Connection 09-05-08 (Copy 2)

The SMAMS Connection Sept. 5, 2008

Our Sponsors

Tavolo Restaurant Opens at Carruth Building

Tavolo (Italian for "Table"), Dorchester's newest Italian restaurant, is now open at 1918 Dorchester Ave, in the Carruth building at Ashmont Station. Owner Chris Douglass, whose Ashmont Grill has become a local landmark, serves pizza, pasta, panini, salads and more at popular prices in a fun, casual atmosphere. There is also a full bar, and everything is available for take out - the perfect solution for the busy "T" rider!

Tavolo is currently open Tuesday through Saturday evenings: kitchen 5:00 - 10:00 PM, bar till 11:00. They expect to open for lunch in mid-September. For take-out orders or more info, please call 617-822-1918.

Dot-2-Dot-4-Dinner

Dot-2-Dot Cafe Grand Opening

The Dot-2-Dot Cafe, at 1739 Dorchester Ave. (just south of St. Mark's Church), is now open for dinner Thursday and Friday evenings, 6:00 - 9:30 PM. For complete hours and menu, check out their web site or give them a call at 617-436-2368.

Thanks to SMAMS Wine Tasters
Wine Glass

Thanks to all who attended the SMAMS summer wine tasting August 2 at the Ashmont Grill. Our guests had a great time while educating their palates, thanks to the folks at the Grill and the Albert Winestein wine and cheese shop.

Thanks also to our sponsors: Ashmont Grill, Countrywide Home Loans, Mt. Washington Bank, Trinity Financial, the Boston Main Streets Foundation,
and JVJ Solutions Printing (781-497-0880).

SMAMS resident wins grand prize in Healthy Main Streets promotion

Healthy Main Streets 2008 - Grand Prize Winner Cheri Robartes

Congratulations to Cheri Robartes, who won the grand prize - a year's membership to the Metro Boston YMCA of her choice - in the Citywide Healthy Main Streets/"Where's Charlie?" promotion.

During July and early August, shoppers scoured Main Street districts around the city looking for the MBTA's "Charlie" emblem as part of a promotion to encourage walking in our neighborhoods. Cheri found hers at Hair Solutions Salon, 1882 Dorchester Ave (next to the Peabody Square fire station), and her name was drawn as the grand prize winner at the wrap-up celebration in Fields Corner on August 2.

Congratulations to our other local winners - Barbara Bean, Ian Haynes, Margaret Lamb and Nauze Lopes - and thanks again to our participating businesses:

I-Wireless Communications, 1690 Dot Ave.
Beauty Line Beauty Supplies, 1692 Dot Ave.
Son Ha Gift Shop, 1737 Dot Ave.
Dot-2-Dot Cafe, 1739 Dot Ave.
Super 99 Cent Plus Store, 1767 Dot Ave.
JXD Furniture, 1825 Dot Ave.
Hair Solutions, 1882 Dot Ave.
O'Brien's Market, 1911 Dot Ave.

Lisa O'Neill Joins Reliant Mortgage

SMAMS Treasurer and Fundraiser chair Lisa O'Neill has made a professional move! Formerly with Countrywide Home Loans, she is now working at Reliant Mortgage Company as a mortgage consultant. With over 15 years experience in the mortgage industry, Lisa is excited to join the team at Reliant, a full service mortgage broker licensed in several states including Massachusetts. Reliant is also the endorsed lender for the Massachusetts Police Association and the Mass. Nurses Association. If you need a pre-approval for a new home purchase, are interested in refinancing, or if you would like more information on Reliant's home financing options, you can reach Lisa at 617-799-6115(mobile) or 617-287-9251 (office).

Red Line Weekend Diversions

Bus shuttle service will replace Red Line service between Ashmont and JFK/UMass station for three weekends In September: Sept. 6-7, 13-14, and 27-28. The diversions will allow the MBTA's track maintenance crews access to Shawmut station to replace track and drainage infrastructure.

These diversions will be effective from the start of service each Saturday morning through the end of service on Sunday. Normal Red Line service will resume at the start of service each Monday morning.

Ashmont, Shawmut, Fields Corner, and Savin Hill customers can access service along Dorchester Avenue at any designated bus stop. Buses will make all stops along Dorchester Avenue in both directions.

Please call the MBTA Construction Hotline at 617-222-6757 with any questions or concerns.

Elsewhere in Dorchester...

The Mass. Affordable Housing Alliance celebrates the opening of their new "Homeownership University" at 1803 Dot Ave. with a "Raise the Roof" fundraiser Friday, Sept. 26, 5:30 PM at the UMass Boston Campus Center. For more information, please call Jennifer Tsolas at MAHA, 617-822-9100.

The Ashmont-Adams Association will hold their annual yard sale Saturday, Sept. 27, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. The Ashmont-Adams neighborhood is in the area bounded by Ashmont and Adams streets, Gallivan Blvd., and Dorchester Ave. For more information, please send an e-mail to: pattiashmont@netzero.net

The First Baptist Church in Dorchester, 401 Ashmont Street (at the corner of Ashmont and Adams), will hold their annual flea market Saturday Sept. 27 and Saturday Oct. 4, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All are welcome, and there is no admission fee. The fee for vendors is $25. For more information, please call 617-282-1391.

The FAMILY Farmers' Market is held Thursday afternoons, now through Oct. 23, 4:00 - 7:00 PM, at the Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington Street. In case of rain, the market will be held at 6 Norfolk Street. For more information, please call FAMILY Inc. at 617-822-8278.