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星期四, 6月 30, 2016

MAYOR WALSH JOINS RALLY TO DEMAND ACTION ON GUN VIOLENCE


MAYOR WALSH JOINS  RALLY TO DEMAND ACTION ON GUN VIOLENCE
Mayor Walsh at the rally
Photo by Jeremiah Robinson, Mayor's Office

BOSTON - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Attorney General Maura Healey, Congressman Joseph Kennedy and Sheriff Steven Tompkins and elected officials from across the Commonwealth for a rally on the Massachusetts State House steps to demand action on ending gun violence.

"Gun violence is a defining issue of our time," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud to stand here with other Massachusetts leaders to demand action on gun control -- even one gun-related death is too many. We cannot afford inaction on a national level, and I urge our leaders in Congress to pass the common-sense gun legislation our country supports and needs."

Mayor Walsh's remarks at the rally builds on the City of Boston's commitment to stopping the gun violence that affects too many families. Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, the City of Boston and the Boston Police Department (BPD) have made gun violence reduction and combating illegal gun trafficking a top priority in the City. The City has developed and implemented a holistic approach that engages with partners at the federal, state, local and community levels. Since 2014 to 2016, 2,192 firearms have been recovered by the BPD.

These efforts start with positive interactions on the streets and in school classrooms, include proactive prevention and diversion for at-risk youth and their families, and provide pathways away from violence for those who are ready to make a change. Community policing is a long term investment in partnerships and relationship building that creates trust, provides those in need connections to services and opportunities and supports early prevention and problem solving.

Specific initiatives established by the City include:

New England Regional Gun Violence Summit
The New England Regional Gun Violence Summit is an initiative established by Mayor Walsh in 2014 that brings together city leaders from across New England to work collaboratively to share strategies to reduce gun violence and reduce trafficking of illegal firearms. This regional partnership focuses on collaboration and open dialogue about the reality of gun violence in New England cities. In FY16, two Summits were convened, one in November 2015, and another in April 2016. To date, significant actions have been taken by cities across the region, a result of the direct connections made between cities and law enforcement agencies with field experts and community partners.

Arms With Ethics Regional Pilot Program
Through a $25,000 grant from the Boston Foundation (TBF), the non-profit Arms With Ethics will work with Boston to lead a multi-city pilot program in the New England Region to develop customized law enforcement-led projects focused on preventing the illegal flow and illegal use of guns.

Replica Hand Gun Ban
In November 2015,  Mayor Walsh signed an ordinance banning replica handguns in public spaces. Given the authentic look of many of the replica handguns on the street, residents and even police officers have a difficult time determining what a real firearm versus an imitation firearm is.

Responsible Purchasing Initiative
In conjunction with the Arms with Ethics Responsible Gun Vendor Initiative, going forward BPD will require all firearm vendors and retailers who respond to bids for the purchase of Department firearms to complete a survey about responsible gun vendor practices and include their responses to the survey with their bid response

These responses will be included as part of the overall bid package, and will be evaluated by the Department to ensure the vendors and retailers are following best practices in their own company to prevent illegal gun sales and theft.

Piece for Peace Buyback Program
The gun buyback program is a proactive campaign to take guns off Boston's streets. The buyback program asks city residents to turn-in their gun(s) at designated drop-off locations citywide in return for a $200 Visa gift card. The "no questions asked" program allows individuals to anonymously dispose of firearms without fear of charges for illegal possession when turning in the weapon at a designated drop-off location.

Community Engagement
Peace Walks with clergy and other community partners in neighborhoods most impacted by violence.  These took place daily in August and September, and will be continuing once a week until Christmas

This year, Commissioner Evans created a Social Justice Task Force, comprised of community leaders and advocates to advise him on ways to improve the department and strengthen community trust.

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS $2.98B FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS $2.98B FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET 
Reform-oriented Budget Implements Cost-Saving Measures;
Reinvests in Thriving, Healthy, and Innovative City
BOSTON - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today signed a $2.98 billion Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) City Budget that achieves savings through smart, data-oriented management; tackles structural challenges identified through operational reviews and planning; and makes targeted investments ranging from access to quality early childhood education, to addressing chronic and veteran homelessness, to reducing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response time.  

