On several occasions in the past few weeks, there have been stories of a young woman approaching a homeowner, saying she represented a home security company, and looking for information. In one case she left when the homeowner said she wasn't interested. But in another, a man pulled up in a van, asked more questions such as animals and other doors in the house. He then aggressively asked to enter the house to call his office and set up an appointment, even thought the homeowner said she wasn't interested.

Please beware of this type of approach, and call the police to report it if you are at all suspicious. You can call 911, but you should also call the business number for your local police. In the St. Mark's Area that would be 617-343-4524 , the community service number at Area C-11. Also, please consider joining Citizen Alert, which passes along alerts (like this one) from Area C-11, plus Roxbury and South Boston. For more information, please visit www.citizeno bserver.com

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.

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.