December 2005

Items that missed the printed issue:
Annual Tom’s Toy Drive & Motown Holiday Party Hosted by Tom Gannon
The Bayside Exposition Center
Arlington Room (1st floor)
Next to the Double Tree Hotel
Saturday December 3rd, 2005
8:00 pm to 12:30 midnight
Music by “The Knuckle Heads”
Comedy skits by “The Out Casts” at 10:15 p.m.

The toy party benefits the infants, toddlers, kids and teenagers of the Col. Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club and the Paul McLaughlin Youth Center. The Col. Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club is the largest agency serving young people in the entire City of Boston. Remember a child's holiday may be brighter because you took the time to make the difference. FREE Parking and Accessible by Red Line's JFK/UMass station.

If you can't attend the party, you can still contribute. Drop toys off at Tom Gannon’s desk/office at 26 Court, 8th floor or at his home: 7 Christopher Street (3rd floor) in Field’s Corner. Or you can make a tax-deductible donation & we will do the shopping for you. Make checks payable to: The Col. Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club and Mail it to Tom Gannon at 7 Christopher Street, Dorchester MA 02122. Any questions call (617) 436-1287. Thank you for your support it is much appreciated!


Survivors of Homicide Awareness Month (related)
We are asking all civic groups to join us as we Move from Awareness to Commitment to Action— Do It Today! As residents of Dorchester it is important for us to know about and how to better support our friends, neighbors who have been impacted by such tragedy. We invite you to join us for any part of this journey towards peace. Do it with: Love, Unity, Faith, Hope, Courage, Justice & Forgiveness.

Commit to one of the Seven Principles of Peace, wear/display a Purple Peace Ribbon. For more information please call: Janet Connors, Survivors Support Coordinator @ Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, 617-825-1917.


93 Scene From Over the Bridge
Even though I am no longer President of The Association, I have remained involved in issues that are important to me and my neighbors, and I want to update all of you on some of my activities.

I’m sure many of you recall the Umass sculpture controversy surrounding the sitting of the Stinger sculpture (the huge black prism/box) at the landward tip of Columbia Point. The compromise was to move it further down to the area where it now resides. Well, this particular sculpture will now be leaving Dorchester and I have a verbal commitment from the new External Relations Vice Chancellor that no others will take its place. Further, no oversized sculptures will be sited in the green swath between the Umass Drive and the Harborwalk, which is the result I had always hoped for. As I’ve often repeated, I have no qualms with the University creating a sculpture park (indeed I once attended MassART), as long as the pieces are not contiguous to the Harborwalk, which serves an area of respite and passive recreation.

Also at the University, I have been working with grant writers from the Urban Harbors Institute to apply for a federal grant that would allow for the removal of all of the old docks and assorted wooden marine debris next to Morrissey Blvd, between the Vietnam Memorial and the Savin Hill Yacht Club. I am hopeful that we are awarded this money, as it will not only enhance the beauty of this small area that is one of the few Dorchester harborfront spots remaining in a semi-natural state, but it will also help to promote more diversity and numbers of marine shore species. The Yacht Club, the University, DCR and the CSHCA are all partners in this effort.

A bit closer to home: many of you know that I live adjacent to Rt. 93 (about 10 feet away) in Savin Hill. Since I moved there, seven years ago (having rented for another seven across the street), I have joined with my neighbors to force MassHighway to build a noise barrier. Until I actually see a shovel in the ground, I am reluctant to believe that it is coming, but I figured it was time to let you all know that indeed a barrier has been designed and advertised for bids. To date, the contract has not been awarded, but I have a verbal commitment from the Secretary of Transportation, John Cogliano (who grew up adjacent to Rt.128 in Canton) and a written commitment from the new Highway Commissioner, Luisa Paiwonski that indeed this remains a priority and most likely will be constructed this spring. For six years, I did a lot of legwork, document research and lobbying of officials, but Representative Walsh and Senator Hart have been instrumental in gaining financial support; thank you to them.
~Paul Nutting


Mark your Date books
GIS Day is November 16th, 10 - 2 PM, in the Great Hall at the State House, please join us!


Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (November 20th - December 20th)
Although for many, this time of the year is a celebration of sharing with family and friends while reflecting on the past and looking towards the future, some of our neighbors must deal with feeling of grief and loss. During holiday seasons survivors often experience overwhelming feelings of grief, loss and despair. This is an important time to show our support for those who are grieving. This period of time, Nov 20 – Dec 20, is close enough to the holidays to make a difference in the lives of survivors, but not to close enough to the holidays to be disruptive. Please take a moment during your busy lives to remember friends and families throughout our neighborhood that are dealing with these emotions. Take a moment to reflect and remember one of our own: Army Sgt. Daniel Londano who gave his life for our country fighting in Iraq. There is a square in his memory on the corner of East Cottage and Dawes Street. Thank You.
~ Ed Geary Jr.


Ryan Playground Tree Lighting
The Columbia Savin Hill Civic Members listed below all pitched in and helped organize the Ryan Playground tree lighting ceremony held on November 26th.

Ed Geary Jr. and Gretchen Carney
Ed and Gretchen represented the Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association at the Dorchester Holiday Celebrations Committee meetings. This allowed the Savin Hill Neighborhood to receive our tree that was placed at the Ryan Playground.

Ed Geary Jr., Gretchen Carney, Anne Riley, Joe Chaisson, Gloria Vieira, Millie Rooney, and Mike Crowley
Ed, Gretchen, Anne, Joe, Gloria, Millie, and Mike all helped stuff the goody bags for the children that were handed out at the tree lighting ceremony. Thank you to all the merchants that donated items for the bags. The Sugar Bowl, The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, Stop & Shop, Boston Bowl, H. Levenbaum Insurance, and the Boston Convention and Exposition Center. A special thank you to the City of Boston for arranging and setting up the tree.

