Oracle to Visit Savin Hill Park
Be on the lookout for an interesting visitor, which may be seen at the top of Savin Hill Park during November and December.  The visitor is a sculpture, "The Oracle of Savin Hill," and it is part of the ParkARTS Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, which will be on display from November 17 until the end of December, at which point it will be moved to the Boston Common for First Night.

The creator of the sculpture, Linda Hoffman, views the Oracle as "a wandering poet, a creature who will seem to have lived long ago and yet can still be found wandering the rock outcroppings of Savin Hill."  She sees the sculpture as a "celebration of the long history of Savin Hill, where Native Americans camped in the summer, and early settlers walked up to look to where they came from, and where today people find solace in its open space."  She hopes that the Oracle will be seen as a "spirit that endures despite the changes of this century."

Linda Hoffman is a well known sculptor who has exhibited throughout New England and is currently on display at the Fuller Museum in Brockton, the Millbrook Gallery in Concord, NH, and Acton Memorial Library.

The Oracle will be installed on November 16, and there will be an unveiling on Saturday, November 17 at 10:00 am at the top of the hill.  All are welcome. ~Bill Walczak

Mother's/Parent's Resources

Children's Clothing Exchange 
Exchange "gently worn, ready to wear clothing" that children have outgrown (birth to pre-teen)!  It is located in the basement of the Grace United Methodist Church at 56 Magazine Street, Cambridge.  Hours of operation: 10-4 T-W-T and Sat. 9:30 ? 3:30.

Women/Infant/Children Program 
If you make below $521. per week this may work for you.  The Mass.WIC mission statement is: " The WIC promotes the health and well-being of women, infants, children and their families by providing quality nutrition information, nutritious food and access to health and social services in a positive environment."  WIC is located aat 500 Columbia Road.  Phone: 617-825-8994

Story Hour at Upham's Corner Library
Tuesdays 10:30 ? 11:30 for up to age three.  Wednesdays 10:30 ? 11:30 for ages three and  four.  Located down in the Librarys' pool/children's room. 
 

Planning Committee Report
At the October general meeting, on the recommendation of the Planning
Committee, the association voted on the following projects:

54 Grampian Way
Voted to support the building of a 7'x15' porch at 
the front of their single family house.  ZBA hearing date: Tuesday, 
October 9, 2001

1031-1035 Dorchester Avenue
Request deferral for the proponents 
seeking to change legal occupancy from a restaurant and beauty salon 
to restaurant, beauty salon and travel agency.  Also install a 3' x 10' sign 
to building façade.  Mr. Van Nguyen will attend the October Planning Committee 
meeting. ZBA hearing date: October 23, 2001

67-71 Bakersfield Street
Voted to support a proposal for three townhouses on a corner lot. 
ZBA hearing date: October 23, 2001

Ryan Park Renovation
The Association voted to send a letter of support to the Browne Fund 
requesting funding for artist Stacy Henninger to work with a 
city-appointed landscape architect to pursue art projects for the 
park. Ms. Henninger, a local resident and artist, would like to incorporate 
artwork into the proposed renovation of the park. The project will 
have a full community process with community meetings on this 
project, sponsored by the Boston Parks Department, being held in the 
near future.  Ms. Henninger is working closely with the CSHCA's Ryan 
Playground group.  Several mothers from the area who use the park 
spoke in support of this project at the Planning Committee meeting.

215 Sydney Street
Discussion continued on the proposed renovation of 
this building.  A subteam of the Planning Committee, led by Nora 
McDonald, will work with Mr. Harry Grill, attorney for the new 
owners, Boston Realty Ventures, on future occupants and uses for the 
building.  Several local artists expressed an interest in having the 
building be used as artists' lofts.  This idea and others will be 
discussed at future meetings.

65 Bay Street, Dorchester Bay EDC
More discussion around the construction and its schedule of the new 
Spire printing facility. Abutters of the project will draft a memorandum 
of understanding to be signed by DBEDC outlining rules for construction.