"I am proud to sign a budget that makes Boston a safer, stronger and more compassionate city for many years to come," said Mayor Walsh. "Through better use of data and overtime reforms that save us money, we are able to make new investments in our schools, parks, libraries, homeless services, street safety, EMS capacity, 311 services, the arts, small business, firefighter safety and more. I thank Council President Wu, Councilor Ciommo and the entire Council for their partnership in our efforts."

"I commend my fellow City Councilors for their active participation and strong advocacy during this budget season. The budget proposed by Mayor Walsh and approved by the Council makes careful use of limited resources and invests in the many critical needs of our City," said City Council Ways and Means Committee Chairman Mark Ciommo.

Based on recommendations from operational reviews and a data-driven approach to managing government, the FY17 Budget includes several reforms, including:
  • Boston Public Schools will deploy a new transportation tap card system to gain data to run a more efficient student transportation system, which will save $10 million in FY17. Through data about ridership, BPS will work to improve bus routing to reduce the number of trips. The system will also provide real-time information to parents about their students' bus ride.
  • City departments have eliminated over 100 long-term vacant positions saving $4.7 million in FY17 without impacting service levels.
  • Building on work over the last two years to assess and inventory the Library's print collection, in FY17 Boston Public Library is refocusing Special Collection's work to improve inventory management, a key recommendation of their 2015 operational review.
     
  • Evaluation of Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) programing found that the department could more effectively meet youth, families' and seniors' need for longer evening and weekend community center hours and a dedicated senior center by redeploying existing resources. With this reform, BCYF will make cost-neutral changes to dedicate the Grove Hall Community Center as a senior center, expand operating hours at all stand-alone sites, expand Saturday evening hours, enable five centers to operate 7-days per week, and allow 17 centers to operate 6-days per week.
     
  • The Budget allows for realignment of several City departments including Department of Neighborhood Development, Economic Development, Property Management and Public Facilities to more efficiently and effectively meet their core missions.
     
  • Based on the Fire Department's operational review, the FY17 budget allows for improved Fire fleet maintenance and deploys a new apparatus replacement plan to promote firefighter safety and improve the state of fire engines and ladders.
The much needed reform measures being implemented in FY17 make possible increased investments across City government. Mayor Walsh's FY17 Budget maintains high levels of funding in Boston Public Schools at $1.032 billion and public safety at $578 million and uses savings to make targeted investments in a thriving, health and innovative City. Through these investments the City will:
  • Increase access to quality early childhood education by expanding Boston Public Schools' K1 programming by another 200 seats, building on the 200 seats added over the last two years.
     
  • Launch the Superintendent's new Excellence for All pilot program, which will offer 4th graders in 13 schools access to rigorous and enriched experiences, bringing the benefits of the Advanced Work Classes to a more diverse set of students and equipping them with new skills such as foreign languages and robotics.
     
  • Support the Homeless Action Plan to End Chronic and Veteran Homelessness, by providing front door triage staff at Pine Street Inn, rapid re-housing rental assistance, additional emergency shelter to families, and low barrier permanent supportive housing for the homeless.
     
  • Launch Parks First, a comprehensive initiative ensuring that Boston's open spaces are among the Nation's most accessible and equitable. 
     
  • Support the opening of nine Early Voting sites, one in each of the city's nine council districts, to increase voting opportunities for all qualified voters for the November 2016 election. 
     
  • Allow Boston 311 call takers to have the ability to interact with residents through interpreters, and allow the City to be able to translate more newsletters, press releases, and other notices in a variety of languages.
     
  • Streamline access to small business resources through a single point of contact and provide small businesses with technical assistance to help businesses improve their marketing, access capital markets, enhance strategy and operations, and gain human resources training.
     
  • Reduce EMS response times by adding additional EMTs and new ambulances.
     
  • Allow individuals seeking information about, or access to, addiction treatment services to reach the PAATHS (Providing Access to Addictions Treatment, Hope and Support) program through Boston's 311 service.
     
  • Modernize public safety by supporting the Police body camera pilot, revitalizing Police radios, and upgrading Boston's E-9-1-1 system.
     
