dorchester

Boston Police have stepped up enforcement aimed at prostitution along Dorchester Ave. Commanders deployed a team of decoy officers last week to target the demand side of the illicit sex trade. That means going after potential “johns” who drive the avenue in search of prostitutes. The Reporter observed one such operation last Friday morning. It led to the arrest of three men who were allegedly seeking sex for a fee. Boston Police tell the Reporter that they’ve arrested more than 60 people this year— most of them along Dot Ave.- for prostitution. Another 38 women have been arrested on old warrants for the same charge. Men caught in the act face a $300 fine for the misdemeanor charge, But city law also calls for their car to be impounded for two days. City Councillor Frank Baker -- who has called for more enforcement -- says that he thinks the police activity is having an impact.

Work Nearly Completed on Neponset River Bridge

Major construction work on the Neponset River bridge will be largely wrapped up by next week, according to state officials. They say that traffic congestion should ease up along Morrissey Boulevard as a result. The $34 million job started back in April 2010. The work to rebuild the 42-year-old bridge will still require occasional lane closures until March.

Dorchester Community Calendar. . . .

It’s a very busy weekend in Dorchester— and a great one for artists and their fans. It’s Open Studios weekend in Dorchester – the tenth annual event. More than 140 local artists are participating in what organizers say is the biggest neighborhood-wide event yet. Organized by the Dorchester Arts Collaborative, the weekend kicks off on Friday evening at the Great Hall in Codman Square. The 6:30 p.m. event is a cabaret of live performances. Saturday and Sunday features afternoon events at dozens of locations. One of the most popular stops — and a good place to get oriented— is First Parish Church on Meetinghouse Hill. The church will host the work of some two-dozen painters, photographers, jewelers and others. To get a closer look at the schedule- check out the website dac-online.org or go to our website, DotNews.com

You don’t have to drive into northern New England to experience the glory of foliage. Its peak season right here in Boston— and one of the best spots to enjoy the colors is Dorchester’s Cedar Grove Cemetery. On Saturday, there’ll be a walking tour of the cemetery at 10 a.m. The walk focuses on the trees with experts from Boston Natural Area Network and the Urban Forest Council. The walk is free. Also on Saturday, another cool outdoor event: the great pumpkin float returns to Pope John Paul II Park in Neponset. The Halloween-themed event starts at 5:30 p.m. Hundreds of costumed children and their families participate each year. You bring the pumpkins, 6 to 8 inches in size. Organizers bring floats for an illuminated trip down Davenport Creek. Free hot cocoa and candy treats are there as well. The event is free and no registration is required. Cedar Grove Gardens at 911 Adams St. will host its annual all-ages Harvest Festival from 1-3 p.m. on October 28. The event includes horse-drawn hayrides across the street in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Again that event is on Saturday the 28. This weekend is a big one for St. Gregory’s in Lower Mills. The neighborhood’s oldest Catholic parish will mark its 150th anniversary with a 4pm Mass on Saturday. That’s followed by a gala event at Florian Hall. The neo-Gothic church on Dorchester Ave. will also host a breakfast on Sunday morning at the parish gym.

Immigrant Entrepreneurs Rehab Old Industrial Building

Finally tonight, congratulations to Dorchester’s own Feeney Brothers Excavation Company. They have recently relocated their 200-employee business into the restored Sturtevant mills building. That’s on Park Street in Dorchester and was a significant investment in the neighborhood. The Feeneys- Greg and Brendan— are Irish immigrants who’ve carved out a strong niche as underground utility workers in Boston. They’ll be honored by our sister paper, the Boston Irish Reporter, tomorrow at a luncheon at the Seaport Hotel. It will be the second award of the day for the Feeneys. They are also being honored tomorrow morning at the State House along with other immigrant entrepreneurs from around the state. Congrats to the Feeney family.

For more news from Dorchester, visit the Reporter.