Fresh Fridays series kicks off Aug 3d!

FRESH FRIDAYS: A Global Fusion of Taste & Sound
OPENING NIGHT – Friday Aug 3d, 2012
The “Midsummer Soiree” - A Global Tapas and Community “Mocktail” Party, featuring Live Jazz, Delicious Food & Exotic “Mocktails” by local guest mixologists and chefs, is happening from 6 to 8PM, at First Parish Church, 10 Parish St., Dorchester 02122.
  
The Dorchester Community Food Co-op and Sustainability Guild International are presenting an exciting series of Friday night events August through September. There will be live entertainment & savory food and beverages, and activities for children. Join in a celebration of the essence of Dorchester through diverse voices, talents and flavors!

UPCOMING FRESH FRIDAYS:
Aug 10:   Fusion & Spice
Aug 17:   Elementary Delights
Aug 24:   Around the Table
Sept  7:    Garden Memories
Sept 14:   Community Bounty/Community Beauty

The Fresh Fridays event series is co-sponsored by the Dorchester Community Food Co-op and Sustainability Guild International and made possible by the Boston Public Health Commission Strategic Alliance for Health. Please, click here for more information.

2012 Dorchester farmers' market season is here!

We're excited that farmers' market season is here again, with fresh, high-quality, local-grown healthy food available and accessible for all. Vendors are local farms and small-scale food businesses that provide area residents with affordably-priced fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, bread and – BRAND NEW this season – fresh-caught fish. At Dorchester farmers' markets SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupons are accepted as well as cash, and most accept Boston Bounty Bucks which allows SNAP/EBT users to double their dollars on farmers market purchases up to $20! Some also take credit/debit cards.
Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market - Fridays 3-7PM, open July 6 to Oct 19,
Bowdoin Geneva Farmers Market - Thursdays 3-6:30PM, open June 28 to Oct 25,
Codman Square Farmers' Market - Thursdays 1-6PM, open June 21 to Oct 25,

help clean up your part of Dorchester

The Boston Shines annual citywide volunteer event encourages us to get out and help clean up winter's debris - this year it is Saturday April 28th. The City of Boston needs residents' assistance to keep the city clean - so please check with your local neighborhood group or elected official about a clean-up effort nearby (click here for a good online resource to find your neighborhood group/elected officials). If there isn't an event happening on your street, consider organizing one!    

A change is in the air...

On March 28, the public is invited to a community forum to discuss the quality of the air we breathe, in and around our homes, schools, jobs, roads, and public spaces. Help create a healthier city! Starts 5:30 PM at Dorchester House, sponsored by NIEHS. For more, click here.

Feb 11 - How to Green your Historic Home!

Join historic preservation experts for a free workshop on energy efficiency in older houses! - at the Adams Street Library. There is also the option to tour the nearby Pierce House. Click here for details.

about Smart Growth

design for Ashmont 'Pedal & Park'
construction Spring 2012

Here is an opportunity for free registration to the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in San Diego in February! It involves taking a survey which must be completed by Dec. 9, 2011.
What is Smart Growth you ask? Here in Dorchester we have some good examples - the Ashmont T station and adjacent mixed use Carruth Building development, mixed use development projects, one newly built and one under construction, near the new Fields Corner T station, the reconstruction of Dorchester Avenue. See this link for more about Smart Growth and contact GreenDorchester if you are interested in getting involved in local efforts in our community.

Shop Local in Dorchester!

Support local shopping! - tonight Nov 16th it's the fab annual Martinis on the Avenue fundraiser to support the work of Fields Corner Main Street and St Marks Area Main Street, two organizations doing great things for commercial districts along Dorchester Avenue. And tomorrow evening Nov. 17th the Lower Mills Holiday Stroll at the southern end of Dorchester Ave., where the Neponset River flows-- check out both Milton and Dorchester shops! The 'Shop Small' idea helps our neighborhood businesses while doing good for the planet!