  • Use $1 million in Boston Redevelopment Authority public benefit funds to better serve and support the artists of Boston.
In addition to taking immediate steps in FY17 to improve City operations and meet demands for programs and services, the Walsh Administration continues work to tackle long-standing challenges and future unknown cost drivers. The City is actively working to negotiate affordable collective bargaining agreements with almost all of its unions - salary increases in these agreements will have a direct impact on dollars available in FY17 and in the coming years. The Boston Public School's Long-Term Financial Planning Committee is working on a long-term plan for the District's solvency with recommendations that will address cost-drivers and revenue opportunities. Given stagnant state revenue, the City will expand its efforts and also focus on maximizing local receipt collection. Finally, the Walsh Administration will continue to advocate for reforms to charter school finance that protect Boston taxpayers while allowing for moderate growth in the charter school cap.

The FY17 Budget builds on the Walsh Administration's record of fiscal responsibility, commitment to addressing its long-term liabilities and strong data-driven management. The City's success in these areas was validated in 2016 by the affirmation of Boston's triple A bond rating.

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Quincy more than 65% toward 2016 Energy Efficiency Goal

Quincy more than 65% toward 2016 Energy Efficiency Goal
Quincy– The Quincy Saves Program announced that they have already exceeded 65% of their goal of having Quincy residents complete 701 home energy assessments by December 2016.  If the City’s goals are met, the City will earn $40,000 from National Grid towards a community project.  With 473 assessments already completed, the team is well on their way to accomplishing their goals, but the City still encourages every Quincy resident to get a home energy efficiency assessment.
The assessments are provided at no-cost to eligible Quincy residents, and result in reducing residents’ energy bills. The work during the 701 assessments will collectively save over $500,000 in energy bills for those residents over the 10 year average lifetime of the installed measures. The impact of the work will reduce Quincy’s greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent of taking 58 cars off of the road each year.
“Every resident who gets a home energy assessment is a winner.  They will personally reap the benefits of saving energy which helps keep their household costs down, and they will contribute towards reducing the energy needs for the City.  After installing energy efficiency measures, many find their homes are more comfortable, and they are saving money.  Collectively, we’re reducing emissions that are a public health problem and contributor to climate change, “ says Shelly Dein, Quincy’s Energy and Sustainability Director.
The City of Quincy is partnered with the nonprofit organization HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team) and HomeWorks Energy, a leading home performance contractor providing the Mass Save no-cost Home Energy Assessments.
During the assessment, the HomeWorks Energy Home Energy Specialist will install energy saving devices such as LED and CFL lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and energy efficient plug strips at no cost. The assessment also includes an evaluation of insulation levels as well as a test of the home’s heating and cooling systems for safety and efficiency.

The Quincy Saves program ends in December 2016.  Call now to get your assessment and contribute to the energy efficiency and overall well-being of the City of Quincy.   Contact HomeWorks Energy at 617.885.9889 or visit HomeWorksEnergy.com/Quincy-Saves to schedule your no-cost home energy assessment.

Baker-Polito Administration Names Appointees to Three Opioid Special Commissions

Baker-Polito Administration Names Appointees to Three Opioid Special Commissions

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced appointees to three special commissions created under the landmark opioid legislation signed into law earlier this year. Two commissions, a Special Commission to Study the Incorporation of Safe and Effective Pain Treatment and Prescribing Practices into the Professional Training of Students that may Prescribe Controlled Substances and a Special Commission to Examine the Feasibility of Establishing a Pain Management Access Program, are comprised of public and private industry experts from across the Commonwealth, including six appointments each from the Governor. Marylou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, also announced four recent appointees to the Special Commission to Investigate and Study State Licensed Addiction Treatment Centers.

“Earlier this year, I was honored to sign landmark legislation including the first law in the nation to limit first time adult opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply, and other important prevention and education provisions recommended by our opioid working group,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I look forward to reviewing the recommendations produced by these commissions over the next several months and working with the Legislature, the healthcare community, our medical schools, and all other stakeholders to evaluate how they may help in our fight against the opioid epidemic.” 

“Today’s appointments represent a diverse group of some of the top industry professionals the Commonwealth has to offer,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These Special Commissions will significantly contribute to our goal of equipping the Commonwealth’s physicians with the necessary tools to take a holistic approach when treating their patients.”

The Special Commission to Study the Incorporation of Safe and Effective Pain Treatment and Prescribing Practices into the Professional Training of Students that may Prescribe Controlled Substances will submit recommendations on or before December 1, 2016. The Special Commission is tasked with developing recommendations to ensure future prescribers have an understanding of certain fundamental issues relative to the opioid epidemic, including: pain treatment, pain treatment planning, safe prescribing practices and prescription monitoring.  Per the legislation, the Governor will appoint Myecia Minter-Jordan as Chair of the Special Commission. Click here for Section 58, Chapter 52 of the Acts of 2016, establishing the Special Commission.

