華林功夫太極館從摩頓、昆士到波士頓 余翠梅喜報第3家開張了

余翠梅在到賀民眾面前指揮舞獅。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導)大波士頓目前最受矚目女師傅余翠梅位於波士頓市西洛士百利（West Roxbury）的第3家華林功夫太極館，3月14日這天中午，在10頭瑞獅齊舞，鑼鼓聲喧上天的熱鬧中，開張啦！

Bob Rosen （左起），余翠梅，蘇靜恩三代師徒一起向祖師爺祭拜。（周菊子攝）

            余翠梅經營武館的歷程，有如10年磨一劍，最早 2006年在摩頓市（Malden），接著2016年在昆士市（Quincy），然後今年（2026）在波士頓市，連續開張3家武館，如今加總起來已有250多名學生。

            掛在牆上的華林功夫太極館“家族”成員則為26人，其中余翠梅、Amy Tran和如今在勒星頓學區擔任小學教育總監的蘇靜恩等3人為師父，其他的師兄姐中有不下9名洋人。

新館開張要祭祖。（周菊子攝）

            3月14日這天，余翠梅率徒弟蘇靜恩（Andrea So），邀得麻州眾議員Steven Ultrino，波士頓基金會亞美社區基金發起人李保華（Paul Lee），昆士市首名華裔學校委員會委員梁錦輝（Tom Leung）等嘉賓，為3頭瑞獅點睛，還請來財神，安排十頭瑞獅在以象徵吉祥的桔子所排出來的「發」字旁，配合鑼鼓聲的跳躍，舞動，大廳內圍滿到賀人群，煞是熱鬧。

            10歲出頭就開始追隨在波士頓華埠內開館授徒的華林派師傅Bob Rosen習武，成為武術名家陳培徒孫的余翠梅，過去這20

余翠梅（左起）請梁錦輝，李保華，Steven Ultrino等嘉賓來為瑞獅點睛。（周菊子攝）

多年來，不但自己從不懈怠的練功習武，還十分注重中華文化傳承，公益服務精神。不但武館牌位上安放有祖師肖像，還有「尊祖尊師尊教導，學仁學義學功夫」對聯，提醒學生要尊師重道，講究仁義，她自己也勤於學習，取得塔芙茨大學碩士學位，還熱心公益，舉辦過許多場自衛防身工作坊，支援地方上的節慶活動。她帥學生前往各地參加武術比賽，也得獎無數。

10頭瑞獅圍著一個發字，煞有氣勢。（周菊子攝）

            由於余翠梅的華林功夫太極館經常參與社區活動，她和摩頓市長Gary Christenson，昆市市長Tom Koch，以及轄區包括摩頓市的聯邦眾議員凱薩琳克拉克（Katherine M. Clark）也都熟稔十分。

            查詢華林功夫太極館詳情，可上網https://www.wahlumacademy.com/。

華林功夫太極館請梁錦輝，李保羅，Steven Ultrino等人拿筆，為瑞獅點睛。（周菊子攝）

武館梁柱上掛著師公陳培練武步法照片。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館第3家在波士頓市的西洛士百利開張了。（周菊子攝）

武館牆壁上還掛著紐英崙武術總會第一屆委員會的照片。（周菊子攝）

掛在牆上的武館人員表。（周菊子攝）

聯邦眾議員Katherine Clark頒獎表揚余翠梅。

Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Hails Growing Momentum in Efforts to Curb ICE Abuses in Massachusetts

Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Hails Growing Momentum in Efforts to Curb ICE Abuses in Massachusetts

BOSTON — On Wednesday, over 1,200 people packed the State House for the annual Immigrants’ Day advocacy event and held over 90 legislative meetings to call for urgent, meaningful protections against ICE abuses in our commonwealth. At the same time, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard many hours of powerful testimony supporting the intent and scope of the PROTECT Act, introduced by members of the Black and Latino caucus. The following day, a press conference held by Speaker Mariano offered further legislative support for these efforts by announcing the bill’s movement out of committee with modifications. The message of the week was clear: when it comes to ICE, we must show courage over fear. Above all, Bay Staters do not want their local police to collaborate with or assist a rogue federal agency that is wreaking havoc in our communities.  

