News & Events
February 2007
This page contains several items which weren't in the printed version of the newsletter.
C-11 Police Station Community Meeting
Thursday February 8th at 7:00 pm at 40 Gibson Street in the Guard Room.
Citizen Alert Network Expands Citywide
The Alert Network allows police to instantly update registered users about crime, emergencies
and other important information. Residents need to register online to receive these alerts.
People can register at
www.CitizenObserver.com
and click on the "Sign Up Now" link. This service offers four types of alerts
delivered via e-mail:
- Citizen Alerts: informs all registered users of a public safety concerns. Police will
provide descriptions of incidents, actions taken and photographs when possible. Alerts will
be delivered via e-mail and text messages;
- Business Alerts: targeted to specific business types, so businesses will receive
information relevant to their business. Alerts will be delivered via fax, e-mail and text
messages;
- Case Alerts: Police will automatically send information about open cases to all
registered users. Alerts will be delivered via e-mail and text messages;
- Neighborhood Watch Group Alerts: Police will send targeted alerts to specific
neighborhoods with information about crimes in the immediate area.
Safety Tips
Three tips to help you and your family:
- Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or
someone trying to get in your house, just press the alarm button for your car. The alarm will
start, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and
you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably
already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside
your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the
button on the key chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes
off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick
around.... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is
out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while
walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.
- ICE: Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You
can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt,
ICE. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell
phone under ICE, with the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services should
call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly.
It only takes a few moments of your time to do. Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for
it immediately. ICE your cell phone NOW!
- Be careful at gas stations while pumping gas. Keep doors locked and do not leave pocketbooks
inside.
Upham’s Corner Safe Neighborhood Initiative
This program is sponsored by the Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley’s Office. There are
meetings every other month. The next meeting is Wednesday, Febraury 14, 2007 at 6:30pm in
the Community Room at 36 Alexander Street.
Beautification Committee
Please see the
committee page for an important update.
St. Williams Re-use Committee
Please see the
committee page for an important update.
E-LERT
A Listing of Incidents in Columbia-Savin Hill area. If you want to subscribe please e-mail
wwalczak@codman.org.
Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association Meeting
Next public meeting is Monday February 5, 2007 at 7:00 pm at 275 East Cottage Street.
Graffiti Busters
For businesses or residence in Boston that needs graffiti taken off, the City Of Boston will
do it for free. Log on to the City of Boston Web site at Basic City Services and sign up. For
information regarding graffiti removal, contact
Michael Bartosiak at 617-635-3492 or
download this flyer
in Adobe PDF format.
The Family Van
The Family Van offers free confidential care such as blood sugar, glaucoma and cholesterol
screenings, blood pressure checks, nutrition counseling, pregnancy tests and family planning,
confidential HIV testing, and counseling and referrals to other community resources. No
appointment, medical insurance or identification are needed. Every week, The Family Van will
be at:
- Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon and from 1:30 to 4:30 pm in Fields Corner
(Shopping plaza at Park Street and Dorchester Ave.),
- Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon in Codman Square at 577 Washington Street,
Dorchester, MA
- Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 pm in Grove Hall (across from the Mecca Mall)
- Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon and from 1:30 to 4:00 pm in Upham’s Square,
Dorchester, MA
Boston Community Change Card
The Mayor has launched the Boston Community Change Card. This is a loyalty card for Main Street
businesses that provides rebates to cardholders as well as donations to the charity of the
cardholder's choice. Simply
visit
this web site and click on the ""Get your card" button. And, please pass this on
to people you think might be interested in "shopping locally and sharing locally." If you have
any questions, see the web site or contact your local Main Streets organizations or Office of
Business Development at 617.635.0355 and ask for the Boston Main Streets division.
Winter-time Advisories
Three advisories:
- The Boston Fire Department asks residents to check heating systems. Flaws in heating systems,
such as obstructions, cracks or holes in furnace exhaust piping could lead to carbon monoxide
being released into dwellings, a potentially life-threatening situation.