The Special Commission to Examine the Feasibility of Establishing a Pain Management Access Program will file an initial report on or before November 1, 2016 and then a final report on or before November 1, 2017. The Special Commission will analyze the potential usefulness of the Commonwealth establishing a pain management program in order to increase access to pain management services. This Special Commission will be co-chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders and UMass Medical School Chancellor Michael Collins. Click here for Section 59, Chapter 52 of the Acts of 2016, establishing the Special Commission.

“These commissions are essential to finding new and innovative prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery strategies and to ensuring that individuals who need medication for pain management have access to safe and effective treatment options,” said Secretary Sudders.  “These Commissions will further the administration’s commitment to tackling the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth.”

Secretary Sudders recently appointed four members to the Special Commission to Investigate and Study State Licensed Addiction Treatment Centers: Marcia B. Julian, Esq., John “Jack” P. Reilly, Doris E. Kraemer and Emily F. Stewart. This Special Commission is tasked with studying the effectiveness of state licensed addiction treatment centers. The commission will submit recommendations in January 2017.

In November, 2015 the Baker-Polito Administration, in partnership with the deans of the Commonwealth’s four medical schools and the Massachusetts Medical Society released a pioneering set of medical education core competencies for the prevention and management of prescription drug misuse. The set of cross-institutional core competencies is aimed at ensuring all medical students across the Commonwealth are trained in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies regarding prescription drug misuse. In February, 2016 the Baker-Polito Administration also announced, in partnership with the deans of the Commonwealth’s three dental schools and the Massachusetts Dental Society, a first-in-the-nation set of dental education core competencies for the prevention and management of prescription drug misuse.

Appointees to a Special Commission to Study the Incorporation of Safe and Effective Pain Treatment and Prescribing Practices into the Professional Training of Students
that may Prescribe Controlled Substances (6)
Todd Brown, MHP, R.Ph.:
Dr. Todd Brown is currently the Vice Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and of the School of Pharmacy at the Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences. Dr. Brown, a graduate of Northeastern’s Bouve College of Health Sciences, has over thirty years of pharmaceutical experience. Mr. Brown also currently serves as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Independent Pharmacists Association and has spent time at all levels of the pharmaceutical field in the past.

Marybeth Cooper, Ph.D, DM:
Dr. Cooper currently serves as the 13th President of Springfield College, where she has developed community focused programs, including ‘the Learning Commons’ and ‘Study Circle.’ These initiatives have encouraged community involvement and helped to develop ground-breaking learning methods that allow the engagement of diverse segments of the school’s population. Dr. Cooper previously served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the college. She received her B.A. at University of Delaware, and went on to earn her Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Administration and a Doctorate of Management from Case Western Reserve University.

Nitigna Desai, MD:
Dr. Nitigna Desai has over two decades of experience researching substance abuse. A Harvard Medical School graduate, Dr. Desai currently serves as Director of Addiction Psychiatry at Bedford Veteran Affairs Medical Center and Director of Substance Abuse Service Line within the Psychiatry Department at New England Healthcare. Additionally, she works as an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School (BUMC) and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is also the fellowship site director for Addiction Psychiatry fellowship for BUMC  and UMASS Medical School.

Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA:
A trained physician, Myechia Minter-Jordan currently serves as the President and CEO of the Dimock Community Health Center, a nonprofit health and social service agency, which, among other things, works to enhance the viability and accessibility of health care to the community which it serves. As an instructor at Harvard Medical School and a faculty advisor for the Agents of Change Program there, Myechia understands the integral part that education plays in the minds of our young people. Dr. Minter-Jordan graduated from Brown Medical School and earned an M.B.A from Johns Hopkins University.

Brad Ulrich:
Brad Ulrich has been working in the pharmaceutical industry for almost 20 years. A graduate of Purdue University, Mr. Ulrich has worked on Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s ‘New Bostonians’ Advisory Council, and currently serves as Regional Vice-President for The Walgreen’s Company.