In response to these events, the Protecting Massachusetts Communities Coalition issued the following statement :

“Elected officials here in Massachusetts have heard our calls and are moving quickly to craft a significant legislative response to ICE violence. The Black and Latino Caucus, together with House and Senate leadership, have developed substantive proposals that would introduce meaningful protections for Massachusetts communities. We are grateful for their leadership and their efforts to address this crisis. As our coalition members and supporters have testified, we strongly support a ban on collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, and an end to 287(g) agreements that deputize local officials as ICE agents.

 

“We are eager to work with lawmakers and pass the strongest possible protections with all due haste — because the Trump administration’s violent and hateful campaign of mass deportation shows no sign of abating. Every day, our neighbors are seized from their homes, cars, workplaces, and schools, leaving devastated communities in their wake. This cannot go on. We must be equally relentless in our efforts to secure justice, safety, and dignity for those we love.”

GBCCA今年力推3課程. 父子同樂、藝術探險、有氧舞蹈

大波士頓區中華文化協會（GBCCA )活動多。（沈慶雲攝）

             (Boston Orange綜合報導)大波士頓區中華文化協會（GBCCA ) 今年在牛頓市會所（384 Cherry St. Newton）推出3項新活動，每週日中午12點起，父子遊戲，藝術探險，有氧舞蹈，給人3種不同選擇，助力華裔家庭加強親子關係，培養手工藝技能，運動強身健體。

文協會長吳德惠（右）和父子同樂項目主持人李韶寧。（沈慶雲攝）

            文協會長吳德惠表示，文協很幸運，有非常多的熱心志工，也依照會員興趣，有許多不同分支，包括紐英崙青少年中文夏令營，大波士頓文協國樂團，雲鶴社，波士頓腰鼓隊，文協合唱團，華心中文學校，華心藝術學校等等，分別辦理許多活動。

岑婷安講青花瓷的故事。（沈慶雲攝）

            文協今年主推的3項活動，分別是李韶寧主持的「父子同樂：遊戲開始！（Dads and Sons: Game On!）」，岑婷安 (Crystal Chen)藉手工藝說故事，幫助小朋友認識中華文化的「藝術探險（Arts Explorers）」，以及唐士曾（Sena Hsu）以熱門歌曲做背景的「有氧舞蹈（Cardio Dance）」，各有特色。

            3月15日這天，岑婷安用青花瓷講故事，教“茶”字，5、6歲的小朋友在家長陪同中，自己動手做青花瓷，故事精彩，實作有趣，家長、小朋友都很開心。到現場探視的志工沈慶雲也聽得十分投入，直說岑婷安的「藝術探險」，是她這天最喜歡的課。

小朋友手工藝，學做青花瓷。（沈慶雲攝）

            根據文協提供的老師簡介，岑婷安從6歲起就會自己用碎布和膠水為芭比娃娃設計服裝。從康乃爾大學紡織與服裝設計系畢業後，她的設計作品曾登上《康乃爾紀事報》、Olive  Tjaden 藝術畫廊，甚至大衛·萊特曼的網站。

            岑婷安的藝術探索課，單次每堂課 $5，全年12堂課 $25，4月12日排定的主題是「小園丁（Little Gardeners）」，5月17日的主題是「龍舟和英勇傳奇（Dragon Boats & Brave Legends）」。

李韶寧（右一）帶父子同樂班。（沈慶雲攝）

            李韶寧自己是一名為了念研究所，從加州搬到波士頓的父親。同時在波士頓功校當社工的他，有2個分別9歲和6歲的小孩。他覺得在亞裔家庭中，父子關係常常不夠親密，因而特意設計了這樣的一個項目，希望藉著每月不同主題的遊戲，例如紙牌，中國扯鈴等，營造機會，讓亞裔男孩和父親能經由每月固定聚會，建立感情，加深父子之間的認識，一方面也幫助小男孩建立自信心，為爸爸們擴大社交圈。

