemade scones.

Here are some of Mary Murphy’s favorite recipes to enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day!

A taste of Éire Irish Soda Bread Mix Together: 3 cups flour 3 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. baking soda ½ cup sugar

“Your Natural Path to Better Health”

n n n n n

Blend into dry ingredients: ½ stick butter. Cut in pats.

Add 1 cup raisins and 1 tablespoon caraway seeds.

Mix well & add to above ingredients.

Mixture will be sticky 1 egg (lightly beaten) 1¼ cup buttermilk Put in 8" round cake pan and make a cross on top about ¼" deep. Bake 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Currant Scones 1¾ cups all-purpose flour 3½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ cup white sugar ⅛ teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ cup dried currants or raisins ½ cup whole milk ¼ cup sour cream 1 egg 1 tablespoon milk

n n n n n n n n

Brown Irish Soda Bread 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups whole-wheat flour 1½ tsp. baking soda ¾ tsp. salt 2 cups buttermilk 1 tablespoon sugar (or a little more) Cooking spray

n n n

n n

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in large bowl. Cut butter in pats, and add to dry ingredients. Using hands, rub into dry ingredients until you have pea-sized lumps.

n n n n

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly spoon flours into measuring cups, level with knife.

Combine flours, soda & salt in a large bowl and stir with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture. Add buttermilk to flour mixture, stir until blended (will be sticky). Turn dough onto a generously floured surface and knead lightly 4-5 times. Shape into an 8-inch round loaf and place on baking sheet coated with spray. Cut a ¼-inch deep cross in top to dough. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 400 degrees. Bake 15 minutes or until loaf sound shallow when tapped. Cool on wire rack.

Stir in the currants.

Mix together the milk and sour cream in measuring cup. Pour all at once into dry ingredients and stir gently. Don’t overwork dough.

With floured hands, pat dough into ball 2-3 inches across. Place onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet and flatten lightly. Let scones barely touch each other.

Whisk egg and 1 tablespoon of milk, and brush the tops of the scones. (You can also sprinkle the tops with sparkling sugar) Let them rest for about 10 min.

Bake for 10-15 minutes in preheated oven until the tops are golden brown, not deep brown. Enjoy!

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BUSINESS BUZZ

Working alone…

together

By Ashley Lessa

According to 2016 Gallup data, 43% of employees work from home at least some of the time.

Those employees can feel bored and isolated.

Enter the emerging industry of coworking spaces – spots where professionals get to work alone, together.

“Every coworking space has its own mission. At Groundwork! it’s one of a casual collaboration.” This is what Dena Haden had to say about the coworking space she founded along with her friend, Sarah Athanas, in 2014. The space they created in downtown New Bedford is the product of a joint vision for an environment devoted to creative teamwork through office sharing.

Groundwork! (newbedfordcoworking. com) is located in New Bedford’s bustling downtown at 1213 Purchase Street. Their website describes the space as “An affordable and inspiring shared office environment for creatives, startups, and freelancers

12

March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

in New Bedford.” Members share office space, supplies, and often ideas, even though they typically are not employed by the same company.

Coworking spaces such as Groundwork! are popular among non-profit workers and startup owners in particular because of the low cost of overhead, the abundance of supplies, and an environment conducive to creativity and collaboration. It is easy to lean over to an adjoining desk and ask for a second opinion on whatever you’re working on.

“Coworking has been a great joy in my life,” said Jeremiah Hernandez, Program Manager for EforAll (eforall.org), a non -profit that helps startups in mid-sized cities grow into small businesses through training and mentorship. “There is nothing

like working in an office with exceptional people. Our success at EforAll is due in large part to the entrepreneurial ecosystem that Groundwork! has fostered, allowing us a great opportunity to provide our entrepreneurs with mentors and space to help build their companies.”

Working together

The South Coast is a hub of entrepreneurial activity, with more and more small business owners and artists making their homes in this creative, coastal environment.

As soon as Groundwork! opened its doors, the excitement over the space was apparent. “There are a lot of remote workers on the South Coast,” said Haden, citing another reason why Groundwork! has found success

here, mentioning that many people from this area work from home for companies in Boston or Providence.

Currently there are about 70 members at Groundwork!, but the activity level on any given day varies. “Most people don’t need to be in the space 9-5 everyday, so it fluctuates,” said Haden, adding that a day at Groundwork! may see anywhere from 10 to 50 members moving in and out.

The space is made for casual networking, whether you are chatting with another member over a cup of coffee or taking part in a Workbar event, a larger network that connects multiple coworking spaces.

However, there are also private meeting rooms and phone booths available for times when silence and privacy are essential to business. Haden emphasized that Groundwork! is for “anyone interested in connecting with the community or meeting new people. It doesn’t matter if you’re studying or if you just want to get out the house and work with clients.” In other words, there is no need to be super outgoing to reap the benefits of the space.

Dolores Hirschmann, CEO, strategist, and clarity coach at Masters in Clarity (mastersinclarity.com) as well as the director of TedX New Bedford, utilizes Groundwork!, in spite of having a beautiful home office to work from. She cites the meeting rooms available, along with the opportunity to network, as her primary reasons for joining.

“I do use Groundwork! a lot when I have meetings with clients. It has great energy,” said Hirschmann, mentioning that she once hosted clients there who had traveled from Argentina.

If you aren’t sure if you could utilize a space like Groundwork!, stop by and try your first day for free. “It will take you out of your home office into a community of awesome people whom you share no professional accountability with. The tension of a traditional office is alleviated and honest, kind, interesting interactions fill the free time in your work day,” said Hernandez. “Along with great locally-roasted coffee on tap, breakfast socials, pie day, and parade marching, Groundwork! makes going to the office easy and affordable.”

Haden encourages everyone to at least stop by for a day and give it a shot. “It’s something you need to experience in person to see the benefits of.”

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THINGS TO DO

Portugalia is a one-stop shop for any Portuguese dish you have the whim to whip up.

tastebuD TRIP

By Joyce Rowley

What do tabbouleh, veg biryani, and salt cod have in common?

They all can be found at authentic ethnic markets on the South Coast.

If you’re tired of shopping in a warehouse for your groceries or maybe need that special ingredient to make your Sambha taste truly Indian, take a trip to Fall River and sample some of the city’s specialty food markets.

Portugalia

This Fall River marketplace at 489 Bedford Street is anything but a Portuguese grocery store. Manager Michael Benevides, whose family built a 30-year relationship in the community selling wholesale Portuguese foods, has created a destination market for any Lusophile.

It’s not just that the store has all of the Portuguese comfort food imaginable. It’s that it’s sold in the Portuguese way.

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

Walking through the renovated mill building with exposed brick archways is like walking through an open air market. Bulk bins and displays of wares, racks of olive oil and canned fish sit between a salt cod room at one end of the building and a wine shop at the other.

Filling out the back are cases of freshmade chouriço, blood sausages, cured meats, and fresh and frozen fish. And of course there’s a café with a full menu of Portuguese pastries and sandwiches.

“Most of the product is from Portugal, about 75%. The rest is specialty foods,” said Benevides. “And we are constantly bringing in new product from trends in Portugal.”

“We wanted to expand our market to the larger community with Portugalia,” Benevides said. “But we pay homage to our

base customers with our salt cod room.”

The Benevides have been supplying the Portuguese community on the South Coast with salt cod for years. The glass-walled room allows shoppers to select their cod themselves.

“Salt cod is a national dish,” Benevides said. “It’s called O Fiel Amigo, The Faithful Friend, for its dependability.”