Joan Vitello-Cicciu, Ph.D., RN: 
Dr. Joan Vitello-Cicciu joins the Governor’s Commission with significant clinical and administrative experience, holding degrees in both Nursing and Human & Organizational Systems. She currently serves as the Dean of the University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Nursing in Worcester. Dr. Vitello-Cicciu has worked in hospitals and organizations around the Commonwealth in both clinical and administrative roles throughout her career where she has proven herself proficient in the restructuring of clinical services, the recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare providers, and the management of patient care service costs across both the public and private healthcare sector.

Appointees to a Special Commission to Examine the Feasibility
of Establishing a Pain Management Access Program (6)
Dr. Thomas Lynch Jr. , MD:
Dr. Thomas Lynch is currently the CEO and chairman of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, and previously served as the Director of the Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief. Prior to his time at Yale, he served as chief of Hematology-Oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Cancer Center and director of the Center for Thoracic Cancers. Dr. Lynch graduated from Yale University and Yale Medical School.

Dr. Paul Mendis, MD:
Dr. Paul Mendis currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neighborhood Health Plan. He brings over thirty years of healthcare executive experience to the Governor’s Opioid Commission, having previously served in leadership roles at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Harvard Community Health Plan and the Dimock Community Health Center. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Medical School, he specializes in Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial managed care. Dr. Mendis operates on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans,the Community Medical Alliance, and the Dimock Community Health Center.

Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Ph.D.:
Rosa Rodriguez has spent the past twenty years in higher education and has taught in both the United States and her home country of Spain. She is currently an Associate Professor and the Program Head of Health Policy and Management at UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Professor at Universidad Europea and Ohio State University. She earned her B.S. in Economics from University Carlos III in Madrid, Spain and went on get her Doctorate in Health Economics from University of Barcelona, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2016 she earned her Masters in Clinical Research from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Julian Robinson, MD:
Dr. Julian Robinson has significant health care experience in OB/GYN care, clinical research, and management services. Dr. Robinson currently works as Chief of Obstetrics at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and serves as an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Robinson is a graduate of the University of London and has been recognized for his outstanding work in clinical excellence by Top Doctors In Boston, Boston Magazine, and Castle Connolly.

Scott Sigman, MD:
Dr. Sigman is an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in sports medicine, and was the former Chief of Orthopedics at Lowell General Hospital. He is graduate of Tufts University, the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Sigman has worked with UMass Lowell Athletics, the Boston Cannons, the Lowell Lock Monsters, and the US Olympic/World Cup Ski Team in the past and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Alysa Veidis, RN, MSN, FNP:
Alysa Veidis is currently serving as Case Management Coordinator at the Boston Medical Center (BMC). Veidis has worked to develop an Integrated Behavioral Healthcare model at BMC that enables better connections between PCPs and healthcare providers. Veidis also serves as Nursing Program Director for the Lesotho-Boston Health Alliance, a partnership between BMC and the Government of Lesotho, dedicated to the development of medical and healthcare infrastructure in the African nation. She is a graduate of Boston College’s Connell School of Nursing and Northeastern’s Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Program.

星期三, 6月 29, 2016

第43屆七月四日國慶煙花音樂會細節公佈

MULTI-TALENTED SUPERSTARS DEMI LOVATO AND NICK JONAS ALONG WITH GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING COUNTRY SUPERSTARS LITTLE BIG TOWN TO PERFORM ON THE “BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR,” FEATURING THE BOSTON POPS LED BY KEITH LOCKHART & HOSTED BY EMMY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST NANCY O’DELL TO BE BROADCAST LIVE MONDAY, JULY 4, ON CBS

