MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL WE BOS WEEK TO SUPPORT WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL WE BOS WEEK TO SUPPORT WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

This year's theme, "Get Inspired, Get Connected, Get Funded, Get Big" aims to address challenges in funding, mentorship and growing women-led businesses

BOSTON - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement today announced the third annual Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS) Week, a week-long series of events designed to support women entrepreneurs beginning on Monday, October 16. Curated around this year's theme, "Get Inspired, Get Connected, Get Funded, Get Big," WE BOS Week is comprised of networking opportunities, educational workshops, panel discussions and coaching sessions with industry leaders and investors. "In Boston we believe that when women succeed, we all succeed. That's why it's so important that we continue lifting up our women-owned business and entrepreneurs," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to host the third annual WE BOS Week along with Boston's women leaders to create and support opportunities to promote women entrepreneurs and ensure economic equity." Hosted in partnership with organizations throughout Boston and across industries, WE BOS Week helps women entrepreneurs build their networks and learn new skills to scale and grow their businesses. Over the past two years, more than 2,000 women participated in over 40 WE BOS Week events in partnership with 15 organizations. "While 35 percent of Boston businesses are women-owned and we enjoy a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, women-led startups still receive significantly less funding," said Kara Miller, Women Entrepreneurs Boston Program Manager. "WE BOS Week events and workshops will address this challenge -- as well as hurdles to growing and scaling businesses -- head-on, and I look forward to working with the startup and broader business community to build on our past success and advanc Boston's women entrepreneurs." The annual WE BOS Week kick-off celebration will be held in partnership with Mass Innovation Nights (MIN) at Women Founders Night at WeWork South Station, where 12 women-led startups will showcase their businesses. The week will also feature free events throughout the City, nearly 200 office hours with leading venture capital firms and accelerators, an entrepreneur pitch contest hosted by The Refinery, instructional workshops, and curated networking opportunities. "Boston has an incredible support system for startups and women entrepreneurs, and initiatives like WE BOS Week are just one way we highlight these resources," said Bobbie Carlton, founder of MIN and Innovation Women. "As we kick-off the third annual WE BOS Week with Mass Innovation Nights #103, we are highlighting not only female founded companies but the support we enjoy from Mayor Walsh, the City of Boston and our extended local community." For a complete list of events happening throughout WE BOS Week, visit we-bos.com or follow @we_bos on Twitter. About WE BOS The WE BOS program advances Boston's women entrepreneurs by providing the resources and network they need launch and grow their business. Since the launch of the program last fall over 1,500 women have participated in WE BOS through one-on-one coaching, educational programming, and networking opportunities. In partnership with the Mayor's office of Women's Advancement and the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, WE BOS supports all women entrepreneurs, including startups, home-based businesses and the established brick-and-mortar mainstays of Boston's neighborhoods, with the goal to increase the number of established women entrepreneurs in the City of Boston and to strengthen and grow Boston's existing women-owned businesses. Learn more on their website. About the Mayor's Office of Economic DevelopmentThe Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their website. About the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement In June 2014, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh created the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement to prioritize advocating for equal opportunity for women and girls in the City of Boston. The Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement creates specific programming and opportunities that support three priority areas: economic equity, health and safety, and data and research. Some of the office's most recent work includes: research on paid parental leave and childcare affordability; a multi-pronged approach to closing the gender wage gap; reducing the demand for sex trafficking in the City of Boston; and creating specific programming for women entrepreneurs. Learn more on their website.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SOUTH BAY HARBOR TRAIL BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH BETWEEN ROXBURY AND SOUTH BOSTON WATERFRONT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SOUTH BAY HARBOR TRAIL BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH BETWEEN ROXBURY AND SOUTH BOSTON WATERFRONT

Phase one of Go Boston 2030 project linking residents to new economic and recreational opportunities goes out to bid for spring construction