- Mayor Menino advises residents to be safe during cold temperatures. For heating assistance,
the city urges residents to contact ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) at
617-357-6012. If you have a complaint about your oil dealer’s service, call the Mayor’s Office of
Consumer Affairs & Licensing at 617-635-3834. Mayor Menino said, "I want to urge people
to check on elderly neighbors, to wear appropriate clothing when heading outdoors and use heating
apparatuses safely." Street outreach teams will have extra vans out on the streets urging
the homeless to stay in shelters; shelters will open earlier over the next few days and they will
be open 24 hours a day in extreme weather.
- The Boston Fire Department advises residents to: a) never use your oven for heat; b) do not
overload electrical sockets; c) never leave candles unattended; d) electric powered portable
heaters should never be left on while sleeping and should be kept at least three feet away from
combustible materials; e)CO2 detectors are now required in homes by law. They must be within 10
feet of sleeping areas; f) working smoking detectors should be on each floor of your home,
particularly near bedrooms; and g) in case of a power outage, stock up on batteries, flashlights
and canned goods.
Boston Green Awards
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announces the first annual Boston Green Business Awards and Boston Green
Residential Awards. Mayor Menino and the City of Boston want to recognize businesses and
residents who are leaders in sustainability and it's practices. "It is my hope that these
awards will encourage Boston businesses and residents to engage in environmentally sustainable
practices, learn more about such practices and initiate their own sustainability efforts and
programs," Mayor Menino said. The city invites the nomination of businesses and residents
for these Green Awards. Nomination forms should be submitted by February 28, 2007. The winners
of the City of Boston Green Business Awards and Boston Green Residential Awards competition will
be announced by Mayor Menino in a ceremony in April 2007. Green Business Awards Mayor Menino’s
Green Business Awards will honor businesses in Boston that perform exemplary sustainable business
practices in their day to day operations. Awards will be given to both small and large businesses
in three categories: Green Business Practices, Green Business Products, and Green Business
Services. The Green Residential Awards will honor residents in Boston who are committed to
sustainable living. Mayor Menino will recognize residents of the City of Boston who demonstrate
exemplary sustainable practices in their community and in their homes. Awards will be presented
to residents in five categories: Community Leadership in Energy and Climate Protection, Waste
Reduction/Pollution Prevention, Sustainable Construction/Renovation, Energy and Water
Conservation, and Sustainable Landscape/Green Roof.
Download
a nomination form today!
Mommy/Daddy and Me
DotWell is offering Mommy/Daddy & Me, a parent and child fitness class at the Dorchester House
Multi/Service Center at 1353 Dorchester Avenue on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 am and Wednesdays
from 8:30 to 9:30 am in the gym for children 2 years and up; and on Tuesdays from 9:30 to
10:30 am, water babies for children ages 6 months to 2.9 years. For more info, call 617-740-2235.
Dorchester Arts & Culture Breakfast Club
The Dorchester Arts and Culture Breakfast Club, an informal group that discusses the arts and
arts related developments in Dorchester, meets on the first Friday of every month at 8:30 am.
If you are interested in attending, please e-mail
Joyce Linehan. This is a FREE event.
BPHC and Obesity
Mayor Menino and the Boston Public Health Commission made a New Years resolution to target
obesity in Boston. The City announced new steps aimed at addressing the public health threat of
obesity in Boston. The new initiatives add to the City’s increasingly multifaceted strategy
addressing this serious health concern, and focus on decreasing the health disparity of obesity
in the African-American and Latino communities.
Affordable Fitness Programs Available
The Dorchester House is offering a series of classes for all fitness levels in low-impact
aerobics, walking, yoga, kickboxing, body sculpting and conditioning, exercise for seniors, and
other forms of physical fitness. All classes are held at Dorchester House. The fee is $25/month
($15 for seniors) for unlimited classes, and for a limited time, they are offering an
introductory special of five classes for $10. For more information call 617-740-2235.
Boston Public Schools
"All About BPS" is a new blog published by the Communications Office to keep families,
staff, and the community informed about the Boston Public Schools. See
All About BPS and check back
often for the latest news and information. Aso, you can
sign up online
for Boston School Closings Notifications.
Invite a Friend!
Download one of our flyers and
share it with your neighbors! Bring a friend to the next CSHCA meeting.
CSHCA Merchant Members
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 Ave |
Alliance Auto Glass
902 Dorchester Ave |
Anna's Bakery, Inc.
1035 Dorchester Ave |
At Home Real Estate Group
109 Savin Hill Ave |
Avenue Auto Wholesales, Inc.