有氧舞蹈班。（沈慶雲攝）

            唐士曾（Sena Hsu）是一名在波士頓出生長大的第三代華裔美人，曾經做了7年的時裝設計師，現在是小學5年級老師。她從8歲到18歲，學了10年的中國傳統舞蹈，希望藉著她自己的舞蹈基礎，配合K-Pop，嘻哈等熱門流行歌曲的音樂，讓上課的人瞬間融入，進而享受可以塑形，燃脂，令人振奮的有氧舞蹈。

            這些課程，查詢詳情可上網，https://gbcca.org/。

藝術愛默生訂4/24至5/3推出「秘密分享者」

ARTSEMERSON PRESENTS

THE SECRET SHARER

*****

A STAGE ADAPTATION OF JOSEPH CONRAD’S 1909 NOVELLA

WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE BY DNAWORKS

EMERSON PARAMOUNT CENTER

JACKIE LIEBERGOTT BLACK BOX

APRIL 24 – MAY 3, 2026

[Boston, MA – Friday, March 20, 2026]– ArtsEmerson, Boston’s leading presenter of contemporary world theater and film and the professional presenting and producing organization of Emerson College, is proud to present DNAWORKS’ World Premiere performance of The Secret Sharer, a gripping stage adaptation inspired by Joseph Conrad’s celebrated short story from April 24 – May 3, 2026 at the Emerson Paramount Center’s Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theater. This haunting and intimate theatrical experience invites audiences aboard a lone ship at sea where a young captain encounters a mysterious fugitive swimmer; a stranger who may also be his mirror.

 

Set against the vast isolation of the open ocean, The Secret Sharer explores the fragile boundaries between duty and compassion, authority, and self-discovery. As the captain secretly shelters the man aboard his ship, the encounter becomes a profound meditation on identity, resilience, and the quiet moments that shape who we become.

 

Through inventive staging and immersive storytelling, the production brings Conrad’s psychological drama vividly to life, transforming a classic literary work into a compelling dance-theatre journey that examines what it means to truly recognize ourselves in another.

 

“DNAWORKS is excited to be premiering The Secret Sharer in Boston, where I grew up and the seed of the project was planted — I first read the novella in my senior year of high school,” shares DNAWORKS Co-Founder Daniel Banks. “And we are especially honored to return to ArtsEmerson after their incredible hospitality for The Real James Bond…Was Dominican and their audience’s very warm reception. ArtsEmerson has supported the mission and development of this project for years, and it would not have been possible without their visionary programming. We look forward to sharing the intimacy and gentleness of this work and holding a resilient and healing space for Queer audiences and those who love and support us.”

 

“We are thrilled to present The Secret Sharer,” says Ronee Penoi, Interim Executive Director of the Office of the Arts & Director of Artistic Programming at ArtsEmerson. “This timeless story asks us to consider the moments when our sense of responsibility collides with our humanity. At its heart, The Secret Sharer reminds us that the path to understanding ourselves often begins when we encounter someone who reflects our own fears, doubts, and courage back to us.”

 

Tickets for The Secret Sharer may be purchased 24/7 at ArtsEmerson.org, or by calling 617-824-8400 (Tue-Sat from 12:00PM ET - 6:00PM ET). The Paramount Center Box Office (559 Washington Street, Boston) is open for walk-up service Thu-Sat from Noon - 6:00 PM ET. Tickets start at $27.50. Groups of 10+ attending a performance save up to 30%.