BOSTON – JUNE 29, 2016 – Multi-talented superstars Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas along with Grammy Award-Winning country group Little Big Town will join Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for Boston’s 43rd annual “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” hosted by Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Nancy O’Dell to broadcast live on CBS on Monday, July 4th.
The “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular,” now in its 43rd year, is an annual free outdoor Fourth of July concert at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade.
David Mugar, who will also serve as executive producer, founded the event in 1974. “We are excited to be back on the CBS Network this year,” Executive Producer David G. Mugar said. “This event marks a time honored tradition in Boston, one that is shared throughout the nation.” Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Little Big Town will perform some of their biggest hits with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart.
This year’s Spectacular keeps alive several of the Boston holiday traditions including the Pops’ now classic Independence Day rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” which features real cannons, the live ringing of area church bells and fireworks. Also, “The Stars & Stripes Forever,” which includes the ceremonial American flag drop and confetti shot. The Spectacular will be capped off by a magnificent fireworks array that fills the skies above Boston with a stunning exhibition of color and breathtaking pageantry produced by Fireworks by Grucci out of New York. Fireworks by Grucci will also be producing the special effects pyrotechnics off the Hatch Shell. Returning this year is the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, the only flying unit within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The pilots in the F-15 Eagles belong to the 131st Fighter Squadron, one of the oldest continually serving Air Force squadrons as well as the operational combat arm of the 104th Fighter Wing. They are headquartered at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, MA.
The flyover will occur at the conclusion of the “Star Spangled Banner.” This year the United States Coast Guard will be a part of the show’s honor guard and will be participating during the National Anthem.
The cannons will be fired off by the 101ST Field Artillery Regiment. The regiment currently consists of 350 men and women from the 1ST Battalion 101ST Field Artillery based in Brockton, MA. Their Unit Alpha Battery 101ST Field Artillery Second Corps Cadets is based in Danvers, MA and Fall River, MA. Demi Lovato is a multi-platinum selling recording artist who released her fifth studio album, Confident, in 2015. Within hours of the release of the first single, “Cool for the Summer,” the anthem trended worldwide and hit #1 on iTunes in 37 countries. Previously, her album, Demi, released in 2013, hit #1 on iTunes in over 50 countries around the world, with the lead single, “Heart Attack,” earning Platinum status. In addition, she had a top five radio smash and platinum single, “Neon Lights,” and a top 10 single, “Really Don’t Care.” In 2016, Lovato became the recipient of GLAAD’s Vanguard Award. In addition, she’s one of the biggest names on social media, with an engaged following of 36 million Twitter followers, over 38 million Instagram followers, and over 38 million Facebook fans. Nick Jonas launched his solo music career with a self-titled debut album, Nick Jonas, released in November 2014. The critically-acclaimed album included the triple platinum single and #1 U.S. radio hit, “Jealous,” which he co-wrote, the double platinum single, “Chains,” and the hit single “Levels.” In 2015, in partnership with Island Records, Demi Lovato, and long-time manager Phil McIntyre, he launched the artist-centric record label, Safehouse Records. Jonas released his upcoming album, Last Year Was Complicated, on June 10th. The first single off the album, “Close,” featuring Tove Lo, was released in March 2016. His co-writing credits on the album include “Chainsaw,” “Unhinged,” “The Difference,” “Champagne Problems” and “Bacon.” Jonas was the driving songwriting force behind the Jonas Brothers and was a co- writer or sole writer on the majority of their releases. In addition, he helped pen a number of songs on Demi Lovato’s first album. He is set to kick off his 40-city North American HONDA CIVIC TOUR: FUTURE NOW with Demi Lovato in June. Little Big Town – consisting of Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook – first entered the music scene more than 18 years ago with hits “Boondocks,” “Bring It on Home,” “Good as Gone” and the Grammy-nominated single “Little White Church.” With albums Tornado and Painkiller, they have seen massive success with #1 singles “Pontoon,” “Tornado” and “Day Drinking” and, most recently, the best-selling country single of 2015, “Girl Crush.” In October 2014, the group fulfilled a career milestone and lifelong dream when Reba McIntire asked them to become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry. Little Big Town has earned over 35 award show nominations and in the past five years have taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards and an Emmy Award. This past November, they received honors from the CMA for Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year for “Girl Crush,” and the song was also honored as CMA’s Song of the Year. At the 2016 Grammy Awards, Little Big Town won “Best Country Group/Duo Performance,” and “Girl Crush” received the honor for “Best Country Song.” Most recently, Little Big Town received honors from the Academy of Country Music for Vocal Group of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year with Miranda Lambert, and was recognized with the Crystal Milestone Award. At the Billboard Awards, Little Big Town and “Girl Crush” were nominated for Top Country Song as well as Chart Achievement Award, and the