Coming to the New World, Portuguese fishermen settled from Gloucester to Newfoundland for the plentiful cod.

Portugalia’s cod is Scandinavian, Benevides said.

Marketplace hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information and directions, visit portugaliamarketplace. com.

Big Bazaar Indian Market

The Big Bazaar Indian Market at 856 North Main Street sits in an unassuming building that doesn’t give away its treasure trove of staples and treats from India.

“We wanted to find a place with our usual spices. We’re used to buying Indian spices and snacks, but couldn’t find any nearby,” said Big Bazaar Indian Market shopper Judy Tysmans of Wickford. Recent transplants from the Chapel Hill area in North Carolina, they Googled “nearest Indian grocery store” to find the Big Bazaar Indian Market.

“I was doing a baking recipe that called for saffron,” said husband Dirk. “It’s ridiculously expensive at grocery stores. I’m used to buying it in bulk.”

Big Bazaar Indian Market has saffron in bulk and much, much more. Curry that can run $5 for five ounces at a grocery store costs less than $2 per pound. And it’s from India, as are all of the products at the market, said Manager Paresh Mandeli.

“People come from all over, not just the Fall River area,” Mandeli said. “Everything is wholesale from India.”

The market has a small kitchen open from 12 to 7 on Fridays and Saturdays that serves chicken curry, veg biryani, veg sambha, pani puri, and other Indian vegetable and rice bite-sized snacks.

The market is also true to Indian shopping habits: it carries 20-pound bags of

Big Bazaar Indian Market holds a regional monopoly on authentic South Asian ingredients.

Daou Market covers the basics and also offers more eclectic selections.

flour – mostly wheat, but some lentil, many boxes of pre-mixed spices for Indian dishes, canned Indian fruits, chutneys, and ghee.

There’s even Indian junk food and basil seed soft drinks.

For vegetarians, it’s the place to go. Most food is vegetarian, if not vegan. There’s also a good selection of GMO-free organics like the 24 Mantra Organics brand, which are also socially responsible by supporting

20,000 small-farm Indian growers.

The Big Bazaar Indian Market is open from 9 to 9 daily. Call 508-567-4026 for more information.

Daou Market

No tour of ethnic fare in Fall River would be complete without a sampling of Mediterreanean flavors. At 1678 President Avenue you’ll find Daou Market, which has been serving its customers since 1999.

Beyond a facade of normal market selections – fruits, cereal, paper towels, diapers – you’ll soon discover what sets Daou apart: a selection of top-quality Lebanese and other Mediterranean goods.

Croatian chocolates? Check. Freshlyskewered kebabs? Of course. Enough meat pies, tabbouleh, hummus, and dolmas to set the table for the world’s largest Super Bowl (or World Cup) party? You bet.

But despite the exotic options, Daou may be best-known for its simplest item: baguettes baked in-house. Any regular knows it’s futile to try to walk out without a loaf once you’ve taken a whiff of that aroma. It’s the perfect complement to whatever meal you’ll be cooking up later on.

To learn more about Daou, visit daoumarket.com. And remember to take advantage of their catering services for when you want your next party to be one no one will forget.

The South Coast Insider | March 2018

15

BUSINESS BUZZ

Fab Flooring, Stone and Tile can set you up with the kitchen of your dreams.

Out with the old, in with the new

By Greg Jones

The doldrums of winter might be a good time to begin your spring remodeling plans.

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here’s not much else to do – it’s too cold to do outdoor carpentry, painting, or general fixing-up, and the short days mean you can barely get in a full eight-hour day.

So take a walk around and through your house. Take notes on what you like and what you don’t like. Do you want to just paint the living room or do you think you’d like to knock out a

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wall or put in a skylight?

The kitchen is a room dear to the hearts (and stomachs) of everyone in the house. Maybe you’re ready to take the plunge and completely remodel it.

Maybe this isn’t the year for a total revamp, but you might decide that paint, trim, and a new double sink with a disposal would be right.

Armed with your desired improvements, you’re now ready to match up the household

March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

budget with the remodeling plans. While you’re at it, honestly assess your skills (and spare time) to do the work yourself.

If you come to the conclusion that you would rather have a professional at hand, then the project now requires finding the right contractor for the job. With a little searching you should have no trouble finding several candidates.

From the ground up

Probably the first thing you need to know about Fab Flooring, Stone and Tile at 1068 Slade Street in Fall River, is that it’s about much more than flooring (fabflooring.net).

Sure, there’s a lot of flooring available for your remodeling project. “Flooring being carpet, vinyl, tile, luxury vinyl, ceramic, wood,” said Store Manager Eric Darling,“ but we also do bathrooms, wall tile, counters,

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ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY: PUTTING PRECISION TOOLS IN THE HANDS OF THE SURGEON

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f robotic-assisted surgery makes you think of characters from 1960s TV cartoons or science fiction movies, think again.

At Saint Anne’s Hospital, in Fall River, roboticassisted technologies are helping surgeons perform a wide range of common procedures more efficiently and more precisely than ever before.

Understanding robotic-assisted surgery A common misconception is that the “robot” is performing the surgery. In fact, the surgeon controls the movement of robotic instruments at all times. Here’s a snapshot of what’s available at Saint Anne’s: General surgery, prostate surgery and gynecological surgery: In 2017, Saint Anne’s introduced da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery for a wide range of procedures.

From hernia repair and colorectal surgery to prostate surgery and hysterectomy, the da Vinci system allows surgeons to perform intricate procedures through tiny incisions.

Seated at a special console with hand and

SAH Robotics spread FEB18.indd 2

foot controls, the surgeon moves the da Vinci’s robotic arms, which hold a small camera and instruments, to perform the procedure. The 3-D high-definition camera allows the surgeon to clearly see the area to be operated on, while the arms are highly flexible – more flexible

than the human wrist – so that the surgeon can easily and more precisely maneuver the instruments as needed.

Spine surgery: Patients with degenerative disk disease, fracture, or spinal stenosis now have a brand-new robotic-assisted option in spine care. Saint Anne’s became the first hospital in Massachusetts in late 2017 to offer advanced robotic-assisted technology that uses a GPS system for spinal fusion and other procedures.

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The Globus ExcelsiusGPSTM system uses robotics and a sophisticated navigation system, similar to that in a car, to guide the surgeon in performing spinal procedures.

Images that are taken before surgery are fed into the system to create a “map” of the patient’s anatomy. This “map” guides a robotic arm operated by the surgeon to the exact location for precise implant.

Joint replacement surgery: According to the National Institutes for Health, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the United States. Knee OA occurs in 10% of men and in 13% of women, age 60 years or older.

For patients of all ages with knee or hip OA, Saint Anne’s Hospital has led the way in the region by providing robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement. In 2011, Saint Anne’s became the first hospital in Massachusetts to offer robotic-assisted MAKO technology for partial knee replacement. In 2012, the hospital added MAKO for total hip replacement and, coming in spring 2018, will offer MAKO for total knee replacement.

Leading the way in robotic-assisted surgery With multiple robotic technologies now at their fingertips, surgeons at Saint Anne’s Hospital are helping patients get back to their daily lives more comfortably and more quickly than ever before.

From spine surgery and joint replacement, to hernia repair, hysterectomy, prostate surgery, and more, Saint Anne’s minimally invasive robotic technologies allow surgeons to use smaller incisions than those needed for laparoscopic or open surgery. This means less post-surgical pain, fewer complications, faster recovery, and an overall superior patient experience.