 

Dates:

April 24 – May 3, 2026

 

Venue:

Emerson Paramount Center

Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theater

559 Washington St

Boston, MA 02111

麻州地方市鎮面對財政危機 紛採措施加稅或刪減公共服務

             （Boston Orange 綜合編譯）麻州阿特爾伯勒市（Attleboro）最近傳出無力負擔高額營運維修費，有意把具歷史意義的卡普龍動物公園（（Capron Park Zoo）轉型為自然保護區與野生動物復育中心。彰顯麻州地方市鎮普遍面對經費難題，正縮減公共設施服務現狀。

            阿特爾伯勒市長 Cathleen DeSimone 說，維持卡普龍動物公園，10年 5,700 萬美元是維持動物園運作必備的硬性支出。在全市總預算每年僅約1.6到1.8億美元之際，若依照現狀營運「卡普龍」，得花掉3%到4%的總預算，在市政府面對健保開支漲幅8.4%，能源價格飆升，「卡普龍」門票收入近10年來持續下滑之際，負擔太沈重。

            一旦「卡普龍」轉型，阿特爾伯勒市每年可節省約90萬元的員工薪資，而園內瀕臨危險品種的東北豹（Amur leopard）等動物，必須撤出。

            麻州面對類似情況的至少還有大理石頭（Marblehead）市因為700萬美元的預算缺口，有意關閉Abbot公共圖書館。石東罕（Stoneham）市在市民發起「拯救石東罕」運動，去年12月投票通過推翻原有的稅收法，這才避免了關閉公共圖書館和溜冰場。阿靈頓鎮（Arlington）也因預算缺口將影響全鎮公共服務，鎮民們將於本月投票表決一項1480萬美元的推翻原有稅收法案。馬什菲爾德（Marshfield）鎮也因為預算可能短缺500到740萬元，全鎮公共服務將受影響，市府官員可能要求市民考慮推翻原有的稅收案。

            梅爾羅斯（Melrose）就因為市民否決了770萬美元的加稅案，不得不在2026財政年度預算中削減了610萬美元的員工薪資與服務開支。

            麻州各市鎮面對財政危機的原因，包括麻州有法案規定，每年房地產稅漲幅不得超過2.5%，但電力，修路等公共服務的維護成本，以及醫療保險和養老金保費的漲幅，卻遠超該一幅度。與此同時，麻州政府撥給地方市政府的無限制補助比20年前減少了35%。

            麻州市政協會（MMA）和塔芙茨大學（Tufts）州政策分析中心合作，2025年發布的「完美風暴：城市與城鎮面臨的歷史性財政壓力（A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face Historic Fiscal Pressures）」 研究報告給出來的數據是，麻州政府的無限制用途經費補助（UGGA）從2007年的在地方市政總稅收中佔比約11.5%，到2024年的5.4%，而2010年到2022年的州政府預算支出，平均每年增長2.8%，在在透露著地方市鎮面對財政收入大減，支出大增窘境。

            波士頓市其實也面對相似情況，在市中心辦公室空置率高達20%到30%，物業估值下滑9%，有些大樓在2025年的成交價和數年前相比，甚至跌了50%到70％，連波士頓政策機構（Boston Policy Institute）也警告道，未來5年，波士頓可能面對12億元到15億美元的累積稅收缺口。

            根據麻州資產納稅人協會（MTF）和麻州市政協會（MMA）的統計，在2025至2026財政年度中，麻州351個市鎮有54個市鎮提出了74項的稅收翻案（override），總金額超過1.58億美元，市1990年代以來，麻州第二大的集體請求加稅浪潮。

Boston Globe Names Supportive Housing Provider Commonwealth Land Trust Among Fastest Growing Organizations in New England

 Boston Globe Names Supportive Housing Provider Commonwealth Land Trust Among Fastest Growing Organizations in New England

BOSTON, MA - Commonwealth Land Trust (CLT), a nonprofit leader in affordable and supportive housing, has been recognized as one of New England’s fastest-growing organizations in 2026 by the Boston Globe. The Globe’s list, developed in collaboration with market insight company Statista, evaluated companies across New England based on their compound annual growth rate between 2021 and 2024. The annual ranking highlights organizations with broad impact on the region in a challenging economic climate. (Read the full Globe feature here.)

