波士頓台灣人生物科技研討會請何大一分享經驗

六月十四，十五兩日在哈佛大學科學中心舉行的第二屆波士頓台灣生物科技研討會，吸引了美國八州加上來自台灣的共二百廿多人參加，再度佐證了波士頓是美國生物科技重鎮這一事實。

            這場會議共安排有三名主講人，不下五十名的博士後，研究生，創業者，教授，分享各自的研究心得，討論學術界，業界環境，還有一場招聘資訊會，幫助有心回台灣，或在本地就業者找工作機會。

            大會的三名主講者包括研究愛滋病治療出名的中央研究院院士，洛克斐勒大學愛滋研究中心執行長何大一，GeneTech神經科學及分子生物副總裁沈華智，杜邦先鋒（DuPont Pioneer）企業事務及發展資深主任沈碧君。

            發明愛滋病雞尾酒療法，1996年獲時代雜誌選為年度風雲人物的何大一。2011年時，受台灣“宇昌案“風波影響，何大一見報率暴增。今年二月，他在科學期刊上發表新藥GSK744LA，在治療愛滋病研究上又有了新成就。

沈碧君（中）的發言真誠，有見地。出席年輕人會後團團圍住她提問。

            十五日，何大一在第二屆波士頓台灣生物科技研討會以“一名愛滋病科學家的隨機反應(Random Reflections of an HIV Scientist)“為題，發表講談。他介紹了自己在防治愛滋病上使用長效抗體和藥物的研究，也向年輕科學家提了些忠告。

        何大一指出，愛滋病已導致三千五百萬人死亡，目前世界上有約三千五百萬人染有愛滋病，幾乎每天都有6300人染上此病，如何防治，已經是越來越重要的問題。雖然他認為在未來的五到十年內，大概都還無法研究出治療艾滋病的疫苗，但經由比爾蓋茲基金會贊助，他研究的GSK744LA已在美國進入臨床第二期研究，第三期臨床研究將以高危險的同性戀男子，以及異性戀非洲裔人為實驗對象。

第二屆波士頓台灣生物科技研討會主席杜荷洲報告。（菊子攝）

            向年輕人提忠告時，何大一指出，在科學界成功的最重要因素是對科學的熱情。他說，世界各地到處都有機會和挑戰，只有對科學有熱情，才能支撐各人在科學這條路上堅持下去。他也強調要大膽冒險，在所選擇的領域內累積知識，發展技能之餘，要廣泛閱讀，多參加會議，專注聆聽，要致力追求完美，學會分辨真理和教條，學會挑戰假權威，要能夠分得出“可以（could)”和“應該（should）“這兩個字的分別，要選擇該做的研究，而不是能做的實驗。要在視野和行動之間抓到平衡點。

            十六日時，沈碧君的演講，打動了很多年輕學者的心。她勸年輕人做個6Ｃ人，要有良心（Conscience)，有信心（Confidence)，有惻隱心（Compassion)，有人脈（connection)，有勇氣（courage），有一貫性（consistency)。

            這場會議的學術講座有新澤西州醫學院微生物及分子基因副教授張瓈云，布朗大學流行病學助理教授黃彥棕，麻州大學醫學院分子醫學教授葉亦棟，哈佛大學再生生物學助理教授許雅捷等人分述他們在學術界的研究，教學概況。

            業界有基因科技(Genentech)公司博士後研究員張焞（豎心旁）凱，百傲健（Biogen Idec）醫學組沈慶鴻，Tetrapha製藥公司研究科學家陳豈禮，Vertex製藥資深研究科學家施心沛，麥肯錫（McKinsey）專案經理Jeffrey Tsao，Lazard醫療護理投資銀行業專員盧柏源等人，L.E.K.咨詢公司顧問張瑞強，知識點360集團醫藥作者彭賢巍分享他們的就業緣由，也展示生物醫藥領域可有的許多種不同生涯規劃。

            國立交通大學生物科技學院院長鍾育志，中央研究院基因體研究中心主任陳仲瑄，中央研究院分子生物研究所所長鄭淑珍，中央研究院植物暨微生物研究所的賀瑞華院士，中央研究院農業生物科技中心副主任徐麗芬，台灣微脂體股份有限公司美國主任廖文華等人在招聘資訊座談中，回答提問。