1121 Dorchester Ave |
Avenue Liquors
82 Savin Hill Ave |
The Banshee Pub
934 Dorchester Ave |
Bayside Exposition Center
200 Mt. Vernon Street. |
Best Liquors
1088 Dorchester Ave |
Boston Glass & Boarding
1068 Dorchester Ave |
The Boston Globe
135 Morrissey Blvd |
Brook's Pharmacy
1100 Dorchester Ave |
C.F. Donovan's Restaurant
120 Savin Hill Ave |
Coleen’s Flower Shop
912 Dorchester Ave |
Corcoran Jennison Mgmt.
150 Mt. Vernon Street |
Creative Wrappings
22 Carson Street |
dBar
1236 Dorchester Ave |
Dorchester Ave Auto Repair
887 Dorchester Ave |
Dorchester Tire Service, Inc.
1160 Dorchester Ave |
Dorchester Market
951 Dorchester Ave |
Edens & Avant
21 Custom House, Suite #450, Boston |
First Spine & Rehab
916 Dorchester Ave |
Gately Insurance Co.
983A Dorchester Ave |
Harborpoint Liquors
45 Morrissey Boulevard |
The Harp & Bard Restaurant
1099 Dorchester Ave |
Lambert's Fitness Center
735 Morrissey Boulevard |
Lee Myles Transmission
1110 Dorchester Ave |
Lee's Store & Bakery
982 Dorchester Ave |
McKenna’s Café
113 Savin Hill Ave |
Murphy Funeral Home
1020 Dorchester Ave |
Nash’s Pub
1154 Dorchester Ave |
NEALCO Environmental Svcs.
5 Caspian Way |
Olde Towne Real Estate
862 Dorchester Ave |
P. Gioioso & Sons Construction
50 Sprague Street, Hyde Park (BWS project) |
Pat Jay’s Pharmacy
940 Dorchester Ave |
Restaurante Laura
688 Columbia Road |
Savin Hill Suds/Kennedy Cleaners
119 Savin Hill Ave |
Savin Hill Variety
110 Savin Hill Ave |
Savin Hill Yoga
11 Pearl Street |
Shanti Restaurant
1111 Dorchester Ave
(617) 929-3900 |
SPIRE Printing
65 Bay Street |
Sports Lab
1152 Dorchester Ave |
Tom's Barbershop
1000 Dorchester Ave |
Venice Pizza
39 Savin Hill Avenue |
Victorian Realty
1859 Dorchester Ave |
Vina Realty/MSC Travel
988 Dorchester Ave |
Merchant Memberships are only $25.00 per calendar year. Please note that this is a
non-voting membership. If interested in becoming a Merchant Member
please print and complete the membership form on the
Membership
page. Merchant Members are listed every month in our newsletter. Funds are used towards
neighborhood improvement projects and activities.
Dorchester Recycling Coalition
To receive your FREE blue recycling bin, or for more information about Boston recycling
and/or composting, call (617) 635-4959 or visit the
Boston recycling program web site.
Recycle Old Telephone Books
Phonebooks are recycled with the city’s weekly recycling program. Boston residents will be
receiving their new telephone books soon. Please remember to recycle your old telephone books.
Place telephone books in paper bags along with the rest of the paper you are recycling. The books
will be picked up on your recycling day. For more information visit the
Boston recycling program web site.
Discounted Celtics Tickets
The Boston Celtics are offering half priced tickets for home games on Wednesday, January 24
and Wednesday, March 14, 21 and Monday, March 26, 2006. Discounts are also available for
other games throughout the season. All games start at 7:30 pm. For more information, call
(617) 854-8034.
Scholarship Opportunity
Numerous private and public scholarships, as well as student loans and other forms of
financial aid, are available to students to help cover the costs of tuition and expenses.
In 1994, Mayor Menino created the City of Boston Scholarship Fund to provide tuition
assistance to successful graduates with financial need. Since then, the fund has awarded
more than $700,000 in scholarships to help hundreds of Boston students pursue post-secondary
education. For application forms and deadlines, visit
www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/scholarship/.
South Boston Boxing Club
This is a FREE, educational boxing program for youth ages 10 - 21. No experience is necessary,
and instruction is provided to youth grouped not only by age, but by weight and experience.