Before surgery, CT images are taken to create a patient-specific plan. During surgery, the system creates a 3-D, live-action view of the joint and matches the view to the presurgical plan. The robotic arm provides realtime feedback to help the surgeon achieve precise positioning and placement of the new implant. The end result is a more natural feeling joint. To date, Saint Anne’s orthopedic surgeons have performed more than 700 MAKO procedures.

“

With robotic-assisted surgery, there’s less exposure to radiation, less blood loss, and less tissue damage. This means we spend less time in the operating room and help patients enjoy a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and faster return to doing what they love.”

~ Charles Kanaly, MD, FAANS,

Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery and Medical Director of the Spine Center of Saint Anne’s Hospital demonstrating the Excelsius GPS Spine System

To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery at Saint Anne’s Hospital:

• Visit: saintanneshospital.org/services-directory/surgical-services.

• Email us at SAHMail@Steward.org.

saintanneshospital.org SAH Robotics spread FEB18.indd 3

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vanity countertops, back splashes, various types of wall coverings, but no wallpaper.”

Customers come to Fab Flooring as much for information as for flooring. Eric said that, “a typical question is, ‘I don’t like my floor, I want it replaced.’ What do you have?”

Fab Flooring does a lot of work for homeowners, of course, but they also have a long track record of commercial projects and new home construction.

“We do a lot of new construction all over the area, out on

of course. “Decorative glass tiles are trending, especially for backsplashes, showers, things like that,” he said.

A good example of developmental improvement is carpet tile. Now with patterns that look like “real” carpet, and a variety of complex patterns, new colors, and styles that offer a resilient feel, carpet tiles have truly evolved.

And then there’s loose-lay luxury vinyl tile. No glue, no smell, instant use. “The minute you put it in, you can walk on it,”

Compassionate and Comprehensive Care

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…the first thing we try to find is what they want to have done, what the size of the project is going to be, and what they want it to look like. the Cape, Providence, Easton, Boston… we go anywhere,” said Eric. “We just did a new lunchroom at St. Philomena School in Portsmouth, and we did carpet tiles in the Taunton courthouse.”

Whether we’re talking commercial or residential flooring, the business has gone far beyond the limited selection of years back. Eric has been in the flooring business for 38 years, has seen a lot of styles and materials come and go, but he still spots new trends and fashions.

“Right now one of the newest things is cement mosaic tile, in old-time Spanish or Indian patterns,” he said. “Another one of the big trends now is porcelain tiles that look like wood. It’s growing and growing.”

Tiles aren’t always ceramic,

said Eric. If a tile gets damaged, simply lift out the old one and replace it. What’s not to like about that?

More attention is being paid to ecological materials and adhesives, Eric noted, with “ecologically friendly” flooring definitely in the marketplace.

Buying flooring is simple: visit Eric, make use of his lifetime’s worth of expertise, and he will go to your house with a tape measure and give you a quote.

The type of subfloor can be important, so it’s good to have Fab Flooring involved in the decision process as early as possible.

“We have a couple of different trades who work with us,” said Eric, if someone comes in, wants a bathroom, we recommend a local plumber.”

EXPA N DED H OU RS MORE HOURS We listened to our patients who wanted expanded hours that were convenient for their schedule. We are open at 7 am during the week so that you can get care before heading to school or work.

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Clockwise Online Scheduling is available at hawthornmed.com. You can reserve your spot and wait at home instead of in our waiting room.

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Our Urgent Care providers ensure that you have comprehensive care when you are unable to see your own doctor for minor illnesses and injuries.

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We care for children age 10 and older. Please get a referral if required by your insurance for walk-in care.

Continued ON NEXT PAGE

The South Coast Insider | March 2018

17

Cottrell Bros. are happy to help make even your biggest projects manageable.

Continued FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Fab Flooring is, as noted above, about more than flooring – it’s about expertise. For a proof of their product, look them up on Facebook, where they regularly upload photos of their work.

A name to trust

“When You Demand the Finest at a Sensible Price,” is the slogan at Cottrell Bros. and the work they do shows this.

“When I start a project with someone, the first thing we try to find is what they want to have done, what the size of the project is going to be, and what they want it to look like,” said Jon Cottrell. He owns the general contracting business located at 35 Main Road in Tiverton (cottrellbrothers.com).

Once the design and goal are decided, it’s time to establish a budget. All other decisions come after the client has worked out how much they have to spend on their project.

“If you were to contact me out of the blue, generally you are responding either to a referral

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or to an advertisement,” said Jon. “From there it is a matter of listening and learning what your project is.”

Cottrell is a familiar name along the South Coast. Jon’s son, Ross Cottrell, runs Cottrell Bros., Inc., which operates out of offices at 360 Main Street in Fairhaven (cottrellbros.com).

Every job is different, but all the jobs have at least one common factor. “At the end of the job, I’ll be gone,” said Jon, “but the product, the project, will still be there. So it’s got to be right for you.”

Jon has another recommendation, one that he says is “most important. I ask our customers to get more than one quote, because you’re not buying a product – you’re hiring an individual or a company. You’re looking for someone who’s open enough to give you good advice on potential issues.”

There’s a lot of judgment and experience involved in the type of general contracting that Cottrell Bros. (as well as Cottrell Bros. Inc. in Fairhaven) undertakes. Jon has been involved with remodeling all his life. “I’ve

March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

been in the trade since I was a teenager. I’m pushing 40 years on remodeling.”

He stressed that, “In my business we don’t work from blueprints, per se. A new home building has blueprints, but I am basically going into a home with a homeowner. They have an idea, they have a goal, they’ve been in the house for a number of years, so they know what they want.”

Depending on the scope of your project, you may have need for skilled electricians, plumbers, or finish carpenters.

You don’t want to have to deal with a series of contractors, hiring and coordinating the work of several skilled trades.

The solution is to use a general contractor who will take care of that for you.

“Use us and we are the only phone number (401-824-7720) you need to call,” said Jon. “Our strength at Cottrell is providing the kinds of services that the customer is looking for. We offer a complete service. That’s what makes the difference for us. We coordinate all the different trades involved.”

Not-so-odd jobs

For smaller jobs and maintenance work, a full-service general contractor would be overkill. As any homeowner will tell you, owning a house means a pretty full calendar of chores, repairs, and maintenance. Paul Rousseau, owner of the aptly-named Odd Jobs My Specialty, located at

Paul Rousseau is on-hand to fix and improve just about anything around the house.

23 Milton Street in New Bedford, describes himself as a “home repairs and maintenance contractor.”

To hear him describe it, that covers anything from replacing hard-to-reach light bulbs to door locks to kitchen and bathroom remodeling. ”I don’t do big outside work, no roof work,” said Paul. “I do a lot of interior carpentry, finish carpentry, painting, trimming. If you own a home, there is always maintenance to be done. That’s what I do.”

He runs a one-man show. “I’ve had guys working for me and that can create more headaches. Now I have to watch

even in tough times, because I will take any job, no matter how small or large.” Since he’s the only employee, sometimes the job is too large, so “I send them to the local lumberyard and have them ask for referrals.”

There’s more to his success than simply taking on work.

“I have built up a trust with people,” he said. In his shop is a box full of house keys, given to him by his customers so they can just call him with a job that needs doing.

“I always do the very best I can,” he said. “I try to guide them to save money on their project in their selection of materials. People appreciate that.”

I stay on one job until it’s done. them as well as the job. I do the job myself because I know it will get done the way it should be done.”

