Pictured at the second annual "You Matter!" soiree are, left to right, Evelyn Rivera Beaudreault, Elizabeth Stone House co-executive director; Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Sandy Burrill, Stone House volunteer; Nancy Owens Hess, Stone House co-executive director; and Maryann Civitello, president of the Stone House's board of directors. (Photo by Karen McCall)

On June 18, more than 150 guests attended the second annual "You Matter!" soiree, held at the Commandant's House in Charlestown.

Sponsored by the Elizabeth Stone House, the event honored Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino with the organization's "You Matter!" award for his dedication to affordable housing and continued support of the Boston non-profit, which helps women and families rebuild their lives after experiencing many different forms of trauma.

"I am deeply honored and proud to receive this award. A key factor to stopping and preventing domestic violence requires working together as a community to provide safe and affordable housing options to victims and others in need," said Mayor Menino. "My administration has worked diligently to secure priority standing on housing wait lists for domestic violence victims and will continue to work with various city agencies to provide as many housing options as possible."

The Elizabeth Stone House also presented Sandy Burrill of Quincy with the first annual "Marcia Gordon You Did It!" award. Ms. Burrill, who is a domestic violence survivor, a former Elizabeth Stone House resident and a current Stone House volunteer, was honored for overcoming many obstacles in her life and changing the lives of others.

Among the guests enjoying the evening's festivities were Sheridan Haines, the Director of the Governor's Council on Sexual and Domestic Violence; Marie Turley, the Executive Director of the Boston Women's Commission; and Toni Troop, Director of Development and Public Affairs for Jane Doe Inc.

"You Matter!" was created in 2008 to celebrate the Elizabeth Stone House's supporters and the continued generosity they show to the organization.

Founded in 1974 in Roxbury, the Elizabeth Stone House provides safe shelter, advocacy, parenting classes and economic development programs to the women and families it serves. It is the only program in eastern Massachusetts that specializes in working with battered women with additional mental health and substance abuse issues.

For information about the organization and its programs, call 617-427-9801 or visit www.elizabethstonehouse.org.

"Samuel Adams Beer Dinner" Scheduled

Latitude 43 Restaurant & Bar, located at 25 Rogers Street on Gloucester Harbor, will host a "Samuel Adams Beer Dinner" at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7.

The six-course dinner will showcase Samuel Adams Beer both as an ingredient in menu items as well as being paired with each course.

Guests will be hosted by Corporate Chef Jeff Cala and Samuel Adams regional representative Kelly Larosa. Each will offer commentary and insight into the creation of the dishes as well as the respective pairings.

Chef Cala commented, "Aside from being a staple in our Captain's Courageous Tavern, beer can also add great flavor to a wide range of recipes. Our Samuel Adams dinner on July 7 provides a unique opportunity for devoted beer-lovers to discover something new while sharing a summer's night of great beer, great seafood and great conversation."

As seating is limited for this special dinner, advance reservations are recommended. For tickets and information, please call the restaurant at 978-281-0223.

Free Latin Music Series for Boston Public Parks

From merengue and salsa to Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz, the fifth-annual "Tito Puente Latin Music Series" promises to heat-up two of Boston's neighborhood public parks in July with danceable rhythms.

The series - presented by Berklee College of Music, Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, and ParkARTS - features Berklee faculty, students, and guest artists hailing from various parts of Latin America, including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Mexico.

The free music series takes place on four Thursday evenings-July 9, 16, 23, and 30-outdoors in two locations in the city.

The concert on July 9 is at Mozart Park, 10 Mozart St., in Jamaica Plain, accessible by the Jackson Square T stop on the orange line.

The concerts July 16, 23, and 30 take place at O'Day Park, next door to Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, 85 West Newton Street, in Boston's South End.

All concerts are from 7 to 9 p.m. The parks are wheelchair accessible.

For more information, call 617-927-1717, or visit www.berklee.edu/events/summer.

Enjoy!

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