The hours of the program are Monday - Friday, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from
10:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, contact the South Boston Boxing Club at 617-635-1416.
Homegrown in Boston!
Local author and Boston elementary students illustrate new children’s book! A board member
of Generations Incorporated has recently written and published a children’s book,
"Siamese Sam and the Things He Will Eat." This fun and colorful book about a
unique cat was beautifully illustrated by talented students of Boston Public Schools. The
author has contributed all proceeds to Generations Incorporated in order to continue to
provide literacy services within Boston. Generations Incorporated is a non-profit that
unites older adults and youth to strengthen communities. In Dorchester, one of three
neighborhoods that Generations Incorporated focuses on, 111 residents over the age of 55
serve as literacy tutors to children in Dorchester elementary schools and after-school
programs. Last year 811 children were served in Dorchester alone! For more information or
to purchase the book, visit
www.generationsinc.org.
8th Annual Online Student Essay Contest
This contest, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Citizen Education
Fund, has begun. The theme this year is "Making Democracy Work: Citizens' Rights and
Responsibilities." We hope that young people, teachers, and youth leaders will discuss
the freedoms and rights granted by the U.S. Constitution, such as those in the Bill of
Rights, as well as the responsibilities of citizens to protect those rights and to participate
in government. This contest is open to all Massachusetts students in grades 4 thru 12.
Essay
questions, rules, and prize information are available online.
Boston Youth Survival Guide
The Black Ministerial Alliance’s High Risk Youth Network has developed a resource guide for
youth at high risk, called the "Boston Youth Survival Guide." A workshop is now
available that provides practitioners, youth workers, and parents an opportunity to learn
about the resources for youth at high risk, to study the guide, and to practice strategies
for engaging youth. The workshop will be an engaging, interactive and informative 2-hour
session. The Medical Foundation / BEST Initiative provides this workshop series for the BMA,
so there is no cost to participants. It is FREE, plus you will receive complimentary copies
of the guide. For more information, contact
Laurie Jo Wallace at the Medical Foundation. If
you need resources for young people, see
www.bostonyouthnet.org/.
Mayor's Youth Council Now Accepting Applications
The application deadline is April 13, 2007. Do you know a high school student who wants to make
a difference in their community? The Mayor's Youth Council provides Boston's young people with an
active role in addressing youth issues. We are now accepting applications from high school
sophomores and juniors from every neighborhood of the city to serve as volunteer representatives
on the 2007-08 MYC. WHO CAN APPLY? Teens who will be entering their junior or senior in high
school or an alternative program the following September. Boston residency required. Knowledge of
teen programs and issues preferred. WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT? Representatives attend 2 evening
meetings a month at City Hall (Tuesdays from 5:45 - 7:45pm); participate in Youth Council
meetings with Mayor Menino and city leaders; outreach to peers and youth programs through
mailings, phone calls, and site visits; participate in skill building workshops and community
service projects. Additional activities are available for those who want challenging new
opportunities. The time commitment is approximately 10 hours per month.
Help Get The Word Out!
As you may have heard from a recent lawsuit, the Federal courts have ruled that the 2002 and
2004 Firefighter entrance exams were discriminatory to Black and Hispanic candidates. In that
ruling it was declared that 50 candidates should have been hired. These candidates now go to
the top of the list for a hiring preference. Unfortunately many have moved from their original
address' and may not get the information. Once hired, they will be entitled to back pay and
senority. The Boston Society of Vulcans needs your help to find these candidates, so that they
are not by-passed again. For more information, contact Karen Miller, President Boston Society
of Vulcans, at 617-650-2806.
Do The Write Thing Boston Challenge 2007
This program seeks schools or youth organizations to participate in this national writing
challenge for 7th and 8th graders. Youth will be asked to write about their experience with
violence. All writings will be judged and the winners, one boy and one girl will be invited
to Washington DC to present their winning writing to the Library of Congress. For more
information or to get involved,
send e-mail to DTWT
or visit
www.dtwt.org.
Sports and Character Development
To read more and to find out about other youth opportuntities visit
www.bostonyouthsports.org/default.aspx.