Paul has been practicing his craft for “coming on 33 years,” he said. His apprenticeship, so to speak, began as young boy working with his grandfather.

“He did a lot of the same work and I learned a lot of how-to-do stuff with him.”

Paul started his working life in the usual way, working for a company, but “after getting laid off from three jobs for running out of work, I got cards printed and went door-to-door.”

That was not an easy way to make a living, but he stuck with it and after three years, “the business took off and was self-supporting.”

Odd Jobs My Specialty is now more than merely self-supporting. “I have always had work,

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His work philosophy is to only take on one job at a time. “I stay on one job until it’s done,” he said, because he thinks the work loses quality. “Some guys are running two, three jobs at the same time, using one job to pay for the other. That’s not how I work.”

Lately he says he has been doing a lot of kitchen and bathroom work, including one job pretty close to home. “I just did my kitchen for my wife about a year ago, and she absolutely loves how beautiful it is and enjoys cooking in it,” he said. “That makes me feel good.”

He’s a busy guy. “Right now, I’m booked up with work at least four or five months in advance,” he said.” I am grateful every day when I get up, I am grateful for the people who call.”

The South Coast Insider | March 2018

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THINGS TO DO

TAKING FLIGHT

PHOTO BY Greg Cormier

By Ashley Lessa

For many years, the New Bedford Regional Airport has served as a gateway to Cape Cod and the islands for locals and visitors alike.

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hile some stop by the airport to start their island getaway, some simply come to enjoy the grounds – to watch the planes soar into the sky from the playground or from the windows of the Airport Grille. As the years pass, more and more cars in the area seem to proudly showcase “EWB” stickers (EWB is New Bedford’s airport code) and over time, the little airport has become a focal point of the community. The airport continues to grow, and recently they have tackled a new endeavor: commercial air travel.

Taking FLIGHT

When Paul Barton, chairman of the New Bedford Regional Airport Commission, first suggested the idea a couple years ago, people were hesitant. After all, the process to start commercial flights is far from a brief one. In order for New Bedford to fly commercial airlines with more than nine

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

seats out of the airport, they would need to receive FAA-139 certification as well as TSA Federalization – a process that in total can take over two years.

Despite this, Barton believed that commercial air travel was important for the greater New Bedford community and its economy. New Bedford’s tourism industry has been developing in recent years, and the area has become a great place for both brief stopovers and destination visits. The leaders of the airport were aware of the need to work with these changes, and have partnered with Destination New Bedford to get the word out about their services.

Adding commercial service became a priority. “New Bedford had an underdeveloped economic engine,” said Barton, “and in order to develop it, we needed commercial service.” 139 certification was the next big step, but to apply, an airline would need to first express interest in flying out of the city. That airline was Elite Airways.

Barton explained how the idea to add commercial flights came about. “I was in Florida and I saw an ad in the newspaper for flights from Portland, Maine to Melbourne.

So I said if they can fly out of Portland, why can’t they fly from New Bedford?” He soon was knocking on Elite Airways’ door in Melbourne and asking how to get the process started. His determination would later pay off. Elite eventually wrote a letter of interest, and on July 1, 2017 the airport received their FAA-139 certification, and the green light to begin flights. They’re now one of only 23 in over 200 airports in New England to hold the certification (they had also held it previously before it lapsed in the 1990s).

With a new certification in hand, December 16, 2017 marked the first commercial flight to Vero Beach, Florida as part of a trial run that ended on January 1. It was a success. The majority of seats sold were filled, and staff at the airport report that the

travelers were pleased. Customers praised not only the convenience of flying close to home, but also the customer service. “We can do things that other airlines can’t” said assistant manager Michael Crane. As an example, he recounted a time when airport staff personally held umbrellas over passengers boarding a plane during a particularly bad rain storm. “You’re not just a number here.”

Touchdown

The trial run may be over, but the New Bedford Regional Airport is excited to continue commercial air travel in the near future. “Everybody – the city employees and the airport staff – is really grateful and pleased that Elite put their faith in the airport and in the city of New Bedford. It really worked out well,” said Barton.

For now, it’s a waiting game. Local airport officials are hopeful that a schedule for ongoing air service (potentially to an additional destination) will be released very soon. This hope looks promising. An article

by Colleen Wixon released in Florida news outlet TC Palm on January 25 notes that Elite Airways President John Pearsall said that he hopes to bring the Vero Beach routes back by the fall. In the meantime, “We’re ready,” said Barton. “We will do everything we can to work with them, and we’re interested in continuing service to and from New Bedford in the near future.”

Despite the wait, things at the airport are not slowing down. Soon, the new Island Shuttle will be starting service to the Cape and islands alongside Cape Air, giving customers more flight options than ever. Airport leaders are continually looking for ways to grow and expand their services and Airport Manager Scot Servis emphasized that the New Bedford Regional Airport is always open to suggestions. Their number is 508-991-6161 and the website is newbedfordma.gov/airport (a more consumer-friendly website is in the woks). You can also follow along with all airport happenings on their Facebook page @NewBedfordRegionalAirport. For those who would like to see service to Florida and beyond continue and grow, feel free to give Elite a call and tell them why you’d like to fly out of New Bedford in the future. Their number is 877-393-2510 and you can visit them online at res.eliteairways.net.

Annual Health Expo Thursday, June 21st 2018 from 11am-3pm Hosted by

Vibra Hospital of Southeastern Massachusetts invites you to participate in their Annual Health Expo scheduled for Thursday, June 21st 2018 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. The event will be held outdoors on our grounds (tables will be set up under tents). In previous years, we featured over 100 vendors from across southcoast’s areas of service.

This event is FREE to register and open to the public.

Southcoast Health Mobile Health Van will be on site providing free health screens.

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The South Coast Insider | March 2018

21

COVER STORY

The world-renowned New Bedford fishing fleet.

Changing perspectives

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outh Coast. The words roll off the tongue so effortlessly today that it’s hard to believe that they didn’t exist as our region’s brand barely two decades ago.

The name South Coast is an artifice – a new I.D. for a region that was tired of being disparaged and misunderstood. A new name for a fresh start. And it caught on.

South Coast is not a precise term like “the Town of Swansea,” which is clearly defined by “entering” and “leaving” signs. The South Coast region has no set boundaries.

If you asked the proverbial “man on the street” to locate the South Coast (or SouthCoast, if you prefer), you’d probably hear close to a consensus. You would likely be told that South Coast includes cities and towns bisected by or close to I-195 from Seekonk to Wareham passing through Fall

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

River and New Bedford. The most generous definition adds communities up Route 24 to Taunton and a smattering of Rhode Island communities isolated from the rest of their state by water. As far as this very publication is concerned, the South Coast is the region between Mount Hope Bay and Buzzards Bay. Asked to describe the component parts of the South Coast, you’d hear about cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, and natural features – as viewed from a car window. The mills of Fall River. The cobblestoned streets of New Bedford. The sprawling commercial developments in Seekonk, Dartmouth, and Wareham. And so on.

Allow me to suggest an alternate perspective on our region. It was not settled and developed by Europeans driving down Route 24 from Boston or I-195 from Providence. It was explored inward from the coast, with the primary viewpoint from the water.

When seen from that unique vantage point today, our region takes on an interesting and beautiful perspective. And its name fits perfectly.

Eye floaters

Viewing Fall River from Mount Hope Bay, you are immediately struck by the steep hills dotted with layers of houses and mill buildings in a colorful tapestry. The topography is exaggerated from your sea level perspective. The city’s dramatic profile belies much of the hardship you know resides within.