group was honored as the 2016 Music Business Association Artist of the Year. Currently, Little Big Town is on the road with Luke Bryan for the Kill the Lights Tour. Their new album, Wanderlust, produced by Pharrell Williams, was released June 10. Emmy Award-winning journalist Nancy O’Dell has proven to be a force in all areas of her career as a host, author, producer and entrepreneur. One of the country’s most respected and leading entertainment journalists, O’Dell is co-anchor of the most-watched entertainment news program in the world, “Entertainment Tonight.” Prior to her work at “ET,” she served as the co-host of “Access Hollywood” and was named one of “Television Week’s” “10 Most Bankable Stars in Syndication.” With more than 20 years of experience, O’Dell contributes to “CBS This Morning” and is a go-to anchor for live TV specials. O’Dell has been honored with two Emmy Awards, three Associated Press Awards, two Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Awards, and has been nominated for several additional Emmys. After her mother was diagnosed and passed away in 2008 from complications related to ALS, O’Dell became a National Vice President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and serves as the spokesperson for ALS.net. Also, she acts as an international board member for Best Buddies, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Affectionately known as “America’s Orchestra,” in 2016 the Boston Pops entered its 131st season of entertaining audiences in Boston and beyond. Arthur Fiedler’s 50-year tenure as Pops Conductor (1929-1979) established the Boston Pops as a national icon. John Williams (1980-1993), who succeeded Arthur Fiedler in 1980, is the most highly acclaimed composer in Hollywood and today, with 50 Academy Award nominations, the most-nominated living person in Academy history. Keith Lockhart (1995-present) has created programs that reach out to a broader and younger audience by presenting artists, both established performers and rising stars, from virtually every corner of the entertainment world, all the while maintaining the Pops’ appeal to its core audience. The Boston Pops performs for an audience of nearly 900,000 people annually in Boston, across the country and around the world, and reaches millions more through its recordings and television broadcasts. For more information, visit www.bostonpops.org. Keith Lockhart became the twentieth conductor of the Boston Pops in 1995, adding his artistic vision to the Pops tradition established by his predecessors John Williams and Arthur Fiedler. Audiences worldwide love Keith Lockhart's inimitable style, expressed not only through his consummate music-making, but also by his unique ability to speak directly to the audience about the music to which he feels so passionately committed. Keith Lockhart currently serves as principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra in London, which he led in the June 2012 Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II, and as artistic director of the Brevard Music Center summer institute and festival in North Carolina. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, Keith Lockhart began his musical studies with piano lessons at the age of seven. He holds degrees from Furman University and Carnegie Mellon University, and honorary doctorates from several American universities. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will be air locally on CBS Boston’s WBZ-TV from 8 PM-9 PM then the nation will join in from 9 PM -11 PM on the CBS Network. The special will also be available to stream live across platforms via the CBS All Access subscription service. Additionally, WBZ Newsradio 1030AM broadcast will begin at 7 PM and will be hosted by Jordan Rich. A live streaming audiocast of the concert will be available on the Internet through www.cbsboston.com. On the FM dial Mix 104.1 will broadcast live on July 4 starting at 2pm with Kennedy, Salt, Gregg Daniels and Fast Freddy and will also air the fireworks music live. The “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” live broadcast will be produced by White Cherry Entertainment, and the live event by Boston 4 Productions. Glenn Weiss, Ricky Kirshner and R.A. Clark will serve as executive producers for the national telecast. The executive producers for Boston 4 Productions are David G. Mugar, Pamela Picard and Rich MacDonald. Michael Mathis of IMG Media and Pamela Picard will produce the local telecast seen on WBZ-TV Boston 8:00-9:00 PM, live ET. Glenn Weiss will direct the network broadcast, and Robin Abrams will direct the local broadcast.
Boston 4 Productions thanks the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation, Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito, and Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Leo Roy for their support. Security Restrictions Comprehensive security restrictions as determined by local, state and federal authorities are in place to ensure that all concert attendees and the neighboring communities and residents have a safe and memorable experience. It is strongly advised that those heading to The Esplanade during the holiday weekend visit www.july4th.org for a complete listing of up-to-date security information. The Oval lawn immediately in front of the Hatch Memorial Shell will be open to concertgoers beginning at 5 PM on July 3 and 9 AM on July 4. Those hoping to sit on the lawn must pass through a security checkpoint where all bags and coolers will be examined by security personnel. During the screening process, metal cutlery, alcoholic beverages and glass containers will not be allowed and will be confiscated. After gaining access to the Oval, attendees will be given a wristband so that they can gain re-entry should they need to leave during the course of the day (different colored wristbands will be given on July 3 and July 4). Each year more than 1,000 water-craft attend the event and important boating security restrictions are also posted on www.july4th.org.