            會議主席杜荷洲表示，波士頓台灣生物科技協會除了研討會外，每兩個星期就舉辦一次學術座談，目前正在為今年十月到明年五月的座談招募講者，有意分享研究成果，練習發表報告技巧者，可洽該會btba.tw@gmail.com。

圖片說明：

            治療愛滋病研究專家何大一為第二屆波士頓台灣生物科技研討會演講。（菊子攝）

        何大一（右起）在會後和波士頓台灣生物科技研討會創辦人陳昇宏博士，張瓈云副教授等人坦言，台灣的政治環境影響了生物研究發展。（菊子攝）

            沈碧君（中）的發言真誠，有見地。出席年輕人會後團團圍住她提問。（菊子攝）

            第二屆波士頓台灣生物科技研討會有包括德州，加州，紐約等地的兩百多人參加。（菊子攝）

            

麻州民主黨支持正副州長候選人各三名

麻州民主黨十四日在屋斯特（Worcester）召開黨代表大會。州長，副州長各有三人獲得15%黨代表支持，將名列九月九日的初選選票。

            今年的麻州州長選舉，民主黨有五名參選人。麻州財政廳廳長葛羅斯曼（Steve Grossman），以35.2%的黨代表支持率，把競爭對手遠拋在後。

            波士頓環球報稱在民意調查中領先葛羅斯曼35%的麻州總檢察官柯克莉（Martha Coakley），獲得23.3%的黨代表支持。

            曾任聯邦醫療護理高層主管的貝理克（Don Berwick）緊追在後，黨代表支持率為22.1%。

麻州州長選舉的兩黨初選部分，民主黨因此成為三頭馬車局面。

波士頓環球報指出，貝理克的成功搶攻，證明了民主黨內對兩名主要候選人仍有不滿，有意尋求可替代者。

生物製藥界高管艾維龍（Joe Avellone），曾任國土安全局國際事務助理秘書長的柯姸（Juliette Kayyem）依序或的7%，12.1%的黨代表支持，都未跨過名列初選選票上的最低門檻要求。

柯研的一名競選助理日前表示，柯研可能會以其他方式繼續參選。

            民主黨麻州黨部昨（十六）日回覆本報查詢，表示他們並沒有今年到底有多少亞裔黨代表的統計，但各候選人的得票統計如下：

            副州長席位有四名候選人，三人將可名列初選選票。支持率最高的是麻州軍事英雄基金（Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund）創辦人兼會長凱瑞根（Steve Kerrigan），37.6%，其次為麻州灣及美瑞谷聯合路（United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valle）的發展主任雷克（Mike Lake），35.4%，以及劍橋市議員張禮能（Leland Cheung），16.2%。

            財政廳廳長：三名候選人全都獲得足夠的支持，依序為高伯格（Deborah Goldberg），38.9%，康若伊（Thomas Conroy），33.9%，以及范高德（Barry Finegold ），27.1%。

            總檢察官只有兩名候選人，獲得的民主黨代表支持率旗鼓相當。杜文（Warren Toman），51.8%，奚莉（Ｍaura Healey），48.1%。

            麻州副州長候選人凱瑞根(Steve Kerrigan) 的競選陣營昨（十六）日宣佈，碧樹（Braintree）市市長蘇利文（Joseph Sullivan），衛茅斯（Weymouth）市市長蘇凱（Sue Kay）相繼加入支持陣容，如今已有八名市長支持凱瑞根參選麻州副州長。

            三名民主黨籍副州長候選人中唯一的華裔，張禮能十五日在回答本報提問時表示，另外兩名候選人，分別在二年前，一年前就已宣佈參選，今年二月才正式宣佈參選的張禮能對自己的獲得16% 支持率，感到可以理解。他強調，各候選人中，只有他有實務經驗，絕對是更適合的人選。

           

圖片說明：

            劍橋市議員張禮能（Leland Cheung）(左)和妻子周吟（右）帶著女兒Lena參加波士頓香港龍舟節。（菊子攝）

            麻州眾議員陳德基（左起），昆士市市長柯奇（Tom Koch）陪同麻州副州長候選人凱瑞根(Steve Kerrigan)到碧樹（Braintree）市市長蘇利文（Joseph Sullivan）的轄區參觀。（圖由凱瑞根競選陣營提供）

GOVERNOR PATRICK JOINS SECRETARY JEWELL TO ANNOUNCE NATION’S LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY AREA AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNOR PATRICK JOINS SECRETARY JEWELL TO ANNOUNCE NATION’S LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY AREA AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

742,000-acre zone off Massachusetts coast more than doubles federal offshore acreage available for utility-scale wind energy projects

BOSTON – Tuesday, June 17, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Acting Director Walter Cruickshank to announce that more than 742,000 acres off the shore of Massachusetts will be available for commercial wind energy leasing. The proposed area, located 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, is the largest in federal waters and will nearly double the federal offshore acreage available for commercial-scale wind energy projects.

