星期四, 5月 19, 2016

OWNER OF HUDSON PEST CONTROL BUSINESS BARRED FROM OPERATING IN MASSACHUSETTS, ORDERED TO PAY $50,000 OVER PESTICIDE MISUSE

OWNER OF HUDSON PEST CONTROL BUSINESS BARRED FROM OPERATING IN MASSACHUSETTS, ORDERED TO PAY $50,000 OVER PESTICIDE MISUSE

BOSTON — A Hudson pest control business owner will pay up to $50,000 and is prohibited from operating in Massachusetts for at least two years to settle allegations that he was operating without a license and misleading consumers about the safety and effectiveness of his services, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

“Pesticides are toxic by design and it is crucial that those who apply them meet the state’s rigorous licensing and certification requirements before doing so,” AG Healey said. “Our office will continue to take action to protect the public from the misuse of pesticides to avoid or reduce harmful human and environmental exposure to chemical pesticides.”

According to the complaint, entered Wednesday along with along with the consent judgment in Suffolk Superior Court, the AG’s Office alleges that Patrick F. McNeil, who operated under the names Community Pest Control and Countryside Wildlife, violated the state’s pesticide control and consumer protection laws by applying pesticides he was not authorized to use, in an attempt to control bedbugs and termites. 

After McNeil’s license was revoked by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) in 2013, McNeil allegedly portrayed himself as a licensed pest control operator in the state and contracted with residents in Lakeville, Waltham and Worcester at various times in 2013 and 2014 to provide pest control services, including termite, carpenter ant, and bed bug treatments.

“Our Pesticide Enforcement Division protects public health and the environment by enforcing pesticide laws and regulations throughout the Commonwealth,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Pesticide Enforcement staff and MDAR Legal Counsel worked closely with the Office of the Attorney General to pursue the multiple alleged violations and prevent future unlicensed pesticide applications by Mr. McNeil.”

The AG’s Office also alleges that McNeil knowingly misled homeowners in Marlborough, Waltham, Lakeville, and Stow by failing to provide them with information he was obligated to give them about the safety and effectiveness of the pesticides he used in their homes. He also allegedly charged customers for pest control work he did not complete.

According to the terms of the consent judgement, McNeil’s pesticide license revocation will remain in effect for two years. The $50,000 civil penalty may be waived if McNeil fully complies with the terms of the consent judgment for 10 years, including strictly complying with the state’s pest control and consumer protection laws and regulations if his license is reinstated. 

Massachusetts law requires anyone who commercially applies pesticides to be licensed by MDAR. Due to the possible environmental and public health hazards associated with pesticide use, MDAR and other stakeholders promote environmentally sound, viable methods of pest management, called “Integrated Pest Management,” that include closely monitoring the need for pest control, improving sanitation, installing physical barriers, using natural pest enemies, and, when appropriate, using the lowest risk pesticides capable of addressing the need.

Consumers should communicate with their pest control company about their expectations and concerns. A good pest control company will work with consumers to ensure that their needs are met, including ensuring that the company uses the least intrusive means possible in treating the pest problem.

Any consumer with questions about an applicator’s license should call the Massachusetts Pesticide Enforcement Division at 617-626-1781. Consumers who suspect that a pest control company is misusing pesticides should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division Hotline at 617-727-8400.
Assistant Attorney General Andrew Goldberg, of AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division, handled the case, with assistance from MDAR legal counsel Jessica Burgess and Division of Crop and Pest Services Director Taryn LaScola.

三名波士頓市府重量級亞裔首度同台(圖片)

左起,波士頓公校總監張欽棠,波士頓市議會議長吳弭,波市長幕僚長高丹尼(Daniel Koh)。(周菊子攝)






STATEMENT FROM MAYOR WALSH

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR WALSH
BOSTON - Thursday, May 19, 2016 - Today, Mayor Walsh released the following statement:

"I am deeply concerned about today's news. Everyone who knows Ken knows him to be a good and hardworking person. We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to get to the bottom of this. Everyone in my administration should know that there is only one way to do things and that is the right way."


Statement from Laura Oggeri, Chief Communications Officer for the City of Boston:

"The Mayor asked Attorney Brian Kelly to review the city's interactions with Top Chef last year and he produced a report that concluded no city employee was involved in any illegal activities. Attorney Kelly has also been reviewing Boston Calling and he is conducting a comprehensive review of the Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment to ensure that the proper policies and procedures are in place. 
 
"Ken Brissette is currently on paid administrative leave."