One additional advantage to your water perspective: you don’t have to look at the two massive and dreadful cooling towers at Brayton Point which dominate the view looking out from the city.

You enter New Bedford harbor through the 150-foot opening of the hurricane barrier and enter another world. Hundreds of fishing boats tied up in layers line both

sides of the harbor. Beautiful yachts can be seen on the Fairhaven side while a large freighter may be found unloading at the New Bedford state pier.

The fish houses, ice houses, boatyards, and crowded piers make the economics immediately obvious – all visual evidence why this is the number-one fishing port in the U.S., seventeen years running.

The quaint harbors of Padanaram, Mattapoisett, and Marion present the opposite impression. Lined with stately homes and filled with beautiful pleasure yachts, these ports are the antithesis of the economic hubs of Fall River and New Bedford.

The massive Green estate, once home to Hetty Green, is prominent on the western shore as you enter Padanaram. Historic Mattapoisett village buildings line the head of its harbor, while Tabor Academy hugs the western shore in Sippican (Marion) Harbor.

All are picturesque and unique.

Approaching Westport from Buzzards Bay, the dunes and beaches obscure the beautiful harbor and development within.

After snaking through a windy and sometimes tricky channel past the “Knubble” and Acoaxet neighborhood, the east and west branches of the Westport River present themselves as the most interesting coastal landscape in the region.

Numerous marshy islands, active farmland reaching down to the water, and historic Westport Point neighborhood are a few of the visual treats awaiting you.

The biggest surprise on our “view your region from the water” tour would be a boat trip up the Taunton River. As you venture north from the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, the familiar communities of Fall River, Somerset, Freetown, Dighton, Berkley, and Taunton suddenly don’t look so familiar.

The river narrows as you navigate upstream, and surprisingly you see less and less development until you reach the Weir neighborhood in Taunton. Kingfishers swoop along the water adding to the otherworldly experience. It’s not an exaggeration to say that stretches of the Taunton River evoke Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.

Looking inward from the waterside of our South Coast communities makes the familiar seem new and undiscovered. Make friends with a boat owner and give it a try.

You won’t be disappointed.

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The South Coast Insider | March 2018

23

DATELINE: SOUTH COAST

News, views and trends…

from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay

by Elizabeth Morse Read

It’s time for all things green! Spring and longer days (change your clocks on March 11) will be back soon and, with it, St. Paddy’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day, and Easter!

Across the Region Don’t miss the spectacular St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newport on March 17, rain or shine! For more info, go to newportirish.com.

The Elite Airways round-trip flights from New Bedford Regional Airport to Vero Beach, Florida during the holiday season were so successful that additional service to Vero Beach is now being scheduled for spring and summer, as well as to other popular travel destinations. Stay tuned!

Stay in shape and engaged with your community – find out what’s going on at your local YMCA! For schedules at all locations, go to ymcasouthcoast. org.

The Salvation Army is always willing to accept your bagged/boxed donations – clothing, books, furniture, and housewares. To schedule a free pickup, go to satruck.org/pickup.

Southcoast Health and the Buzzards Bay Coalition have created “Discover Buzzards Bay,” an initiative to promote active outdoor recreation. A series of guided monthly outdoor walks, called “Sunday Strolls,” and an online portal with information about more than 100 public places to walk, birdwatch, kayak/canoe, fish or cross-country ski, can be found at savebuzzardsbay.org/discover – and check out thetrustees.org and massaudubon. org.To learn more about state parks and wildlife refuges in Rhode Island, go to riparks.com or stateparks.com/rhode_island.

The goal of the environmental advocacy group Hands Across the River Coalition (HARC) is ridding the Acushnet River and greater Buzzards Bay environment of deadly industrial contaminants like PCBs, dioxin, and heavy metals, which pose serious risk to public health and the South Coast’s ecology. HARC meets on the last Wednesday of every month, and the public is invited to attend. For monthly meeting locations and more info about HARC, call 508-951-1184 or go to harcgnb@gmail. com.

24

March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

Starting this spring, Panera Bread at the Dartmouth Mall will be offering delivery service to nearby residences and businesses. Panera Bread franchises will be testing delivery service at its other South Coast locations throughout this year.

Fill your baskets with local produce, baked goods, and greenery! To find a farm, vineyard or winter farmers market near you, visit semaponline.org, pickyourown.org, farmfresh.org, or localharvest. org. To find food and wine events, go to coastalwinetrail.com or ediblesouthshore.com.

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III delivered the Democratic Party’s nationally-televised rebuttal to the President’s State of the Union address from the automotive body shop at Fall River’s Diman Regional Voc-Tech High School!

Saved by the bells! The iconic tower bells of St. Lawrence Martyr Church will remain in New Bedford, thanks to a grassroots fund-raising drive.

A new fundraiser is underway to build a public bell tower so that the bells can be heard throughout the city once again.

Acushnet Talk a walk through the Acushnet Sawmills public park and herring weir! Canoe/kayak launch, fishing, trails. For info, visit savebuzzardsbay.org.

Attleboro The Attleboro Community Theatre will perform “American Strippers” March 2-4. For more info, call 508-226-8100 or go to attleborocommunitytheatre. com.

Check out the Capron Park Zoo – sign the kids up for Zoo Classes! Call 774-203-1840 or go to capronparkzoo.com. Or stroll through Mass Audubon’s Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Center! For more info, call 508-223-3060 or visit massaudubon.org.

Bristol

The historic First Baptist Church on Williams Street has been purchased by WHALE (Waterfront Historic Area League) and Your Theatre, giving the theatre its first permanent home, and ensuring the much-needed restoration of the building.

Take a walk through Blithewold Mansion and Gardens – plan ahead for “Gateway to Spring” starting in mid-April! For info, call 401-253-2707 or go to blithewold.org. Or visit Linden Place Mansion, the setting for the movie The Great Gatsby. For info and reservations, call 401-253-0390 or visit lindenplace.org.

Southcoast Health’s St. Luke’s Hospital is now the only hospital south of Boston to offer Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT), a new non-drug intervention for adults with severe asthma, which dramatically improves quality-of-life and reduces asthma attacks.

Eat Fresh, Eat Local! Head for the Mount Hope Bristol Winter Farmers Market at Mount Hope Farm on Saturdays 9 to 1. Cash, credit card, SNAP/ EBT, WIC and senior coupons accepted. For more info, go to farmfreshri.org.

New Bedford got rave reviews as a travel destination in The Manual, a lifestyle website for men. Read all about it at themanual.com.

Find out who’s playing at the Stone Church Coffeehouse at the First Congregational Church.

For info or tickets, call 401-253-4813 or 401-253-7288.

Start making your summer festival plans now!

The Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival will return on July 21 at Fort Taber! For info and tickets, go to foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.

Check out the 18th-century Home and Hearth Workshops at the Coggeshall Farm Museum!

For details, visit coggeshallfarm.org or call 401-253-9062.

Dartmouth Enjoy the outdoors at the Lloyd Center for the Environment! Take the little ones to “Nature Discovery” on the third Saturday each month. For details, call 508-990-0505 or visit lloydcenter.org.

Or take a stroll through Paskamansett Woods, a nature reserve operated by the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust. For more info, visit dnrt.org.

Tell your healthcare provider you want Catholic Memorial Home.

Go on a free guided “Sunday Stroll” on March 4 at Paskamansett Woods in Dartmouth, sponsored by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Southcoast Health.

For more info visit savebuzzardsbay.org/events.