“Today’s announcement is a momentous occasion and the culmination of years of cooperation and hard work between the Commonwealth and federal officials,” said Governor Patrick. “Through our investments and proactive planning, Massachusetts is poised to lead the charge in offshore wind energy development, with the economic and environmental benefits that come with it.”

“Massachusetts is leading the way toward building a clean and sustainable energy future that creates jobs, cuts carbon pollution and develops domestic clean energy resources,” said Secretary Jewell. “Thanks to Governor Patrick’s vision and leadership, the competitive lease sale in Massachusetts will reflect the extensive and productive input from a number of important stakeholders, including the commercial fishing and shipping industries. Through sound science and true collaboration, we have identified an area best suited for offshore wind development that seeks to minimize conflicts with other important ocean uses.”

Tuesday’s announcement was made at the Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC). Owned and operated by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the WTTC tests manufacturers’ wind turbine blades to see how they will perform in the field and is the largest wind blade testing facility in North America.

The Massachusetts Wind Energy Area is located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and, from its northern boundary extends 33 nautical miles southward and has an east/west extent of approximately 47 nautical miles. BOEM proposes to auction the Wind Energy Area as four leases. A map of the Wind Energy Area is here.

Tuesday’s announcement builds on Interior’s work to stand up a sustainable offshore wind program through its ‘Smart from the Start’ wind energy initiative for the Atlantic Coast. To date, BOEM has awarded five commercial wind energy leases off the Atlantic coast: two non-competitive leases (Cape Wind in Nantucket Sound off Massachusetts and an area off Delaware) and three competitive leases (two offshore Massachusetts-Rhode Island and another offshore Virginia). To date, competitive lease sales have generated about $5.4 million in high bids for about 277,550 acres in federal waters. BOEM is expected to hold additional competitive auctions for Wind Energy Areas offshore Maryland and New Jersey later this year. 

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been working hand in hand with BOEM to foster responsible commercial wind development in federal waters off Massachusetts,” said BOEM Acting Director Cruickshank. “Members of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force have been great partners in our planning process for the Wind Energy Area and the Proposed Sale Notice.” 

To help inform BOEM’s decision-making, the Commonwealth established a Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Renewable Energy to discuss issues and compatibilities between commercial fishing activities and offshore commercial wind energy development, and a Habitat Working Group on Offshore Renewable Energy to discuss available ecosystem data and information within the area under consideration and identify gaps.

The Commonwealth has additionally collected and presented spatial information and data for the Wind Energy Area regarding marine mammals, birds, ocean floor, geology, commercial ship traffic and recreational boating to inform BOEM’s offshore wind planning process. The Commonwealth has also conducted dozens of public meetings and stakeholder sessions to discuss the Federal offshore wind leasing process.

Since taking office in 2007, Governor Patrick’s Administration has worked to position Massachusetts as a hub for the emerging U.S. offshore wind industry. These efforts also include the construction of the Marine Commerce Terminal in New Bedford, the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly and deployment of offshore wind projects.

The Patrick Administration’s aggressive clean energy initiatives have made Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy and emissions reductions. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has named Massachusetts number one for three years running. Last year, Governor Patrick set a new solar goal after reaching the previous goal of 250 megawatts four years early. The Commonwealth now aims to install 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. Currently, there are 518 megawatts installed, capable of powering nearly 79,000 homes. The clean energy revolution is yielding economic benefits as well, with 11.8 percent job growth in the last year; nearly 80,000 people are employed in the cleantech industry in Massachusetts.

Tuesday’s Proposed Sale Notice announcement triggers a 60-day public comment period. Comments received or postmarked by that date will be made available to the public and considered before the publication of the Final Sale Notice, which will announce the time and date of the lease sale.