1031-1035 Dorchester Avenue
Seeks to add a travel agency to the restaurant and beauty salon currently 
in that space.  In addition, they would like to install a 3' x 10' sign to building facade

Any member of our civic association is welcome to attend a Planning Committee meeting.  To become a member of the committee, we ask that you attend three meetings in a row to get an understanding of the issues and then not miss more than three consecutive meetings in order to maintain continuity.   The Planning Committee meets on the last Monday of the month from September to May at the Little House at 7:00 PM,  unless there is a holiday. ~Ruth Davis, Planning Committee Chair 

CSHCA Gift Membership
This holiday season give the gift of CSHCA Membership to a neighbor, friend or family member.  Easy to give Ö A pleasure to receive! A CSHCA Gift membership is only $5. per recipient.
Tell us the from and the to's and include addresses, make payment and contact Chuck Mattina our treasurer at the general meeting or mail to CSCHA Gift Membership, c/o Chuck Mattina, PO Box 255822 Dorchester, MA 02125-5822.  Weíll take care of the rest! 

Newsletter Submissions
Have something you would like to share in The Neighbors? We welcome all "appropriate submissions",  Letters to the Editor, write-ups about a neighborhood event, announcements, etc. Please keep the text on the short side for we are limited by space in our newsletter.  We reserve the right to edit your submissions. Call: 617-282-1277 or email me at dleewilson@excite.com Thanks! ~ Dianna Wilson, Newsletter Editor

CSHCA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Most everyone's yearly dues expire at the end of the year (see mailing address label for expiration date).  Please keep current if you wish to be a voting member in good standing and continue to receive this newsletter. Please pay your annual membership dues @  $5 per person.  Checks can be made payable to: CSHCA Simply fill out the form and give it with payment of dues to the CSHCA Treasurer, Chuck Mattina, at the treasurers' table at our monthly general meeting or mail to:

CSHCA, c/o Chuck Mattina, P.O. Box 255822, Dorchester, MA 02125-5822

The Dorchester Teddy Bear Adoption Center
The Dorchester Teddy Bear Adoption Center was founded in September 2000 by a small group of caring volunteers. The center is looking for new and like-new teddy bears and other small stuffed animals to be given to Santa Claus to distribute throughout the Dorchester community.  Last year, during the holiday season, more than 500 teddy bears were collected and distributed to some of our local nursing homes, senior apartment buildings and hospital children's wards.

If you can find it in your heart to give up or purchase a stuffed companion for Santa to distribute feel free to drop them off at one of the following convenient locations: Codman Square Health Center 637 Washington Street, Donovanís Restaurant 2264 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester Center for Adult Education 269 East Cottage Street, Hair Solutions 1882 Dorchester Avenue or Sherman & Bridges Real Estate 1782 Dorchester Avenue.  You can even arrange a pick-up by calling Barry Mullen @ 617-288-0818. 

If you do not have a teddy bear to donate perhaps you would consider making a financial donation for demands for stuffed companions always exceed the supply.  Please make checks payable to: The Dorchester Teddy Bear Adoption Center and mail to: 1880 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124.  For more information please call Gerry McMahon @ 617-282-1389 or Barry Mullen @ 617-288-0818.  Many Thanks!

*FYI ? We have received word that our Community Service Officer of the Boston Police Department, Dennis S. Rorie has recently been hospitalized.  He is undergoing pituitary surgery at Beth Isreal and will be out of action for an undetermined amount of time.  If you would like to extend prayers or good wishes his way please direct them to:

Boston Police Department, District C-11
40 Gibson Street
Dorchester, MA 02122

US Flag Display Protocol
Etiquette questions can be directed to:
The National Flag Foundation @ (800) 615-1776 or
on their web page: www.americanflags.org 