Mark your calendar for the monthly Paskamansett Concert Series at the Dartmouth Grange Hall.

Joanne Doherty will perform on March 10, Jon MacAuliffe on April 14. Call 401-241-3793, or visit paskamansettconcertseries.weebly.com.

Don’t miss the South Coast Chamber Music Series – “Chiaroscuro” will be performed on March 11 at St. Peter’s Church in South Dartmouth. For more info, call 508-999-6276 or go to nbsymphony.org.

1

Reserve your tickets now to see a performance of “The Music Man” at Bishop Stang High School on April 26-28! For more info, call 508-996-5602.

Maple Sugaring is returning to the Dartmouth YMCA, March 3, 10, and 17. The Sweet Science of Maple Sugaring programs will consist of hourlong tours that start at 9, 10, and 11a.m. All tours will include tree identification, history of maple sugaring, sap collection, tasting, and sugaring. Just drop in! All tours will be held rain or shine.

Easton Eat Fresh! Eat Local! Head for either the Marketplace at Simpson Springs (508-238-4472) or the winter farmers market at Oakes Ames Memorial Hall (508-230-0631) on Saturdays. For more info, go to semaponline.org.

Find out what’s happening at the Easton Children’s Museum! For info, call 508-230-3789 or visit childrensmuseumineaston.org.

Fairhaven Put on your dancing shoes! Head for the First Congregational Church on the third Saturday each month, 7-10 PM, for social ballroom dancing!

Beginners welcome. For reservations and info, call 401-230-3420 or go to dtdballroom@gmail.com.

If you’re interested in the history of Japan-America ties, visit the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship House, where it all began. Go to wmfriendshiphouse.org or call 508-995-1219 for details.

Find out what’s happening in Fairhaven! Take the kids to the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 29 at Livesey Park! For info on tours, events, and historical sites, go to fairhaventours.com or call 508-979-4085.

Continued ON NEXT PAGE

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Continued FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Mark your calendars! The new Huttleston Marketplace will be set up on the lawn of Fairhaven High School every Saturday from 10to 4 from midJune through Labor Day! Local artisans, crafters, antique dealers, and food producers will be selling their wares. For more info, call 508-979-4085 or go to fairhaventours.com.

Get in shape with low-impact Plio-Barre classes at the Fall River Library on Thursday evenings – bring your yoga mat! For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page, call 508-324-2100 or visit fallriverlibrary.org.

Fall River

The Narrows Center for the Arts has a fabulous lineup – there’s Birds of Chicago March 2, Entrain March 10, Pat Travers Band March 17, The Smithereens March 24, Blue Oyster Cult March 31, Cowboy Junkies April 7, Eric Clapton Tribute April 14 – and more! For a complete schedule, visit narrowscenter.com or call 508-324-1926.

Check out the “Fall River Portraits” exhibit of UMass Dartmouth and Diman Regional High School student photography on display at the Staircase Galleries at Fall River’s Government Center through May.

Stroll through the special exhibits at the Great Fall River Art Association! ”Maritime” will be exhibited March 5 to April 30. For more information, go to greaterfallriverartassociation.org or call 508-673-7212.

Sharpen your skates (or rent them) and head for the indoor Driscoll Skating Arena! For more info, go to fmcicesports.com or call 508-679-3274.

Bristol 26

March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

Mattapoisett At long last, the Lebanese Kitchen Restaurant will open by May 1!

Eat Fresh! Eat Local! Head for the winter farmers market at Old Rochester Regional on the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month. For hours and more info, go to semaponline.org.

Explore the trails, wildlife and scenery of the Mattapoisett River Reserve – leashed dogs welcome. Hike, bird-watch, cross-country ski! For more info, go to savebuzzardsbay.org.

Middletown

Bundle up and go on an expert-guided seal watch and nature cruise from Borden Light Marina (75 minutes) through April! For information and registration, call 401-203-7325 or go to savebay.org/ events/seals.

Eat Fresh, Eat Local! Head for the Middletown/ Aquidneck Growers Winter Market at Newport Vineyards & Winery on Saturdays 9-12:30. Cash, credit card, SNAP/EBT, WIC and senior coupons accepted. For more info, go to farmfresh.org.

Enjoy the weather! Explore nature trails or historic landmarks, join a walking group – learn more at walkfallriver.org or call 508-324-2405.

Get in touch with nature at the Norman Bird Sanctuary! Check out the after-school programs. For details, call 401-846-2577 or go to normanbirdsanctuary.org.

The Fall River Public Library hosts free afternoon movies (and popcorn!) every Wednesday at 1 p.m., in addition to showings on Monday nights. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page or visit fallriverlibrary.org.

Here’s a fun alternative to the same old Easter Egg Hunt! At the Audubon Environmental Center at 1401 Hope Street, children ages 3 to 10 hunt for brown eggs in a natural setting and quickly learn how well the eggs camouflage. Prizes are awarded to all children, with grand prizes given to the finders of the “golden eggs.” Please bring a basket. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the Egg Hunt starts promptly at 10 a.m. Advance registration is required. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org.

Plan ahead for the Sippican Choral Society’s spring concert “Songfest of Show-tunes!” on April 28 at St. Gabriel’s Church. For details, call 508-763-2327 or go to sippicanchoralsociety.org.

Check out what’s playing at the Little Theatre of Fall River! “The Bad Seed” will be performed March 15-18 at the Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College. For more info, go to littletheatre.net or call 508-675-1852.

Find out what’s going on at the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River! For info, go to cmgfr.org or call 508-672-0033.

Don’t miss the Fall River Symphony’s performance “The Titan” on March 4 at the Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College! For info and tickets, call 508-678-2241 or go to fallriversymphony.org.

Marion Don’t miss the South Coast Chamber Music Series – “Chiaroscuro” will be performed on March 10 at St. Gabriel’s Church. For more info, call 508-9996276 or go to nbsymphony.org.

Plan ahead for the Tri-County Symphonic Band’s performance of “March Mania!” on March 18 at Tabor Academy. For info and tickets, go to tricountysymphonicband.org.

Find out what’s going on at the Marion Arts Center!

“Barefoot in the Park” will be performed March 16-18, 22- 24. For info, call 508-748-1266 or go to marionartcenter.org.

New Bedford Enjoy fresh local foods year-round! Visit New Bedford’s Indoor Winter Farmers Market at the Times Square Atrium every other Thursday 3-6:30 through June! Credit, debit, and SNAP accepted; free parking at the Elm St. Garage with validation.

For dates and more info, call 508-817-4166 or go to destinationnewbedford.org.

Check out the exhibit “Scapes: Placemaking in the 21st Century” at the New Bedford Art Museum/ Artworks! through March 11. For more info, call 508961-3072 or go to newbedfordart.org.

Enjoy the weather at Buttonwood Park! Take the kids to see the “Science on a Sphere” and the new “Rainforest, Rivers and Reefs” exhibits! Don’t miss the Wildlife Education Series on The Importance of Bees March 1. Call 508-991-6178 or visit bpzoo.org.

Gamers, team-builders and mystery-solvers!

Head for the “Mass Escape” in downtown New Bedford! Groups of 4-8 people can work together to prevent a nuclear crisis or solve a murder mystery.

For more info, go to MassEscapeRoom.com.

Enjoy FREE family fun and entertainment on AHA! Nights.” The March 8 theme is “I Am New Bedford: History, Herstory, Ourstory.” The April 12 theme is “Sustainable South Coast.” For details, go to ahanewbedford.org or call 508-996-8253.