The end of the comment period also serves as the deadline for any companies wishing to participate in the lease sale to submit their qualification package, if they have not already done so. To be eligible to participate in the lease sale, each bidder must have been notified by BOEM that it is legally, technically and financially qualified by the time the Final Sale Notice is published. The Proposed Sale Notice provides more information about qualification requirements. Companies planning to submit a qualification package are strongly encouraged to submit as early as possible during the comment period to ensure adequate time for processing. 

BOEM will host a public seminar during the comment period to describe the auction format, explain the auction rules, and demonstrate the auction process through meaningful examples. The time and place of the seminar will be announced by BOEM and related information will be published on the BOEM website.

In addition to the Proposed Sale Notice, BOEM is publishing in the Federal Register a Notice of the Availability (NOA) of a Revised Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI states that BOEM has determined that no reasonably foreseeable significant impacts are expected to occur as a result of issuing wind energy leases and the approval of Site Assessment Plans in the Massachusetts Wind Energy Area. Before a decision regarding the construction of any proposed wind power facility, BOEM will conduct a comprehensive site-specific National Environmental Policy Act review, which will include additional opportunities for public comment.

麻頓市警察局拍賣/送出五十架自行車

MPD Bike Auction

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

More than 50 bikes were auctioned off last Saturday at the Malden Police Department Bike Auction.  Residents of all ages showed up to enter bids on a variety of bikes, nearly half of which were auctioned off for $1 or given away. Children and adults rode away after having struck some pretty good deals!

B.A.A. Announces 2015 Boston Marathon Registration Dates

B.A.A. Announces 2015 Boston Marathon Registration Dates

Registration Opens September 8. Field size limit to be determined.

BOSTON - Registration for the 2015 Boston Marathon will open on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The B.A.A. will use the same process to register qualified runners as it used for the Boston Marathon in 2012, 2013 and 2014, allowing the fastest qualifiers in their gender and age group to register first.

The 119th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 20, 2015, Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and will mark the 30th consecutive year that the event will have John Hancock Financial as its principal sponsor.

Registration will be held entirely online at www.baa.org. The qualification window for the 2015 Boston Marathon began last year on September 14, 2013.

To qualify for the Boston Marathon, athletes must meet time standards which correspond to age and gender.  The qualifying times for the 2015 Boston Marathon remain unchanged from recent years and are listed on the B.A.A.’s website: http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/qualifying/qualifying-standards.aspx

Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On Monday, September 8, eligible runners who have met the qualifying standard for their age and gender by 20 minutes or more may register. On Wednesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. ET, if space remains, registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standard by 10 minutes or more. If space remains, registration will open on Friday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET for those who have met their qualifying standard by five minutes or more. Registration will close on Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

If space remains after the first week of registration (Monday, September 8 through Saturday, September 13), then registration will re-open for all qualifiers from Monday, September 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET through Wednesday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. ET. As during the first week of registration, entry during this period (Sept. 15-17) will not be first-come, first-served and the fastest qualifiers in their gender and age group among these submissions will be given entry as space allows. If space remains after this initial period, then on Monday, September 22 registration will re-open to anyone who meets the qualifying standards. Registration will remain open on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum field size is reached.

“The B.A.A. worked for a year to organize what we knew would be an historic event this past April, and we appreciate all who cooperated with us to take back the finish line this year,” said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director.  “Now, as we look towards 2015 and beyond, we will work to further demonstrate the unique and inspirational aspects of the Boston Marathon. Our qualifying standards are among the features which make the Boston Marathon special, and our registration process recognizes the perseverance needed to gain entry. Our rolling admission schedule will provide runners with the fastest qualifying times in their age and gender group the ability to have their entry accepted in an orderly and systematic manner.”

The registration process ensures that the fastest qualifiers will be accepted first.  However, achieving one’s qualifying standard does not guarantee entry. Those who are the fastest among the pool of applicants in their age and gender group will be accepted.

The registration fee for the 2015 Boston Marathon for qualifiers is $175 USD for United States residents and $225 USD for international residents.

Working in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route, the B.A.A. will set and announce the field size for the 2015 Boston Marathon this summer. The 2013 Boston Marathon had 27,000 official entrants, and the special 118th Boston Marathon in 2014 featured a larger field size of 36,000 entrants (32,530 starters; 32,004 finishers).