Upham's Corner Library
Opening Reception - November 10th, Saturday, 10 AM to 12 PM, 500 Columbia Road 
A reception to thank both the Mayor and Boston Library Services for library branch 
improvements (new carpets, desks, reading nookÖ). Magic Show! Light refreshments 
will be served. Kids friendly ? all are welcome!  Free!   Presented and sponsored by the 
Friends of Upham's Corner Library.  For information call: 617-265-0139 

Yard Waste Collection Days
The City of Boston will be collecting residential leaves, hedge clippings, brush,  grass and weeds this fall which will be used in making compost  for community gardens.  The dates of collection are on the following Saturdays: October 27th, November 3rd, 10th, 17th and December 1st and 8th.  You can participate by placing your yard waste curbside by 7 AM.  Waste must be in open barrels without liners or in brown paper bags.  Please DO NOT  use plastic bags or mix trash with your yard waste! 

Home composting bins (create your own Black Gold!)  will be available at selected community centers for $23 (1/2 price) plus 10 free paper bags with bin purchase.  Home composting workshops are being held at community centers and libraries.  For more compost bin information or workshop locations call the Cityís Compost Hotline @ 617-780-8266 or Boston Public Works @ 617-635-4959.   How to compost? Check out: www.state.ma.us/dep/consumer/compost.htm

Serve New England- Annual Holiday Meal Baskets
Volunteer two hours of community service and receive a Holiday Meal Basket at a special price of $16 during the months of November and December.  Hereís a food sampling of the Holiday Basket: one 8-10 lb. Turkey, carrots, green beans or peas, butternut squash, potatoes, onions, apples, cranberry sauce, rolls and stuffing mix.  Orders should be placed by November 2nd for a November 17th pickup and by December 1st for a December 15th pickup.   The distribution of these baskets is at St. Margaret's ?  Columbia Road, Lower Hall ? at 10 AM.  To order or to get more information on this holiday offering 
contact: Nora @ 617-265-7508. 

ABCD Fuel Assistance
The Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. Fuel Assistance Program can help low-income households with paying their home heating  bills regardless of  the fuel source. 
For more information about this program call:  617-357-6012

Stoughton 500 
Has anyone noticed the Stoughton 500 Speedway that has been developing over the last several months?  After 1:30 PM  the peeling out/revving up/screeching and burning rubber begins.  The speedway winds through Sumner, Annapolis, Bakersfield and Stoughton Streets. 
Catch them if you can.  If you get a licence plate number, call it into 911, and also the Boston Police Service Officer @ 617-343-4524.  The Community Officer will then send the car owner a warning letter.

Upham's Corner Branch Library
Task Force Meeting ? November 7th, 6:30 ? 8  PM at the library. Join our interest group as we set criteria for a new library.  At the November 5th CSHCA  meeting be sure to pick up a survey questionnaire to voice your opinions regarding library improvements.

Sidewalk/Street Improvements
The CSHCA is compiling a list of sidewalks and streets in need of resurfacing.  All CSHCA members are encouraged to submit their suggestions to the President of this association.  Daniel Strong is organizing a new task force that deals with the needs of repairs to Stoughton Street specifically.  For info. about this task force call him @ 617-953-9109.

To those responsible pet owners (Cat & Dog) out there, your neighbors thank you. To all others ? hereís a reminder from the Animal Control website. 
Dog fouling and the lawÖ
The City of Boston's Dog Fouling ordinance requires dog owners to remove and properly dispose of any feces left by their pet. This ordinance covers waste left by your dog on our sidewalks, streets, parks and  your neighbor's yards.  When walking your dog, the law necessitates you be prepared for such occurances and be equipped with a bag or some other means of feces removal.  After collected, it is important to dispose of the feces properly, either in a toilet or in a trash container (after being secured in a plastic bag).  These laws are intended to protect the public from potential hazardous health conditions, and prevent environmental pollution caused by dog waste.  Please do your part to keep our neighborhoods clean and free of waste.  ~Nora McDonnell