Sharpen your skates (or rent them) and head for the indoor Hetland Skating Arena! For more info, go to fmcicesports.com or call 508-999-9051.

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Stop by the UMass Dartmouth University Art Gallery until March 15, where you’ll find the latest exhibit by artist Diane Samuels: “The Whale and Other Texts.” Centered around an almost fifty-foot-long piece meant to evoke the nearby ocean, the artist has sought to echo and amplify the major themes of Melvillve’s Moby Dick. A formal reception will be held on March 8 from 6 to 9. Visit facebook.com/UMassDartmouthGalleries or email gallery@umassd.edu for more information.

Mark your calendars for Your Theatre’s production of “Six Degrees of Separation” March 15-18, 22-25.

For a complete schedule, call 508-993-0772 or go to yourtheatre.org.

Newport

Take a stroll through the urban greenspace of the Allen G. Haskell Public Gardens! To learn more, call 508-636-4693 or go to thetrustees.org.

Bundle up and go on an expert-guided seal watch and nature cruise from Bowen’s Wharf (60 minutes) through April! For information and registration, call 401-203-7325 or go to savebay.org/ events/seals.

Learn about American military history at Fort Taber-Fort Rodman and the museum! For info, call 508-994-3938 or visit forttaber.org.

Get your ice skates sharpened and head to the outdoor Newport Skating Center! For schedule and info, call 401-846-3018 or go to skatenewport.com.

Explore the whaling-era mansion at the RotchJones-Duff House! For more info, call 508-997-1401 or go to rjdmuseum.org.

Enjoy a dinner-theatre night out at the Newport Playhouse! “Remember Me?” will be performed through March 25. “Exit Laughing” will be performed March 29 to May 12. For more information, call 401-848-7529 or go to newportplayhouse.com.

Visit the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park! For more info, go to nps.gov/nebe.

And while you’re there, visit the Whaling Museum and the Seamen’s Bethel! For more info, visit whalingmuseum.org or call 508-997-0046.

If you’re a fan of Americana and roots music, check out “Music in the Gallery” at the Wamsutta Club – For tickets or info, go to brownpapertickets.com/ events or contact korolenko8523@charter.net.

Plan ahead for the “Movie Night Pops Concert” performed on March 31 by the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra at the Zeiterion! For info and tickets, visit nbsymphony.org.

Hear Gloria Steinem speak on May 19, presented by the New Bedford Lyceum, at the Zeiterion!

And get your tickets early for “West Side Story,” performed by the New Bedford Festival Theatre July 20-29! For tickets and info, call 508-994-2900 or go to zeiterion.org.

Stroll through Ballard Park! Don’t miss the Spring Equinox Hike March 24! For more info, call 401-6193377 or go to ballardpark.org.

Ready to go daffy? Plan ahead for all the events of the 5th Annual Newport Daffodils Days Festival April 14-22! No metered parking! For details, go to newportdaffydays.com or discovernewport.com.

Plymouth Eat Fresh! Eat Local! Head for the winter farmers market at Plimouth Plantation on the 2nd Thursday each month. For hours and more info, go to semaponline.org..

Sharpen your skates (or rent them) and head for the indoor Armstrong Skating Arena! For more info, go to fmcicesports.com or call 508-746-8825.

The Lebanese Kitchen Restaurant will reopen at its new location in Mattapoisett by May 1!

Continued ON NEXT PAGE

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Continued FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Find out who’s on stage at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts of Greater Plymouth! There’s Susan Cattaneo & Chuck McDermott March 2, Robbie Fulks March 3, The New Motif March 9, Divas with a Twist March 10, Grace Morrison & Sarah Blacker March 16, Grayson Hugh & The Moon Hawks March 17, Sarah Polenza 23, Satisfaction: Rolling Stones Tribute March 30, Jon Butcher Axis April 7, Boston Band Invasion April 13 – and jazz and blues jam sessions on Wednesdays! For tickets and info, call 508-746-4488 or visit spirecenter.org.

Portsmouth Get back to your musical roots at Common Fence Music! Don’t miss Anais Mitchell on March 24, Trio Da Kali April 7. For a schedule and info, call 401-6835085 or go to commonfencemusic.org.

Check out the Newport Car Museum! Sixty-plus vintage cars and driving simulators! For more info, call 401-848-2277 or visit newportcarmuseum.org.

Providence Rhode Island College’s Performing Arts Series presents talented musicians, actors, dancers and artists for all to enjoy! Plan ahead for Dublin Irish Dance March 13 and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet on March 21! For a complete schedule of events, go to ric.edu/pfa or call 401-456-8144.

Spend an afternoon in the galleries at the RISD Museum! And check out the courses, workshops and “tours for tots”! For details, visit risdmuseum. org or call 401-454-6500.

Check out who’s playing at “Live Music at the Bliss” at the Bliss Four Corners Congregational Church! For info, call 401-624-4113 or visit blissfourcornerschurch.org.

Enjoy the new theatre season of The Wilbury Group in Providence. “The Flick” will be performed March 8-24. For more info, call 401-400-7100 or visit thewilburygroup.org.

Wareham

Find out what’s on stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center and The VETS! Don’t miss “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” through March 4, “An American in Paris” March 13-18, Red Hot Chilli Pipers March 18 – and more! For details, call 401421-2787 or go to ppacri.org and vmari.org.

The RI Spring Flower and Garden Show will be held at the RI Convention Center April 5-8! For more info, go to ribahomeshow.com or tradeshowz.com.

Explore the Children’s Museum in Providence! Go to childrenmuseum.org or call 401-273-5437.

Rehoboth Reserve your tickets now for the Arts in the Village performance at Goff Memorial Hall by the Daurov/Myer Duo on March 24. Plan ahead for the Haven String Quartet April 28. For more info, go to rehobothantiquarian.org.

Local singer Teddy Matthews will be competing on ABC’s “American Idol,” which premieres on March 11. Judges will be Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

Take a free “Mindfulness Walk,” sponsored by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Anchor Yoga, on March 17 at the Great Neck Conservation Area in Wareham. For info and directions, go to savebuzzardsbay.org/events.

Stay fit this winter with Yoga with Laura at the Boys and Girls Club in Wareham! For a schedule and more info, call 508-295-7072 or go to onsetbay. org.

Mark your calendars! The Wareham Oyster Festival 2018 has been scheduled for May 27. For more info, go to warehamvillage.org or onsetbay. org.

To plan your activities in the Wareham area, go to warehamvillage.org or onsetbay.org.

Swansea

Warren

Listen to the Rhode Island Philharmonic performance of Beethoven’s Seventh on March 16. For info and tickets, call 401-248-7000 or go to riphil.org.

Check out the South Coast Game Fest at the Swansea Mall on March 10-11! Family-friendly board games, game tournaments and NERF battles at Mastermind Adventures. For more info, call 508974-4263 or go to southcoastgamefest.com.

Check out what’s playing at 2nd Story Theatre!

“Talley’s Folly” will be performed March 9 to April 8.

Call 401-247-4200 or go to 2ndstorytheatre.com.

Discover The Barker Playhouse on Benefit Street, the oldest continuously-running little theatre in America! Don’t miss “Twelve Angry Jurors” March 9-11, 16-18. Visit playersri.org or call 401-273-0590.

Eat Fresh! Eat Local! Head for the year-round farmers market at Stony Creek Farm on Sundays.

For hours and more info, call 401-465-4832 or go to semaponline.org.

Mark your calendar for the Festival Ballet Providence’s performances of “The Little Prince” on March 3-4 and 11. For more info, call 401-353-1129 or go to festivalballetprovidence.org.