BOSTON MARATHON REGISTRATION DATES:

·         Monday, September 8 - Qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard by 20 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.

·         Wednesday, September 10 - Qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard by 10 minutes, 00 seconds or faster (if space remains).

·         Friday, September 12 - Qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard by 5 minutes, 00 seconds or faster (if space remains).

·         Monday, September 15 - All qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard (if space remains) may submit an entry.

·         Wednesday, September 17 - Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. ET.  Registration from September 15-17 will not be first-come, first-served and the fastest qualifiers in their gender and age group among these submissions will be given entry as space allows.

·         If space remains after this initial period, then on Monday, September 22 registration will re-open to anyone who meets the qualifying standards on a first come, first served basis. Registration will remain open until the maximum field size is reached.

A FEW IMPORTANT NOTES:

·         The 2015 Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 20, 2015, Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth ofMassachusetts.

·         The qualifying standards for the 2015 Boston Marathon, shown below, are the same as the qualifying standards for the 2014 Boston Marathon.

·         There is no 59 second “cushion” allowed for qualifying times for the 2015 Boston Marathon. This is unchanged from recent years.

·         The B.A.A. will make an announcement if the field size limit is reached prior to the conclusion of the registration period.

·         Though the B.A.A. will email registrants upon the completion of their form, runners are not officially entered into the race until their qualifying time is verified. This length of time may vary and can be as long as several days, depending on the qualifying marathon.

·         The qualification window for the 2015 Boston Marathon began on Saturday, September 14, 2013 and will remain open until the conclusion of registration.

·         The qualification window for the 2016 Boston Marathon will begin on Saturday, September 13, 2014.

·         Registration dates for the 2016 Boston Marathon have not yet been announced.

·         The qualifying standards for the 2016 Boston Marathon, shown below, are the same as the qualifying standards for the 2015 Boston Marathon. 

·         The 2016 Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016.

2015 BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFYING STANDARDS (effective September 14, 2013)

All standards below are based on official submitted net time.

AGE GROUP	MEN	WOMEN
18-34	3hrs 05min 00sec	3hrs 35min 00sec
35-39	3hrs 10min 00sec	3hrs 40min 00sec
40-44	3hrs 15min 00sec	3hrs 45min 00sec
45-49	3hrs 25min 00sec	3hrs 55min 00sec
50-54	3hrs 30min 00sec	4hrs 00min 00sec
55-59	3hrs 40min 00sec	4hrs 10min 00sec
60-64	3hrs 55min 00sec	4hrs 25min 00sec
65-69	4hrs 10min 00sec	4hrs 40min 00sec
70-74	4hrs 25min 00sec	4hrs 55min 00sec
75-79	4hrs 40min 00sec	5hrs 10min 00sec
80 and over	4hrs 55min 00sec	5hrs 25min 00sec

An additional 59 seconds will NOT be accepted for each age group time standard. That is, there is no cushion or flexibility with the minimum qualifying time for purposes of qualification eligibility.   

OCWEN TO PAY $3.7 MILLION TO MASSACHUSETTS OVER FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICES TO HOMEOWNERS, UNLAWFUL FORECLOSURES

OCWEN TO PAY $3.7 MILLION TO MASSACHUSETTS OVER FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICES TO HOMEOWNERS, UNLAWFUL FORECLOSURES

Mortgage Servicer to Provide $3 Million in Relief to Homeowners

BOSTON – The nation’s fourth largest mortgage servicer has agreed to pay Massachusetts a total of $3.7 million to resolve claims that it failed to provide certain notices to homeowners as required by state law and that it unlawfully foreclosed on certain properties, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.

The assurance of discontinuance, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that the national loan servicer failed to follow Massachusetts law for notices and mortgage assignments in the handling of certain mortgage loans. This included failures to send state-mandated notices to homeowners in default, and failures to execute proper mortgage assignments, filed in the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds, as required by Massachusetts statutes. In addition, Litton Home Servicing Limited Partnership (Litton), a company acquired by Ocwen, allegedly initiated foreclosures when itdid not hold the actual mortgages in violation of Massachusetts law.

“Massachusetts homeowners faced unnecessary challenges due to these companies failure to provide proper notices and by initiating illegal foreclosures,” AG Coakley said. “This agreement provides for direct relief for affected borrowers and requires that Ocwen undertake efforts to repair problem titles in the Commonwealth.”

