Nelson Hockert-Lotz

The last week in March saw two ground-breaking meetings in New Bedford underscore a common message: Working together, we can make our cities safer places to live and work...

Nelson Hockert-Lotz provides perspective on a Saint Patrick's week trip to New Bedford by a delegation of Irish politicians. Understanding the Peace and Reconciliation that has occurred between Northern Ireland's Catholics and Protestants can offer insight and a model for reconciliation in our home town of New Bedford...

On the Monday of a week that would see the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, and a major speech about race in America by Barack Obama, two mayors from Northern Ireland laid wreaths at the Irish monument on East Rodney French Boulevard in an extraordinary gesture of reconciliation. It was St. Patrick's Day, and the remembrance of Irish struggles for dignity and independence were ever present, but so, too, was a new message, one of working together and moving on.

On Thursday night bright yellow flags will sprout in front of 40 venues as New Bedford's downtown celebrates an important milestone: the city's 100th AHA! Night.

New Bedford is a safer city today because of a new "can-do" attitude in public safety, after years of accepting the status quo...

Nelson Hockert-Lotz visits NBopenmarket and gives the reader a look into this up and coming New Bedford crafter's and artisan's market place.