St. Marks Area Main Streets
The SMAMS Connection                                                              Dec. 7, 2009


In this issue...
Year-End Appeal
Winter Stars Concert Dec. 12
Tree Lighting
Holiday Gift Wrapping at Tavolo
Holiday Helpers
Elsewhere in Dorchester
     Our Sponsors
 
Mt. Washington Bank Logo
 
 
Trinity Financial Logo 08-15-07


CWC builders Logo


WinnResidential Logo
 

Boston Main Streets Foundation Logo

 
Boston Community Change Card Logo
Year-End Appeal logo TIF
 
2009 has been a busy and productive year for SMAMS.  Our projects have included:
  • Setting up the first Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market, running July through October
  • Ashmont Station renovations
  • Peabody Square renovations, set to begin in 2010, including a safer intersection, additional green space, and pilot pollution control project
  • Working with police to improve public safety
  • Working to increase available parking on Dorchester Ave and Talbot Ave 
  • Technical assistance to businesses on zoning, licensing and marketing issues
  • Presentations by businesses to students at Epiphany School
  • Co-sponsoring the "Boston Pledge" business counseling program, also at Epiphany 
  • Outreach and job skills training for teens through our partnership with Neponset Health Center, with internships at local businesses planned for 2010 
 We receive generous support from our sponsors (in the left-hand column), but we also count on your financial help!  Please consider making a year-end contribution to further our common goal of revitalizing our business district and "Connecting Dot Ave!"  SMAMS is a 501.C.3 non-profit, so your donations are tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law. 
 
To donate online through PayPal, please click here.  Or, you can send a check, payable to "SMAMS", to:
St. Mark's Area Main Street, 1914 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124.
 
Thank you, with best wishes for the holiday season -
 
Dan Larner
Executive Director    
 
Winter Stars Concert Dec. 12
 
Please join SMAMS and the Boston City Singers for the Second Annual Winter Stars Concert - Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 PM, at All Saints Church Hall, 209 Ashmont Street.  The concert will feature the BCS' renowned youth choruses plus percussionist Kimani Lumsden.  Tickets are $10 each, $20 for a family.  For further information, please call BCS at 617-825-0674.
 
Holiday Tree Lighting
 
Holiday Tree Lighting 2009


Thanks to all who joined us Nov 28 for our first holiday tree lighting on the beautiful Ashmont Station Plaza, and for our traditional celebration at the Peabody Square Firehouse!

Thanks to our many co-sponsors:

Boston Fire Dept Engine 18/Ladder 6; Ashmont Hill Association; Ashmont-Adams Neighborhood Association; Florida Corridor Neighborhood Association; Fuller-Bailey Neighborhood Association; St. Mark's Area Civic Association; Dorchester Holiday Celebrations Committee; Mayor Thomas Menino; Councillor Maureen Feeney; Mayor's Office of neighborhood services/Lauren Smyth;  Boston Parks & Recreation; Boston Police Area C-11;  MBTA and Transit Police; City View Trolley; Dot Art; All Saint's Ashmont; Ashmont Convenience Store; Ashmont Grill; College Hype Custom Screenprinting & Embroidery; commentopia.com; Cynthia's Family Childcare; Dutch Maid Bakery; Flat Black Coffee Company; H. Levenbaum Insurance; O'Brien's Market & Liquors; Store 24; Tavolo Ristorante; and Trinity Financial. 
A special thanks to Scott Kelley, MBTA Construction Manager, who made sure the Plaza was finished in time for the celebration.
Holiday Gift Wrapping at Tavolo
gift wrap box
Are you one of those people who can't cut straight or tie a bow, or are you just too tired after shopping to wrap?  Let SMAMS help you!  Bring your gifts down to Tavolo in the Carruth Building.  Relax, grab a bite to eat, or watch the game.  For a small donation, SMAMS' elves will take care of all your wrapping headaches.  Proceeds will benefit SMAMS' ongoing work to revitalize our business district.

Wrapping times are:
  • Saturday Dec 19th, 3 - 7pm
  • Sunday Dec 20th, 1 - 7pm
  • Monday Dec 21, 4 - 8pm
  • Tuesday Dec 22, 4 - 8 pm
Thanks to sponsors Trinity Financial andTavolo Ristorante!

Holiday Helperscandy cane heart
 
There are several opportunities to make toy donations for our neighbors in need this season:
 
Ashmont Grill is taking donations of new, unwrapped, non-violent toys for Toys For Tots on Thursday, Dec. 10.  For more information, please call 617-825-4300. 
 
Wainwright Bank is taking new, unwrapped toy donations for the Bobby Mendes Foundation through Friday morning, Dec. 11.  For more information, please call 617-929-1906
 
St. Mark Parish is taking new, unwrapped toy donations for local children.  Fore more information, please call 617-825-2852.
 
Thank you!
Elsewhere in Dorchester...
 
The Parish of All Saints presents a Service of Lessons & Carols, sung by the acclaimed Choir of Men & Boys, Sunday, Dec. 20, 4:00 PM at All Saints, 209 Ashmont Street.  For more information, please call 617-436-6370 or visit www.allsaints.net