Taunton

Check out the schedule for Brown University’s Theatre Arts & Performance Studies Department – don’t miss “Erratics” March 1-4, 8-11. For info and tickets, call 401-862-2838 or go to brown.edu/taps or brown.edu/tickets.

Sharpen your skates (or rent them) and head for the Alex & Ani City Center! Check out the bumper cars! For more info, call 401-331-5544 or go to theprovidencerink.com.

Sports fans! Watch the Providence Bruins or the PC Basketball team in action at the Dunkin Donuts Center! And don’t miss Monster Jam March 9-11! For more info, call 401-331-6700 or visit dunkindonutscenter.com.

Head for Trinity Rep to see “Othello” through March 18. “Native Gardens” will be performed April 5-May 6. For tickets and info, call 401-351-4242 or visit trinityrep.com.

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

Sharpen your skates (or rent them) and head for the indoor Aleixo Skating Arena! For more info, go to fmcicesports.com or call 508-824-4987.

Find out what’s happening in Taunton! For info, go to downtowntaunton.org.

Tiverton

Westport Make your reservations for Concerts at the Point!

Plan ahead for the performance by the Jasper String Quartet on April 22. For more info, call 508636-0698 or visit concertsatthepoint.org.

Go “Snowshoeing on the Shoreline” at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport on March 2, from 10 to noon, hosted by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Mass Audubon. For info, fees and directions, go to savebuzzardsbay.org/events.

Eat Fresh! Eat Local! Head for the winter farmers market at the Town Hall Annex on Saturdays. For hours and more info, go to semaponline.org.

Take a leisurely ramble around rural Westport!

For more info, call 508-636-9228 or visit westportlandtrust.org.

Find out what’s going on at the Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton! Heal with a Gong Sound Bath, with Yoga: Mindful Flow & Meditation on Sundays, or with music and movement on JourneyDance on the 2nd Saturday each month (February 11), or join in the Contra Dancing on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Sign up for lessons in Zumba, Pilates, or figure drawing. For more info, go to sandywoodsmusic.com or call 401-241-7349.

Check out the unique “Oars and Paddles Art Show,” sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance, at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery through March 10. A reception and silent auction will be held on March 10. For more information, call 508636-3016 or go to westportwatershed.org.

There’s always something going on at Tiverton Four Corners! For more info, go to tivertonfourcorners.com or fourcornerarts.org.

Explore 18th and 19th-century life at the Handy House. For more info, visit wpthistory.org or call 508-636-6011.

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The South Coast Insider | March 2018

29

ON MY MIND

Cold month, hot takes

By Paul Kandarian

A little of this, a little of that, because it’s March, which is the cruelest month in that it’s a little of winter and a little of spring, making you wish it would just go and leave us April.

I got a call the other day from a bright and chirpy gal who said she was Lisa who brightly chirped she was from Solar Solutions and asked “How are you today?” I usually just hang up on these people but she seemed nice and at least she didn’t ask “how are we today?” which makes me nuts as it does when local sports fans say “we” about a team they’re not on.

So I said “Great Lisa, but I rent so I’m the last person you want to talk to today,” and I laughed, figuring she’d laugh and just thank me and that would be that. But Lisa just hung up. No goodbye. No thanks anyway.

Nothing. Just click.

I admire that. I had nothing to offer so she went from bright-and-chirpy Lisa to all-dead -inside Lisa in a split second. Lisa, you’re going places in this business. You don’t waste time. Now get out there and sell, sell, sell and remember ABC: Always. Be Closing.

Because you know what second place is and you don’t want those f’ing steak knives.

(Movie aficionados will know what I mean and if you don’t, ask one.)

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Ever watch old special effects movies and wonder how you marveled at how great the special effects were back in the day when

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March 2018 | The South Coast Insider

they actually sucked? I saw “Earthquake” the other night. It was made in 1974, and despite having to laugh at the special effects which fell just short of a rubber Godzilla stomping a fake Tokyo, I do give them credit. They made it look decent in those pre-CGI days.

Some of the films today are nothing but CGI and may as well be classified as cartoons.

That makes me sound old but I did see “Earthquake” in theaters when it was brand new. n Saw a classic head-scratcher of a sign recently at a business that read “Juice Bar” and underneath “Open to the Public.” Which would, I suppose, set it apart from all those trendy members-only juice bars that are all the rage. Gotta think outside the juice box, ya know?

The hit show “This is Us” may as well be “This is Us – Crying,” as in us, the viewers. I vowed after the Sopranos ended to never get caught up in another series (that one didn’t make me cry, it just scared the hell out of me), but here I am completely immersed in the life stories of the Pearsons and crying at their joys and sorrows and wishing Jack didn’t die, how could he die, though he lives on in flashbacks, and Becky, sweet, sweet Becks, stay strong, girl, please, and Kevin, God, son, we’re all with you boy, you can do this and Kate, we adore you, you’ll have a baby, we know it, and Randall, good lord lad, go easy on yourself, no one’s perfect, stop trying and… and ok, I’m drying my tears and moving on. I swear this is the last series I’ll get immersed in.

Dumbty Trumpty, Part 2: Did anyone see Kellyanne Conway on a Sunday morning “This Week” news show last month talking about… oh, hell, I have no idea, she was droning on about something her boss said, but I didn’t hear because I couldn’t stop staring at her and actually feeling bad because besides the fact that her time in Trumpland is having a Dorian Grey-like effect on her appearance, she looked like she’d rather be

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Dumbty Trumpty, Part 1: I recently heard, or rather could only stomach, about 20 seconds of one of his “speeches” and as he babbled in a language only he and other brain-dead cretins can understand, it finally dawned on me: it takes more than 50 or so years for bone spurs in the feet to reach the brain and ossify it into Terminal Stupidity.

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anywhere else but being grilled by George Stephanopoulos.

Honestly, it looked like a POW tape of someone being forced to say stuff they didn’t want to say because off camera, someone had a gun pointed at her. Anyone know Morse Code? Can you have a look at the tape and see if she was blinking out “HELP ME I’M BEING HELD PRISONER” during her blathering? I’m feeling more sorry for her all the time, and want to scream “Run, Kellyanne, run! They can’t shoot you, you’re too skinny to hit!” I’m torn, I mean she’s caught up in this freak show at the AltWhite House and doesn’t have to stay. But on the other hand, there’s the Stockholm Syndrome.

Keep blinking out messages, kiddo, help is on the way!

And if all the political stuff is getting you down, give a listen to, or rather a read, Vera Gibbons, a Mattapoisett native who lives in NYC and has worked as a correspondent for n

MSNBC and ABC, but gets back here a lot (she loves Turk’s Restaurant, for one thing, and who doesn’t?) In 2016, Vera started NonPoliticalNews.com, a website that provides a tremendously refreshing bit of brightness and grace in a world gone made with non-stop political crap reporting.

There you will find, the site says, “nuggets, stats, and facts that aren’t necessarily getting mainstream media coverage. More importantly, it’s interesting and useful fodder for conversation – not animosity.”

Vera started it because despite being in the news biz, hated the divisiveness it was causing, and the bombardment of bad political news and the overall vitriol it was generating. So she started NonPoliticalNews and it’s resonating with people. It’s a fun site, easy to navigate, and full of stuff you can digest and discuss with other people at parties without wanting to rip each other’s heads off or slice your own wrists.

And these days, that’s a pretty terrific thing to aspire to.

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The South Coast Insider | March 2018

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