清華大學副校長姜勝耀仿波士頓與校友餐敘

2016年5月16日清華大學姜勝耀副校長、物理系主任陳曦教授、社科學院副院長劉濤雄教授、醫學院基礎醫學系主任林欣教授、人才資源開發辦公室副主任田煜老師、國際處張健老師、汪暉老師、清控科創控股股份有限公司聯席董事長董鈞等與近三十位波士頓清華校友代表在麻省劍橋市餐敘。
姜副校長代表一行所有老師以及邱校長慰問大波士頓地區的清華校友們,並飽含熱情地介紹了學校近年來全面深入的改革;尤其是教師隊伍的大發展和大機遇。
在座校友主要來自大波士頓地區,包括各行業專業人士、高校教授及學生代表;甚至有一名校友從弗吉尼亞州專程飛來波士頓參加本次活動。大家與一行諸位老師深入交流,共敘清華情結。
夜深仍意猶未盡。(清華校友會提供)



NEW HAMPSHIRE RED SOX SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS TO BE INTRODUCED AT FENWAY PARK SATURDAY

NEW HAMPSHIRE RED SOX SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
TO BE INTRODUCED AT FENWAY PARK SATURDAY;
WINNER OF RED SOX FOUNDATION “IMPACT AWARDS”
IN GRANITE STATE TO BE RECOGNIZED
Red Sox Foundation to Present New Hampshire Public School Seniors with $1,000
College Scholarships During New Hampshire Day at Fenway Park Presented by Bond Auto Parts


BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox Foundation will introduce recipients of the New Hampshire Red Sox Service Scholarships during a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park before the Red Sox-Indians game tomorrow, Saturday, May 21. The program awards students from public high schools across New Hampshire with $1,000 scholarships towards their college education based on academic performance, financial aid eligibility, and demonstrated community service.

The scholarship recipients will be congratulated on the field at Fenway Park by Red Sox Executive Vice President Troup Parkinson, and Red Sox Senior Vice President David Friedman. Jay McFarland, Dealer Principal of McFarland Ford of Exeter, New Hampshire, will also be on hand representing the Ford Motor Company Fund, a sponsor of the program. 

The service scholarship program was introduced in 2010 by then-New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, and Red Sox Principal Owner John W. Henry and Red Sox Foundation Board Member Linda Pizzuti Henry. The program has since expanded from 10 qualifying New Hampshire public schools in its inaugural year to 50 in 2016. One student from each high school is chosen for the award. The service scholarships are available in all six New England states.

The foundation will also honor the New Hampshire winner of the “IMPACT Awards” (Inspiring More Philanthropy Across Charities Together) on Saturday, a program that provides Red Sox fans in the five New England states outside of Massachusetts with the opportunity to vote for their favorite local charities to determine the one awarded the annual grant.

Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels, an organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals and support services to older and disabled residents in southeastern New Hampshire, is the winner this year’s New Hampshire IMPACT Award. The non-profit will receive a $10,000 grant from the Red Sox Foundation during Saturday’s pregame ceremonies.

The May 21 ceremonies are part of New Hampshire Day at Fenway Park, presented by Bond Auto Parts. The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Corey Poitras from Bond Auto Parts and the national anthem will be sung by Susan Cancio-Bello of Sunapee, New Hampshire. Members of the Hampton, New Hampshire, Police Department will carry the colors, and children from the Webster House in Manchester, New Hampshire, will say “Play Ball.”

星期三, 5月 18, 2016

中華頤養院年會表揚員工 感謝董事、社區

中華頤養院董事合影。(周菊子攝)
            (Boston Orange 周菊子昆士市報導)中華頤養院康復中心日前以“榮耀過去,歡慶未來”為主題,在昆士市龍鳳酒樓舉行年會,頒發獎學金及丁大文/穆加(Mugar)獎,通過理事連任。
中華頤養院董事長雷偉智(右起),董事陳秀英,新任執行長Wendy
 Lee,華人醫務中心行政主任衛優駿(Eugen Welsh )。
(周菊子攝)
            該院董事長雷偉志,新任執行長Wendy Lee先後致詞,報告該院2015年成就及里程碑,並指出在2015年時,一整年的慶祝成立三十週年活動,既給了他們機會誌記一路走來的歷史,也彷如重新充電,要迎接輝煌未來。
            去年十一月,在慶祝三十週年的晚宴中,該院向來自草根階層的創辦人們致敬,感謝他們持續不懈的努力,才終於在1985年成立中華頤養院。第一個以機構身份撥給中華頤養院大筆善款的波士頓基金會,也當然讓他們銘感在心。
獲獎學金及領導者講者合影。(周菊子攝)
            藉著慶祝三十週年,中華頤養院在昆士市新址舉辦了好多次週日燒烤會,邀社區人士,姓氏宗親會參加,藉以培養和社區,各組織之間的關係,還新設了一個每人一千元,兩個名額的青少年獎學金,藉以鼓勵青少年參與該院及社區活動。
            在2015年,該院人事略有變動,其中包括秋天時退休的前任執行長該院董事陳逢想。以及接替上任的Wendy Lee。
            當晚的年會晚宴,嘉賓包括麻州參議員John Keenan,麻州眾議員陳德基。中華頤養院還頒發服務獎,表揚服務年資長的員工,服務滿三十年的有三人,金杏濱,蔡珍美(譯音),Veronica Saunders;頒發使立德學習中心及護士基金獎學金給四名得獎人,丁大文/穆加傑出領導者獎給Claire Wheeler,Marylou Falletti,Irene Zhu,Wing Mui等四人。
            該院董事會董事包括主席雷偉志,副主席陳美貞(May Y. Chin),財政陳遇均,Hemmie Chang,Marianne B. Bowler,Edward ChengStanley D. ElkertonLeonard S. LaiSusan Xu LuoPaul J. MackinnonLisa Mui,屈振生(Jason Qu),Alice L. Rose,陳秀英,丁大文,Hon Hoi Yee等人。



