The now closed Dot. Ave bar, that is:

... The drinks were stiff and cheap, and served up in clear plastic cups. The bartenders had Irish brogues. The DJs played standard Top 40 hits, and the dancefloor would get packed by a pretty diverse crowd of Irish folks, Dot natives, and black kids. ...

Larry Davidson reports on an e-mail message he got from "a well-known Dorchester community activist with an incendiary temperament" urging people to stay off Dorchester Avenue because of two recent shootings - only one of which was actually on Dot. Ave.

... In reply, a calmer community activist pointed out that that's the worst possible way to keep Dot Ave safe: if we cede it to the gangs, if good people stay away, then it will become the territory of the violent. We need more sunshine, not more hiding.

First murder.
Second murder.

Whalehead King reports that when Dot. Ave. was repaved recently, some wiseass planted a nickle in the still soft asphalt at the intersection with Crescent Avenue and East Cottage Street. And now:

... Pedestrians spot the shiny nickel and try to pick it up, unable to gain any traction, all the while looking southward and trying to gauge the speed of oncoming automobiles. For the teenagers and layabouts who frequent this intersection, this is the best entertainment since reality television was invented. No tickets are sold. This show is free of charge. It is best to be there at rush hour when traffic is at its most congested, drivers are at their least tolerant and pedestrians, tired after a long day at work, are walking with their heads bent down looking for a bit of luck. ..