 

During this period, CLT expanded its impact, reaching over $15.8 million in revenue in 2024, and greatly expanding housing opportunities and supportive services for residents. 

 

“It is an honor and a privilege for the Boston Globe to recognize our work,” said Iva Comey, CEO of Commonwealth Land Trust. “The need for supportive housing has only increased since 2021. To be recognized for our strategy, dedication, and broad impact on supportive housing makes the work we do mean that much more.”

 

CLT’s inclusion on this list reflects its ability to adapt and grow during a time defined by economic uncertainty. As a nonprofit company operating across multiple areas of focus – real estate development, property management, and resident resources – CLT has built a model that allows for expansion while simultaneously meeting urgent community needs.

 

CLT’s approach combines providing housing with supportive services to help residents achieve long-term stability and improve overall well-being. Founded in 1984, CLT currently owns and manages more than 450 units of affordable housing across Eastern Massachusetts. 

 

“Our growing, positive impact in the communities we serve is due entirely to the dedication of our staff, partners, and stakeholders who make this work possible,” said Bruce Henderson, Chair of the CLT Board. “As we look forward, CLT remains committed to expanding access to safe and affordable housing where it is needed most.”

 

The Fastest-Growing Companies ranking is based on independently verified revenue data submitted by participating organizations and analyzed by Statista. To qualify, organizations were required to meet specific revenue goals in both 2021 and 2024, operate independently, and demonstrate organic growth over the three-year period. CLT was ranked thirty-fourth.

Senate to Vote on Firefighter, Construction Worker Safety Legislation

 Senate to Vote on Firefighter, Construction Worker Safety Legislation  

Bill to help prevent tragedies like 2014 deaths of Boston firefighters 

 

(BOSTON—3/19/2026) The Senate Committee on Ways and Means voted today to advance legislation that supports safety for firefighters and construction workers by tracking code violations around ‘hot work’ such as welding. 

 

The bill, S.1646, aims to help prevent tragedies like the 2014 nine-alarm fire in Boston’s Back Bay that resulted in the deaths of Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy. 

 

It would require the state to track written notices of code violations related to hot work—welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction—and make the information available to the public through an online database and an automated notification system. 

 

The Senate plans to take up the bill at its next session on Monday, March 23, just days before the 12th anniversary of the tragic Back Bay fire, which was started by welding work on a nearby railing. The Senate passed identical legislation in 2024 at the 10th anniversary of the fire. 

 

Sponsored by Senator Nick Collins (D-South Boston), the bill was advanced this session by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security with a 6-0 vote on December 3, 2025, following a public hearing held on May 7, 2025. 

 

All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website. Details of legislation up for consideration by the Senate are included in fact sheets available in the Senate press room. 

PLANNING DEPARTMENT ADVANCES LARGEST DOWNTOWN OFFICE-TO-RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION Mayor Wu, Chief Shen Celebrate Dr. Landsmark

PLANNING DEPARTMENT ADVANCES LARGEST DOWNTOWN OFFICE-TO-RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION

Mayor Wu, Chief Shen Celebrate Dr. Landsmark

BOSTON - March 19, 2026 - The Planning Department this month recommended approval of a new office-to-residential conversion project representing approximately 219,200 square feet (SF) to the BPDA Board. The approved project will create 255 new homes, including 52 income-restricted units, and will support approximately 203 construction jobs and 18 permanent jobs. The project is the largest office-to-residential conversion project to be approved by the Board and represents a new scale of conversion projects entering Mayor Michelle Wu’s successful office-to-residential conversion program.

Mayor Wu and Chief of Planning Kairos Shen also marked Dr. Ted Landsmark’s retirement from the BPDA Board and celebrated his tenure. Dr. Landsmark joined the Board in September 2014 and is currently the longest serving board member. During his tenure, the Board approved nearly 60,000 new housing units, including nearly 16,000 income restricted units. The Board approved projects representing $48.7 billion of investment and 138 million square feet of development around the City of Boston. 

