The Red Line will be closed from Ashmont to Broadway, beginning Saturday, Feb. 17, and re- opening Tuesday, Feb. 20 (Monday is President's Day). Shuttle buses will take passengers to all stops in between. For more info, please contact the MBTA at (617) 222-3080.

SMAMS' very own Joan Rivers has joined the stellar cast of Oscars on the Avenue - our Academy Awards night fundraiser/party ? on Sunday, Feb. 25, 8 ? 12 p.m., at the Ashmont Grill, 555 Talbot Ave., Dorchester (at Dorchester Ave., across from Ashmont Station).

Guests will enjoy the Grill?s superb hors d?oeuvres, once they get past "Joan's" red carpet welcome; Dorchester's own Jeopardy champion Gerry Wagget will quiz the crowd on movie trivia; Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral will help lead the live auction; and Bob Wahlberg, who played in The Departed and Mystic River, may drop in for a visit. ?Red Carpet Attire? is suggested! (but not required.)

Tickets are $75 in advance, $90 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased by mail or online. For mail orders, please send checks, payable to SMAMS, to: SMAMS, 20 Roseland Street, Dorchester, MA 02124. To order online, visit www.smams.org For further information, please call SMAMS at 617-825- 3846.

Thank you to our many generous sponsors: The Ashmont Grill; Count rywide Home Loans; Mt. Washington Bank; Trinity Financial; The Dorchester Reporter; H. Levenbaum Insurance Agency; Prudential Financial agent Lee Adelson; Tevnan/Tevnan Law Firm; Au Bon Pain; Lavender Designs; and Strategic Spaces Space Planning and Design.

Please pass the word about two programs offering summer jobs for youths in Dorchester: The Boston Hope Line program and the Bird Street Health Center's Work Force program.

Please contact the programs for details (Hope Line 617-635-4202; Bird Street 617-282-6110). NOTE that teens must register for the Hope Line during certain limited days and hours between Feb. 20 and 27; Bird Street applications are due sooner.

Jack Conway Real Estate is sponsoring an ongoing winter food drive to benefit DotWell's food pantries at the Codman Square Health Center and Dorchester Multi Service Center. Ongoing. Drop off non-perishable food items or a check at the Jack Conway office, 1810 Dot Ave (at Edwin St.), or call the office at 617-288-0100 to arrange a pick up.

Codman Academy Charter Public School will hold an information session for students and parents interested in applying for admission for Grade 9 for September 2007. The session will take place Feb 15, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, at the Codman Square Health Center's clinical building at 637 Washington Street. Info: 617-287-0700

All Saints Parish's annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will take place Tuesday, Feb. 20, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, at the parish hall, 209 Ashmont St. Proceeds benefit the parish's Choir of Men and Boys. For more information, please call All Saints at 617-436- 6370.

All Saints is also holding auditions for boys in grades 2, 3 and 4 for the Choir of Men and Boys. No musical training or religious affiliation is required. For more information, please call Mr. Fred Backhouse at All Saints, 617-436-3520.

St. Mark's Church Daughters of Mary present nationally known comic hypnotist Frank Santos March 3 at St. Mark's Church Hall, 1725 Dorchester Ave. The evening, for a 21+ audience, will also include a cash bar and DJ. Doors open at 7:30 PM, show at 8:30. Proceeds will support St. Mark's students doing missionary work this summer and to provide a scholarship to a member of the 8th grade graduating class. Tickets are $20, $25 at the door - For information, please call 617-825-2852 or email stmarksdaughtersofmary@yahoo.com

And much more! For more information on what's going on in Dorchester, and to publicize your Dorchester events, visit SCI Dorchester's Dot Board and Community Calendar

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.