The AG’s Office alleges that Litton’s unlawful conduct resulted in void foreclosures affecting the marketability and insurability of the titles. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in the Ibanez decision that mortgagees must strictly comply with Massachusetts foreclosure laws. Under the statutory power of sale, a bank or other foreclosing party must be the mortgagee of record, or hold the mortgage through a valid assignment, prior to the publication of the notice of foreclosure sale, or the foreclosure will be void.

Under the terms of the settlement, $3 million will be paid to Massachusetts homeowners, and $700,000 will be paid to the Commonwealth.

           Also as part of the agreement, Ocwen is required to properly execute documents filed in connection with foreclosure proceedings, and mail notices to residents that are in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.

           In December, Ocwen Financial Corporation of Atlanta, Georgia, its subsidiary, Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, and two companies it purchased, Litton and Homeward Residential Holdings LLC, entered into a $2.1 billion national settlement resulting in an estimated $80 million in principal reduction and cash payments to Massachusetts homeowners. The national settlement resolved claims of loan servicing misconduct and so-called “robo-signing” claims. Massachusetts homeowners will also receive approximately $1.5 million in cash payments from that multistate agreement.

The National Mortgage Settlement, an agreement announced in February 2012, involving the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers and their connection with unlawful foreclosures and loan servicing has so far provided more than $63 billion in relief to distressed homeowners and created significant new servicing standards, which Ocwen must follow. The settlement brought more than $300 million in relief to Massachusetts borrowers, including a direct payment of more than $44.5 million to the Commonwealth, used in part to establish the AG’s HomeCorps program and offer grants aimed at helping to mitigate the impact of the foreclosure crisis.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Amber Anderson Villa, Justin Lowe, and Stephanie Kahn of Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Consumer Protection Division, and Assistant Attorneys General Glenn Kaplan and Peter Leight of AG Coakley’s Insurance & Financial Services Division and paralegal Erica Harmon, also of the Insurance & Financial Services Division.

BCYF Fenway Challenge and the BCYF Sox Talk Baseball Clinics - Two free events

Announcing the BCYF Fenway Challenge and the BCYF Sox Talk Baseball Clinics

Two FREE Opportunities for Boys and Girls to Work on their Baseball Skills and Have Fun!

Mark your calendars, the schedule for the BCYF Fenway Challenge and the BCYF Sox Talk Baseball Clinics is here!  Youth ages 7-14 can work on their baseball skills and have the opportunity to win Red Sox tickets and meet Sox players and coaches.  These are also great opportunities for camps and programs to enjoy a day in the park.

The BCYF Fenway Challenge, sponsored by the Boston Red Sox, is an opportunity for youth to compete against other youth their own age in baseball skills such as base running, pitching and batting.  The participants will be divided into four age groups: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, and 13/14.  At the end of the Challenge, the scores will be tabulated and the top finisher in each age group will win a pair of Red Sox tickets to a game in September where they will be honored on the field before the start of the game.  Youth can attend one or all Fenway Challenges but can only win the tickets once.  Youth groups and camps are welcome to participate.

The BCYF Fenway Challenge starts at 10:30 a.m. on the following dates/locations.  No equipment is necessary, BCYF will provide equipment for the day:

Wednesday, July 16 BCYF Recreation Center at Madison Park

Wednesday, July 23 Daisy Field in Jamaica Plain

Tuesday, August 5 Moakley Park in South Boston

Wednesday, August 13 Fallon Field in Roslindale

Friday, August 15 Kelly Field in Hyde Park 

The BCYF Sox Talk Baseball Clinics, sponsored by the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Police Athletic League, is a series of baseball clinics followed by an appearance by Red Sox players and coaching staff.  Young people will have the chance to work on their baseball skills before the players arrive.  Once the Sox players and staff arrive, they will join the clinic and work with groups of youth on various skills after which they will answer a few questions.  Youth groups and camps are welcome to participate.  The clinics will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates/locations:

Wednesday, July 9 Billings Field in West Roxbury

Wednesday, July 30 East Boston Stadium 

Tuesday, August 19 Garvey Park in Dorchester

Wednesday, August 20 Ryan Park in Charlestown

For more information about the Fenway Challenge or Sox Talk Baseball Clinic contact William.Sittig@Boston.Gov or call him at 617-635-5206 x104.