“Ted Landsmark’s influence can be seen not only in the city’s growth and its skyline, but in the generations of planners, architects, and advocates he has mentored,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We are grateful to Dr. Landsmark for his years of public service and for pushing Boston to live up to its promise of being a home for everyone.”

Development Projects

Project at 280-300 Washington Street to create 255 new homes Downtown
Housing: 255 units, 52 income-restricted units
Jobs: 203 construction jobs, 18 permanent jobs
Community: New residents living Downtown
Sustainability: Adaptive re-use and preservation of existing building

Located in the heart of Downtown Crossing, this project will convert vacant office space into 255 new homes, 52 of which will be income-restricted, and will retain existing retail space on the ground floor. Due to updated zoning regulations Downtown, the project will not require zoning relief, allowing these new homes to be completed more quickly. This project is one of 24 applicants to Mayor Wu’s successful Office-to-Residential Conversion Program, which is on track to convert 29 buildings and 1.5 million square feet of empty office space into more than 1,700 new homes Downtown.  

In addition to these projects, the Board approved:

An update to a previously approved project at 69 A Street in South Boston to convert the approved office space into 24 units of housing

麻州長Healey宣佈取消週日禁獵令

Governor Healey Announces Support for Lifting Sunday Hunting Ban, Expanding Hunting Access  

Governor Healey to file legislation to expand hunting after overwhelming support at statewide public listening sessions 

DPH will also raise awareness about the emergence of tick-borne “alpha-gal syndrome” as a public health concern 

FALMOUTH - Governor Maura Healey today announced that she will introduce legislation to modernize Massachusetts’ outdated hunting laws, including allowing hunting on Sundays, expanding hunting with crossbows, and reducing setback distances for bowhunting and falconry. This is part of a holistic strategy to expand access for all to outdoor recreation, protect public health, increase food security and conserve biodiversity and was informed by robust public input.   

In a separate initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) also announced today proactive steps to monitor for and raise awareness about alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) by making cases reportable to the Department by healthcare providers and laboratories. AGS is a tick bite-associated allergic condition and an emerging public health concern in Massachusetts.  

“Hunting is a longstanding tradition that supports local economies, helps manage wildlife populations, and puts food on the table for families. It’s time we update our laws to reflect today’s needs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We know many Massachusetts residents travel to other states on Sundays to hunt, and we want them to be able to gather with friends and family here. By modernizing these rules, we can give wildlife experts better tools to manage our ecosystems and public health while expanding opportunities for people across Massachusetts to go outside and take part in this time-honored tradition.” 

“These changes will mean more tourism dollars going into our communities, while also boosting food security and protecting public health,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to make sure our public health infrastructure keeps pace, and making alpha-gal syndrome reportable is a commonsense step toward better protecting the people who spend time outdoors.”  

To inform the proposed legislative changes, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) held five public listening sessions across the state, generating significant interest with over 11,200 comments received. The majority of feedback supported all three changes, citing the need to modernize hunting laws to better meet wildlife management goals, improve hunting opportunities for working families, and reduce human-wildlife conflict.  

A full summary of public comments and recommendations can be found in the report delivered to the administration. Yesterday, the Fisheries & Wildlife Board endorsed the proposal. 

Governor Healey will file the following amendments in her upcoming supplemental budget: 

• Allow Sunday hunting: Massachusetts is currently one of only two states in the country with an outright ban on Sunday hunting. Allowing hunting on Sundays during limited hunting seasons will expand equitable access to outdoor recreation and provide MassWildlife with increased ability to manage healthy wildlife populations. 
• Allow crossbows for hunting: Massachusetts currently has the most restrictive crossbow hunting laws in the Northeast and only allows their use by hunters with a permanent disability. Crossbows are safe, effective, and ethical hunting implements, and are generally more accessible than traditional and compound bows because they require less physical strength to use. Removing the ban on crossbow hunting will help MassWildlife reach wildlife management goals and provide more equitable opportunities for all hunters.    
• Reduce setback limits for bowhunting: Massachusetts currently prohibits hunting within 500 feet of a dwelling except with permission. Reducing the setback for bowhunting to 250 feet would bring Massachusetts laws into alignment with neighboring states and could open up thousands of acres of land to hunting, especially in areas where wildlife populations are exceeding management goals. This will also remove the setback for falconry, the regulated practice of using a trained bird of prey to hunt, since it does not pose any public safety risk. 
  
