News & Events
January 2007


This page contains many items which weren't in the printed version of the newsletter.

C-11 Police Station Community Meeting
Thursday January 11th 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:
  1. 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;
  2. 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;
  3. Case Alerts: Police will automatically send information about open cases to all registered users. Alerts will be delivered via e-mail and text messages;
  4. Neighborhood Watch Group Alerts: Police will send targeted alerts to specific neighborhoods with information about crimes in the immediate area.


Dorchester Neighborhood Guide and Community Website
SCI Dorchester will launch two new social networking tools - the Dorchester Neighborhood Guide and the Community Website – to further build social capital, increase civic engagement, and improve the quality of life for all residents in the community. The on-line edition of the Dorchester Guide Project will be publicly launched in December. This long awaited site will allow Dorchester residents to connect with other residents, places, parks, schools, businesses, and, services in Dorchester. This on-line Neighborhood Guide will revolutionize the way Dorchester residents interact and connect with one another and will create new opportunities and ways to share information and resources. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! Now is the time to register your organization, civic group or business in the Guide. It is as easy as A-B-C and 1-2-3! For information regarding sponsorship and advertisement opportunities in the Dorchester Neighborhood Guide, contact Eliza Wilson at 617-474-1422.

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 January 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm at 275 East Cottage Street.

Ed Davis, Boston Police Commissioner
Ed Davis is a man with stellar public safety credentials and is highly respected by many in the law enforcement community, both across Massachusetts and the country. During his 12 years as head of the Lowell Police Department, that city has seen a dramatic decrease in crime. "I know his leadership skills at our police department and in our city during these challenging times will benefit everyone in every neighborhood," said Mayor Menino as he swore in the new Police Commissioner on December 3, 2006.

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:


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.

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.

Get Your Issue of TiP!
Pick up the brand new issue of TiP! Please let us know if you DON'T find the bundles of TiPs at your school. Contact Christine Hayes at WriteBoston at 617-541-2663. If you reside in Boston and get the Sunday Globe, you will find the whole copy of TiP in there this weekend as well!

Community Concern
Many schools in Dorchester require students to wear uniforms to school. Although the uniform only costs a total of $32 ($15 for a shirt and $17 for pants), several students need assistance purchasing the necessary clothes. Without the proper uniform, they are not allowed to attend class. We are looking for financial donates to ensure our young people can go to school! If you are willing to donate funds (personally or with an organization) or learn more about this important concern, contact Adrian Spatzer.

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.
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.

American Friends Services Committee
The American Friends Services Committee is currently running an arts competition for youth between the ages of 13 and 20. It is called "I Dream a World" (based on the poem by Langston Hughes and inspired by the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King) and it is about the death penalty. Last year the competition was held in Connecticut with great success and this year it has been extended to Massachusetts. For more information, see www.afsc.org/ct/idream.htm.

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/.

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.

Theater Offensive True Colors Out Youth Theater Open Auditions
This group is looking for actors, dancers, writers, performers, musicians, and activists ages 14 to 22 who are GLBT youth and allies; and re interested in creating art and touring Massachusetts with an original performance piece. For questions or to reserve an audition slot contact Evelyn at The Theater Offensive at 617-621-6090.

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.

Nominations open for New Break Through Award
Nominations are open to recognize innovative organizations that are engaging the passion, skills, and experience of people over 50 to meet society's biggest needs. Nonprofits that are tapping this experienced talent pool are encouraged to apply for this award, which will recognize new approaches to recruiting, hiring, and retaining older adults in carrying out their mission. It's a salute to any nonprofit agency that is employing this vast and vibrant workforce for good as it takes on local, national, or international challenges. Learn more and apply at www.civicventures.org/breakthrough. The application deadline is February 1, 2007. Awards will be announced in the spring of 2007. Send any questions to egillingham@civicventures.org.

Fair Foods First Annual Raffle
Fair Foods announces its "Seats of Peace Fundraising." The raffle will award a "Live My Dream" bench depicting an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a second prize of a $50 Fair Foods voucher. The winning ticket will be drawn on Martin Luther King Day (Monday January 15, 2007). Tickets are $1 for 1 ticket, or $5 for 6 tickets. Five to six million pounds per year make Fair Foods New England's largest distributer of surplus perishable food. Since 1998, their Dollar-a-Bag sites have served residents of Greater boston and beynd. Health and happiness is their mission. Tangible change within the community is their work. To purchase raffle tickets or to learn how to sell books of tickets, call 617-288-6185.


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.

Send a Greeting Card to a Soldier
When you visit www.LetsSayThanks.com you can select a thank-you card and Xerox will print and send it to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets the greeting, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.

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.

Check Your Heating System
The Boston Fire Department asks ll residents to check their 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. For more information, see www.cityofboston.gov/fire.

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.