張昊辰波士頓演出 聽眾驚艷 起立鼓掌 久久不歇

張昊辰演奏結束,觀眾起立鼓掌。
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)2009年范克萊本鋼琴大賽金獎得主張昊辰,514日晚應中華表演藝術基金會之邀,在新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳的演奏,技驚全場,數百觀眾不斷起立鼓掌,久久不歇。
“波士頓音樂情報員(The Boston Music Intelligencer)”的樂評家對張昊辰稱許有加。他對這場演奏會的描述是,想像一場完全古典式的鋼琴演奏會,蕭邦,舒伯特,普羅柯菲耶夫(Prokofiev)的曲目,你幾乎每一首都熟悉,但張昊辰的演奏,卻從一開始就那麼動人,細緻入微,表達得那麼有原創感,體貼的攫獲人心,讓人覺得彷彿是第一次聆聽這樣的作品。
第13屆范克萊本國際光親比賽金獎得主張昊辰獲起立鼓掌致意。
(周菊子攝)
這名樂評家還說,在年齡30以下的最有潛力,超人類琴鍵手中,現在增加了張昊辰的名字。她會希望聽張昊辰彈奏任何曲目。
中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵(右起)護持青年
音樂家,于洋,張昊辰,黎卓宇。(周菊子攝)
當晚出席演奏會的聽眾中,有許多著名的音樂家,音樂學院教授,音樂界冒起中的新星,包括2015年柴可夫斯基鋼琴大賽銀獎得主黎卓宇,2010年梅紐因(Yehudi Menuhin )小提琴比賽金獎得主于洋,也都特地出席,致意,道賀,結緣




青年鋼琴家于洋(右起),張昊辰,黎卓宇,Andrew Li在後台聚會。
(周菊子攝)

中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵(右起)和青年鋼琴家黎卓宇
及其弟Andrew,母親卓超英,父親黎小堅等人一起恭賀張昊辰
(右三)演出成功。(周菊子攝)



紐英崙玉山科協五月座談基因,介紹台北生物

Cambridge, MA, May, 14, 2016 – 五月份的專業分享玉山邀請了兩位嘉賓,陳家彥博士,和賴文福博士。
首先開場的是陳家彥博士,陳博士於台灣大學畢業,後於哈佛大學取得公共衛生博士學位。陳博士分享了如何利用全基因組關聯研究以了解複雜疾病遺傳學,如乳癌,類風濕,精神分裂症等遺傳疾病。
隨著高通量基因型鑑定的進步和次世代定序科技的發展,全基因組關聯研究已經被廣泛地使用,來理解複雜疾病的遺傳基礎,例如乳癌、風濕性關節炎、精神分裂症等等,它也貢獻了許多科學新發現。在全基因組關聯研究裡,人類基因组中共同的單核苷酸多型態性被用来偵測出與複雜疾病相關的基因座。在這場演講裡,講者首先介紹全基因組關聯研究的理論背景,包括研究設計、統計分析以及結果闡述,接著針對目前此研究在各種複雜疾病的發現做一個概述。最後,講者與大家討論全基因組關聯研究發現在精準醫學上可能的應用,如利用全基因組遺傳資訊做遺傳上的預測。
骨頭專家賴文福博士簡短的分享了從台灣經驗到台灣理論的主題,並簡單介紹了Taipeibio 以及New England Organogenisis
本次活動於ARC(Architectural Recourses Cambridge)舉行,現場20多位來賓,對於專業分享的內容和場所都非常的滿意。

玉山科技協會於六月份舉行講座,邀請Victor Tang博士來和大家探討創意發想。譚博士為前IBM副總裁,現為I3nsight的董事長。活動將於六月十一日舉行,活動詳情即註冊請用以下網址https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creativity-workshop-tickets-25529029013 (MJNE提供)
MJNE提供

Ultrino Announces Event to Promote Senior Housing Stability

Ultrino Announces Event to Promote Senior Housing Stability

MALDEN – Representative Steve Ultrino (D-Malden) is hosting an event next week to address senior housing and homelessness concerns and to provide resources to Malden’s seniors. The event, Building Elder Housing Stability, will be held from 10am to 12pm on Thursday, May 26 at the Malden Senior Center, located at 7 Washington Street in Malden.

All Malden seniors and their friends and families are invited to attend the free event, which will include information to assist elders in staying in their homes, resources on access to health care, information booths, a panel discussion, and more.

“Our state’s housing crisis presents a particular challenge to seniors, many of whom are seeking retirement or have already retired and are living on fixed incomes,” said Representative Steve Ultrino. “My office works with seniors struggling with the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and other necessities every week, and issues affecting elders have been a priority of mine in the Legislature.”

Residents with questions about the event should contact Alex Pratt in the Office of Representative Steve Ultrino at (617) 722-2460 or Alexander.Pratt@mahouse.gov.