  

“Our wildlife management tools are overdue for an update,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The public made clear in our listening sessions the many reasons to make these changes – this is the right call for conservation, public safety, and wildlife management. With these updates, wildlife experts will have the flexibility they need to manage wildlife populations responsibly across the state.” 

“These hunting law changes reflect today’s need for increased hunting access, popularity of archery, and people’s busy schedules. Working families often only have the weekend to participate in this tradition, connect with the outdoors and each other, and put food on the table,” said Department of Fish & Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We look forward to continued partnership with the Massachusetts Legislature, stakeholders, and the public to expand access and support healthy wildlife populations and habitats.” 

“We heard from thousands of people across Massachusetts who recognize the urgent need to modernize our hunting laws,” said MassWildlife Acting Director Eve Schlüter. “Farmers described crop damage and livestock losses, hunters emphasized the importance of access to help feed their families, and environmental organizations called for action to protect forests stressed by overabundant deer. These recommendations reflect a shared recognition of the important role regulated hunting plays in meeting today’s wildlife management challenges. MassWildlife stands ready to implement these updates in a safe and responsible way.” 

Without population management through hunting, overabundant wildlife can lead to forest degradation and biodiversity loss, human-wildlife conflict, agricultural damage, vehicle collisions, and greater risks of spread for wildlife- and human-diseases, such as tick-borne illnesses. As called for by the Massachusetts Biodiversity Goals, MassWildlife strives to expand science-based approaches to address overabundant wildlife populations, recognizing that the health of our ecosystems is closely tied to public health. 

Deer are a common food source for different tick species. Their populations have been linked to increased black-legged tick (also known as deer tick) populations in the state and may help support high rates of tickborne diseases such as Lyme disease. AGS, a non-infectious tickborne condition, is associated with the lone star tick whose arrival in Massachusetts is more closely linked with climate change than deer populations.  

Because AGS is an emerging condition in the state due to the northward expansion of lone star tick populations, DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein is declaring that AGS will be a reportable condition for one year beginning April 1, 2026, with the opportunity for a one-year extension. 

“By making alpha-gal syndrome a reportable condition by healthcare providers and laboratories, DPH will have the ability to measure the impact of this disease on public health and raise awareness among healthcare providers to improve diagnosis and management,” said Public Health Commissioner Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Using this data-driven approach, we also aim to educate residents so that they know how to take measures to protect themselves from tick bites.” 

“A publication by CDC and discussions with healthcare providers, especially from Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, indicate that there are parts of Massachusetts seeing elevated rates of alpha-gal syndrome, and we anticipate that this will continue to increase as we see the geographic expansion of the lone star tick across the state,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown, DVM. 

Unlike familiar infectious diseases spread by black-legged ticks that are already reportable conditions, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus, AGS is not an infectious disease, but rather an allergic condition also known as the “red meat allergy.” A bite from a lone star tick can trigger in some people an allergic reaction to the alpha-gal molecule that is present in mammalian meat and dairy products. AGS can be a serious, even life-threatening allergic condition. 

While the statewide goal for deer across Massachusetts is 12–18 deer per square mile, MassWildlife estimates there are over 100 deer per square mile on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in areas closed to hunting and where tickborne illness is a significant concern. Reducing deer density alone will not have a measurable public health impact on tickborne disease, but managing healthy deer populations will complement other public health prevention strategies to reduce tickborne illness. 

Governor Healey also recently expanded the deer hunting season on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, with a six-week winter primitive firearms and bowhunting season from January 1 through February 14, 2026. 

