Michael Collins, the new Chancellor of UMass-Boston, will be the featured guest at SMAMS' Fall General meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, at the Epiphany School behind Shawmut Station.

Dr. Collins will discuss current UMass projects, plans for the future, and how the university is engaged in the Dorchester community.

We will also go over our work plan for the year and give updates on SMAMS' many projects.

Refreshments will be provided courtesy of The Ashmont Grill - reason enough in itself to attend!

For more information, please call the SMAMS office at 617-825-3846.

Join your neighbors for the start of the Holiday season at the Peabody Square Tree Lighting and Holiday Party on Sat., Nov. 26. There will be caroling in the square beginning at 7:00, followed by Santa's arrival and the tree lighting at 7:30.

The festivities then move to the Peabody Square firehouse, where the firefighters host the traditional apres-tree party.

This is a neighborhood-wide event, co sponsored by all local civic associations as well as SMAMS, with donations by several local merchants and the hospitality of the firefighters. So join your neighbors and join the fun!

For more information, please call the SMAMS office at 617-825-3846

Thanks to all who made Martinis on the Avenue a tremendous success! More than 200 people came out for the event, a joint fundraiser for SMAMS and Fields Corner Main Street.

The new "Dotini" was unveiled to rave reviews, and even a die-hard Guinness drinker, stout in hand, declared he was having a great time.

The funds raised will help SMAMS and FCMS continue our work of revitalizing the Dorchester Ave. business district from Ashmont Station to Freeport Street

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: The Blarney Stone; The Dorchester Reporter; Dorchester House Multi-Service Center; H. Levenbaum Insurance Agency, Inc.; H. Levenbaum Realty, Inc.; Viet-AID; Emmerson Animal Hospital; and Tedeschi Food Shops.