On Tuesday, June 20, at 2:00 PM, Trinity Financial will break ground on their long- awaited "Transit-Oriented Development" project at Ashmont Station, and they invite you to join them.

The project, which will include 74 affordable apartments, 42 market-rate condos, and 10,000 square feet of retail space, has been a community affair all along. Hundreds of people attended meetings, shared concerns, and offered suggestions to make this a project that enhances Peabody Square and the entire neighborhood. Speaker Tom Finneran, Senator Jack Hart, Reps Linda Dorcena Forry and Marty Walsh, Mayor Tom Menino, and Councillors Maureen Feeney and Charles Yancey provided key support. And Vince Droser, Jim Keefe and the entire Trinity team have been true partners in this process, listening carefully to neighborhood opinions and incorporating many of them into the final design.

A reception at the Ashmont Grill will follow the ceremony. RSVP to Trinity Financial, 617-720-8400, Ext. 10. Hope to see you there!

The next step in the reconstruction of Ashmont Station will take place Saturday, June 24, when the MBTA will shut down the Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley for one year. During the shutdown, the T will replace the viaduct that brings trolleys in and out of Ashmont station and will renovate Mattapan Station.

Buses will replace the trolleys during the construction period. Passengers can board the buses in the busways in Ashmont and Mattapan Stations, and at stops near all stations along the line. For further information, please call the MBTA hotline at 617-222- 6757.

Mayor Menino's annual Garden Contest honors the city's many green thumbs. The SMAMS District is home to former winners Andrea, Carmen and Gary Barsomian- Dietrich, and there are many more talented gardeners in our neighborhood. Deadline for entries is July 14! For more information, download the Garden Contest application or call (617) 961-3021.

The summer "Party Line" - 617-343-4906 - will be up and running in Area C-11 beginning June 30. The Party Line is used to report quality of life issues such as loud parties and public drinking, which would get low priority as 911 calls.

During the first weekend, the line will be available 8:00 PM - 4:00 AM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For the remainder of the summer until Labor Day, the line will be available Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 PM - 4:00 AM.

Help Dot Art Meet Their Challenge Grant Deadline
The Dorchester Community Center for the Visual Arts (Dot Art) has received a challenge grant from an anonymous donor who will give $10,000 towards visual arts studio space, but only if Dot Art raises $10,000 from the community by June 30th. Dorchester people have shown their support by donating $7,500 so far.

Dot Art's goal is to bring art and cultural resources to Dorchester, enhancing the vibrancy and diversity of the community. They have been providing free and low-cost programs for nine years, enriching the lives of adults and young people with opportunities in the visual arts.

For more information, please call Dot Art at 617-265- 3503, email them at development@dotart.org, visit them online at www.dotart.org, or drop by their gallery/office at 1775-A Dorchester Ave., near the corner of Welles Ave.

Cocktail Party to Benefit Blake House
Sunday, June 18, 4:00 PM, at Ashmont Grill, 555 Talbot Ave.
Admission $25
This event will raise funds to renovate the historic Blake House in Edward Everett Square, Boston's oldest house. For more information, please call Earl Taylor at 1-800-663-6063.

Citywide Dialogues on Boston's Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Wednesday, June 21 and ongoing
The Dialogues consist of four two-hour sessions with 15-20 racially and ethnically diverse residents and two trained facilitators. The upcoming group starts on June 21 and meets June 28, July 5 & July 12 (All Wednesdays). Time for all meetings is 6:30-8:30 PM. Participation in the Dialogues is free and open to all Dorchester residents, age 15 and up. For more information or to register, go to www.BostonD ialogues.org or call 617-442-4519, ext 226.

Pope's Hill Neighborhood Association and McKone Street Block Party
Saturday, June 24, 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM; "Persons of the Year" Awards at 2:00 PM (Capt. Frank Armstrong, Joe Cloherty, and surprise winner. Rene Rancort of the Boston Bruins will sing the National Anthem!) For information, please call 617- 282-4342 or write to philip.carver@popeshill.com

Neighborhood Preservation Workshop
Saturday, June 24, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Bird Street Community Center, 500 Columbia Road
Registration fee $10
Sponsored by Dor chester Historical Society and Boston Preservation Alliance
This session includes information on current preservation projects in Dorchester plus the chance to ask questions about specific properties and areas. Information for owners of historic properties will also be available. For information, please call Sarah Kelly at 617-367-2458.

Codman Square Health Center Annual Meeting
Monday, June 26, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Great Hall, in Codman Square Guests include Senate President Robert Travaglini and Senator Jack Hart.
For information, please call 617-825-9660.

ODWIN Learning Center Golf Tournament
Monday, July 10, South Shore Country Club, Hingham
A fundraiser for the ODWIN Learning Center's adult education programs. For fees and further information, please call 617-282-5320.

Please support The Connection's sponsors:real estate broker John Nguyen, House Call Cat Grooming Service. and JXD Kids Furniture

John Nguyen is a sales agent with Olde Towne Real Estate Company, 862 Dorchester Avenue. You can reach John at 617-979-1119, 617-861-7249 or jnguyen@oldetownere.com

House Call will groom your cat (or small dog) in your home, where they feel safest. The service offers waterless and full baths, pedicures, soft paws, brush and comb-outs, de-matting, shave downs and lion cuts. For information or to make an appointment call Cynthia Goodridge at 617-265-1800.

JXD Kids Furniture, one of the newest businesses in the SMAMS district, is located at 1825 Dorchester Ave. They specialize in furniture for children, but they also carry adult-size pieces. JXD is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, and Sunday from noon to 6:00. For more information, please call owner Francisco Gomes at 617-780-0492.