Boston At Night
From 6:00 to 10:00 pm Friday nights. Safe fun events at the Cleveland Community Center in
Dorchester. Check with your local community center to get a complete schedule, or call
617-635-4920.
Download the schedule today.
Whats Up Magazine
This is a non-profit arts and social awareness street paper based in the South End. Whats Up
is produced mostly by volunteers and is sold on the street by vendors in need of income. It is
an alternative media source with an emphasis on positivity. It has always been a youthful
publication and would like to have high school students more involved in contributing to and
distributing the magazine. For more information, send e-mail
mail@whatsupmagazine.org.
Memorial Scholarships
The Dorchester Board of Trade has established three scholarships in the amount of $500.00
each, which will be awarded to three Dorchester residents enrolled in post-secondary education
for the 2005 - 2006 academic year. Interested applicants must submit a 300-500 word essay on
the following topic: "How my neighborhood influenced the person I am today." If you
have any questions, please contact Josephine Spencer at 617-265-6350.
Operation HOPE
Operation HOPE a national nonprofit organization focused on improving our inner city
communities through economic empowerment. In 1996, Operation HOPE began the "Banking on
Our Future" program to address the lack of information that our youth have about
understanding and managing their personal finances. For additional information please contact
Josi Chapman at 617-725-5940.
STAR
STAR (safety, trust, and relationships) is an interactive group of high school age peer
educators. Lead fun, interactive workshops to talk about dating, relationships, media,
conflict and dating violence. For more information, contact
Sara Arcaya at 617-521-0182.
It's School Registration Time
Registration for the Boston Public Schools for 2007 - 2008 is underway. Find out how to register
and information about each school. Starting February 5, 2007, you may register your child for all
grades (K thru 12). Transfers for all grades may be submitted during this period also. Note to
Current BPS Students: Boston Public Schools students currently enrolled Grades 5 and 8 will
receive an application at school in early January. This form must be completed and returned to
the student's current school no later than February 2, 2007. Boston Public Schools students
currently enrolled in Grade 1 at an Early Learning Center or Early Education Center will receive
an application at school in February. This form must be completed and returned to the student's
current school no later than March 23, 2007. Assignment notices will be mailed 5 to 6 weeks after
the end of each registration period. For more information you can go to 1216 Dorchester Ave.
(behind Burger King) 617-635-8015. HOURS: PEAK PERIOD (January 5 - March 23, 2007, including
February recess) - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and Thursday 8:30 am -
6:00 pm. SCHOOL YEAR (March 26 - June 29, 2007, including April recess) Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and Wednesday 8:30 am - 1:30 pm.
Subscribe to City of Boston E-Newsletters
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announcements, snow notifications, funding opportunities, arts news, cultural resources and
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www.cityofboston.gov/subscribe
to sign up for the newsletters that interest you most!
Flu Facts: What You Need to Know
This event was sponsored by BNN, Boston Neighborhood Network Television (BNN), and the Rendon
Group. They are participating in a statewide campaign to promote awareness about the common
flu, the H5N1 Virus (also known as the Avian Virus or Bird Flu), and the possibility of a
pandemic. The Rendon Group, a Boston-based communications company has created "Flu
Facts: What You Need to Know," a 30-minute program that BNN cablecast on BNN’s
News and Information Channel Comcast 9/RCN 15. See the
Department of Public Health’s website
if you have any questions that were not answered by the film.
Fuel Assistance
Mayor Menino Announces Fuel Assistance for Boston Residents. With winter upon us, we all need
to think about how to heat our homes. The City is here to help you find out where you can turn
for fuel assistance. For more information, see
www.cityofboston.gov/residents.
Downtown Crossing Economic Initiative
Led by the B.R.A., the Downtown Crossing Economic Initiative is launching the 2nd year of the
Boston Brand Pushcart in Downtown Crossing. The location is on Summer Street next to the former
Filene's Building. The cart is $25.00 a day. The cart would be run by you and staffed by you.
The cart is accessible to the 101 Arch Street building where it is housed. The Boston Brand logo
will be on the cart. However the name of your business will be below it. If you are interested
in selling you handcrafted work or Boston made items, please contact
Randi Lathrop at the B.R.A. at
617-918-4302.
If you would like to join the CSHCA, membership information and flyers are available
at our
Membership page.