2026愛你的街區清潔活動 4/24, 25, 5/2舉行 即日起報名

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND THE OFFICE OF CIVIC ORGANIZING ANNOUNCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR 2026 LOVE YOUR BLOCK CLEANUPS

Annual spring neighborhood cleanups return as part of Boston 250 celebration

BOSTON - Thursday, March 19, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Civic Organizing (OCO) today announced that registration for the 2026 Love Your Block spring cleanups is now open. Events are scheduled to take place on April 24, April 25, and May 2 and residents can register here. Love Your Block is a citywide initiative that invites residents to host or join neighborhood cleanups and beautification projects across Boston. As the City celebrates the 250th anniversary for the country, this year’s cleanups highlight Boston’s history of community-led service and the legacy reflected in its neighborhoods and residents.



“Love Your Block reflects the pride residents take in their neighborhoods and the community spirit that defines Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we celebrate Boston 250, these cleanups continue a long tradition of neighbors coming together to care for the places we cherish and share. I encourage residents across the City to sign up, meet your neighbors, and help keep our streets, parks, and public spaces vibrant for everyone.”

 

For 11 years, Love Your Block has empowered residents to take ownership of their public spaces, strengthening community pride and civic engagement. Projects include park and street cleanups, open space revitalization, mulching, and flower plantings. Registration is currently open, with residents able to sign up through the Love Your Block webpage to host a cleanup or join an existing effort. Individual volunteers can also pre-register to join cleanups, with the Office of Civic Organizing matching participants to neighborhood cleanup sites after registration closes.

 

“Love Your Block is rooted in the idea that residents know their neighborhoods best,” said Nathalia Benitez-Perez, Director of the Office of Civic Organizing. “By providing tools, coordination, and support for community-led efforts, we strengthen residents’ connection to City Hall while empowering them to lead projects that make a lasting difference in the public spaces they care for and use every day.”

 

The Love Your Block registration period is now open and will close on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. This year’s cleanups will take place in every Boston neighborhood over two weekends. The dates are as follows:

 

Friday, April 24

Downtown

 

Saturday, April 25

Allston • Back Bay • Beacon Hill • Brighton • Chinatown • Dorchester • Fenway–Kenmore • Jamaica Plain • Leather District • Mid-Dorchester • Mission Hill • South Boston

 

Saturday, May 2

Bay Village • Charlestown • East Boston • Hyde Park • Mattapan • North End • Roslindale • Roxbury • South End • West End • West Roxbury • Wharf District

 

“Chinatown Main Street has been collaborating with Love Your Block for more than a decade, striving together to make a cleaner community,” said Debbie Ho, Executive Director of Chinatown Main Street . “Volunteers, friends, and community members will come together for the annual Spring Cleaning in Chinatown.

 

Following record participation last year, with more than 3,100 registered volunteers across 152 sites citywide, the Office of Civic Organizing is again partnering with the Boston Public Library and Boston Centers for Youth & Families and this year with community organizations such as the Fenway Community Center to serve as centralized pickup and drop-off locations for cleanup tools. The Office of Civic Organizing will provide cleanup supplies, including trash bags, gloves, brooms, rakes, trash pickers and a Love Your Block T-shirt, and will coordinate trash pickup in partnership with the Boston Public Works Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. 

 

All participating tool pickup locations are listed on the Love Your Block page, where individuals can also find guidance on how to host a cleanup site. Tool pickup will take place from 9:15 - 10:00 a.m., and tools must be returned to the same location between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

 

To better support volunteers and streamline communication, the Office of Civic Organizing has launched a new Love Your Block FAQ that provides answers to frequently asked questions about registration, tools, cleanup logistics, and volunteering.

 

“The Community Engagement Cabinet is thrilled to relaunch our annual Love Your Block cleanups,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of Community Engagement. “For over a decade, this initiative has brought communities together and inspired residents to do their part in keeping our neighborhoods clean. Together, we will continue to ensure Boston is a beautiful city, one block at a time.”