This was truly a group effort and I want to thank everyone that helped make this a huge success for Savin Hill. The event was still in the planning stages at this writing so sorry if I missed any personal thank yous at the time of printing. I'll have an updated list at the general civic meeting in December.
Happy Holidays,
~Ed Geary Jr.


E-lert Information
For the recent incidents in the Columbia Savin Hill area covering the dates from November 15th to November 20th, Please click here.

Support Our Local Businesses who Support the CSHCA!

Below is a list of the Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association's Merchant Members. The folks who run these businesses support us and have invested in our community. Please extend the same support to them by shopping in their stores, eating in their restaurants, and seeking their services.

A Hohmann Oil Co. Inc.	1146 Dorchester Avenue
Alliance Auto Glass	902 Dorchester Avenue
Anna's Bakery, Inc.	1035 Dorchester Avenue
At Home Real Estate Group	109 Savin Hill Avenue
Avenue Auto Wholesales, Inc.	1121 Dorchester Avenue
Avenue Liquors	82 Savin Hill Avenue
The Banshee Pub	934 Dorchester Avenue
Bayside Exposition Center	200 Mt. Vernon Street
Best Liquors	1088 Dorchester Avenue
The Boston Globe	135 Morrissey Blvd.
Brook's Pharmacy	1100 Dorchester Avenue
C.F. Donovan's Restaurant	120 Savin Hill Avenue
Coleen’s Flower Shop	912 Dorchester Avenue
Corcoran Jennison Mgmt.	150 Mt. Vernon Street
Creative Wrappings	22 Carson Street
Dorchester Avenue Auto Repair	887 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester Tire Service, Inc.	1160 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester Market	951 Dorchester Avenue
First Spine & Rehab	916 Dorchester Avenue
Gately Insurance Co.	983A Dorchester Avenue
The Harp & Bard Restaurant	1099 Dorchester Avenue
Lee Myles Transmission	1110 Dorchester Avenue
Lee's Store & Bakery	982 Dorchester Avenue
McKenna’s Café	113 Savin Hill Avenue
Murphy Funeral Home	1020 Dorchester Avenue
Nash’s Pub	1154 Dorchester Avenue
NEALCO Environmental Svcs.	5 Caspian Way
Olde Towne Real Estate	862 Dorchester Avenue
P. Gioioso & Sons Construction	50 Sprague Street, Hyde Park (BWS project)
Pat Jay’s Pharmacy	940 Dorchester Avenue
Restaurante Laura	688 Columbia Road
Savin Hill Variety	110 Savin Hill Avenue
Shanti Restaurant	1111 Dorchester Avenue
SPIRE Printing	65 Bay Street
Sports Lab	1152 Dorchester Avenue
Venice Pizza	39 Savin Hill Avenue
Victorian Realty	1859 Dorchester Avenue
Vina Realty/MSC Travel	988 Dorchester Avenue

Merchant Memberships are $25.00 a year. Please note that this is a non-voting membership. If interested in becoming a Merchant Member please print out and complete the membership form at the bottom of this online newsletter and forward with your check in the amount of $25.00 made payable to the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association. We will list all Merchant Members each month in our newsletter. Funds will be used towards neighborhood improvement projects/activities.


Stop & Shop “Senior Tour”
The new Stop & Shop located in South Bay Center is hosting a senior tour on Tuesday, December 13, from 10 am to noon. Refreshments will be served. Click here for a flyer with additional details.


CSHCA Meeting - Childcare Offering
We offer free childcare at our general meetings for members and guests. Please bring along any personal items your child may need. Do come a few minutes early so that your child can settle in. Childcare attendant: Diana Michta.


The Little House Food Pantry
At our monthly meetings we collect non-perishable food, toiletries and household cleaning items to donate to The Little House Food Pantry. We have a collection area at the sign in desk. Thanks so much !!!


Special Holiday and 50/50 Raffle
This month there is a special raffle as well as the 50/50 raffle. Inquire when checking in at our December 5th meeting. Good Luck!!!


CSHCA Dues
Note: According to the CSHCA By-Laws, you must be a dues paying member in good standing 30 days prior to voting at a meeting, so please handle this accordingly.

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CSHCA 2006 Membership Renewal/Application for Membership
(If your membership(s) for 2006 have already been renewed.. we thank you in advance)

Please keep current with your annual membership dues if you wish to remain a voting member in good standing and continue to receive a copy of the newsletter, "The Neighbors".

CSHCA Annual Memberships are only:
$5 per person
$25 Merchant Sponsor (non-voting member)

Checks can be made payable to: CSHCA
Simply print out the form below and give with payment to our Treasurer, Nora McDonnell at our next meeting or mail to:

CSHCA Membership
c/o Ms. Nora McDonnell, CSHCA Treas.
7 Buttonwood Court
Dorchester, MA 02125

Individual membership(s) ____
Merchant Sponsor _____


Name(s): ____________________________________________

Street: _____________________________ Apt: __________

City/Town: ___________________________ State: _____

Postal Code: ____________

Phone: ______________________________

Email: ______________________________

Merchant Sponsor Name: _____________________________

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Fall Yard Waste Collection
Saturday collections run through December 10th. Leaves and yard waste will not be collected in plastic bags. Use open barrels or paper yard waste bags only. Place on curbside by 7 AM.


~ ~ Happy Holidays ~ ~


Thanks to SPIRE and UMass for their newsletter help!!


Congrats to Pattie and Dan (Grandpa too!)
Welcome Claudia Lucille Donovan!


Dorchester Recycling Coalition
To receive your FREE blue recycling bin or for more information about Boston recycling/composting call (617) 635-4959.

© 2005 Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association