BOSTON - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston has worked to successfully secure over $3 million in federal and state funds to construct the first phase of the South Bay Harbor Trail, which when completed will bring three and a half miles of safe walking and cycling paths extending from Ruggles Station in Roxbury to the South Boston waterfront. This first phase will involve building a ¾ mile section of the trail linking the South End to South Boston where it will connect with the existing Fort Point Channel Harborwalk. The South Bay Harbor Trail is one of several ongoing policies and projects identified in the Go Boston 2030 Action Plan that the City of Boston had in development prior to the release of the Action Plan earlier this year. These policies and projects include a series of multi-use paths, such as the South Bay Harbor Trail and the Connect Historic Boston project currently in construction, that will improve access, reliability and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. It was also highlighted by Go Boston 2030 as a Better Bike Corridor that the City would pursue as part of an effort to build low stress bike facilities throughout Boston. "The South Bay Harbor Trail will offer direct, protected access to the South Boston Waterfront for people walking and riding bikes from Ruggles Station in Roxbury, as well as from points in Boston neighborhoods along the way," said Mayor Walsh. "With many job opportunities on the South Boston Waterfront, it is critical that Boston residents have commuting options into the area that are reliable, affordable and safe. The South Bay Harbor Trail meets this demand and I look forward to the start of construction in the spring." As part of the process, the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) designed the project and led a robust community process, MassDOT advertised it for construction on September 16, with a bid opening scheduled for February 13, and construction is scheduled to begin next spring. On behalf of the local community, the City of Boston will continue to coordinate efforts with MassDOT throughout the construction period. "I'd like to thank MassDOT, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, and our community partners for their help with this important project," said Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "The South Bay Harbor Trail is consistent with the transportation goals established in Go Boston 2030 to better and more safely accommodate people walking and riding bikes. It represents another step toward our mission to ensure that Boston's transportation system is prepared to meet demand over the next decade." "I am delighted that construction of the South Bay Harbor Trail is moving forward," said South Boston resident Bill Gleason, President of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association. "Infrastructure like this adds value to our daily living experience, home values and health statistics.  In addition to offering economical, all day access to growing job opportunities, my neighbors and I are also excited to use the trail for exercise and recreation, and as a fun way to connect to restaurants, concerts and other activities taking place on the Waterfront." The route of the South Bay Harbor Trail crosses over bridges and under highways, allowing people to walk and ride bikes in areas that have traditionally been difficult, if not impossible, for them to navigate. Via the Broadway Bridge, the first phase to be constructed will extend from Albany street near Union Park Street in the South End to Dorchester Avenue in South Boston at the entrance to the Gillette facility. More information on the South Bay Harbor Trail Plan is available online. The second phase of the South Bay Harbor Trail will be constructed as part of the Melnea Cass Boulevard roadway reconstruction project. It will run from Ruggles Station, along Melnea Cass Boulevard, to the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue. This phase of the South Bay Harbor Trail is expected to be advertised for construction in 2019. The City of Boston is managing and funding the project design and community process. The City of Boston has secured $25 million in federal and state funds to construct this second phase that will include the full reconstruction of Melnea Cass Boulevard. About Go Boston 2030 Go Boston 2030 is the City of Boston's long term mobility plan. Go Boston 2030  envisions a city in a region where all residents have better and more equitable travel choices, where efficient transportation networks foster economic opportunity, and where steps have been taken to prepare for climate change. Whether traveling by transit, on foot, on a bike, or by car, people will be able to access all parts of Boston safely and reliably. A list of projects and policies have been developed that are being implemented as early action projects in the near term, and a set of long-term projects and policies are intended to be implemented over the next 15 years. To learn more visit, www.goboston2030.org. About Imagine Boston 2030 Go Boston 2030 complements Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years.  Imagine Boston 2030 will guide growth to support our dynamic economy and expand opportunity for all residents.  The plan prioritizes inclusionary growth and puts forth a comprehensive vision to boost quality of life, equity and resilience in every neighborhood across the City.  Shaped by the input of 15,000 residents who contributed their thoughts to the plan, Imagine Boston 2030 identifies five action areas to guide Boston's growth, enhancement and preservation, and is paired with a set of metrics that will evaluate progress and successes.  To learn more visit, imagine.boston.gov. ###

麻州總檢察官要告川普

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR ROLL BACK OF CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE MANDATE

            BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey released the following statement on her office’s plans to sue the Trump Administration today for rolling back mandated birth control coverage.

“The Trump administration’s actions today are a direct attack on women’s health and the right to access affordable and reliable contraception. By gutting this mandate, the religious belief of employers will replace the basic right of a woman to care for herself and her family. My office has been vigilant when it comes to fighting for health care coverage and ensuring equality in the workplace. I will be suing the Trump administration today to stop this rule and defend critical protections for millions of women in Massachusetts and across the country.”

波市長簽暑社區穩定家規法 催促州府立法保障租客、屋主

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS HOME RULE PETITION TO PROTECT BOSTON'S TENANTS AND HOMEOWNERS

Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act will allow Boston to track and manage displacement, educate tenants on their rights

BOSTON - Friday, October 6, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today signed the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act (JBCSA), a home rule petition that will help ensure tenants and former homeowners are aware of their rights under State law. The petition was passed by the City Council on Wednesday, October 4. Once enacted by the State legislature, this law will help protect residential tenants and former homeowners living in their homes following a foreclosure against arbitrary, unreasonable, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions, and help ensure that tenants and former homeowners are aware of their rights under State law. "Many residents throughout Boston rent their homes, and we are committed to ensuring they have the support and protection they need," said Mayor Walsh. "By enacting the JBCSA, the City will be able to track and better manage displacement, educate tenants on their rights, and provide resources to help ensure that households remain housed. This legislation is about fairness and equity -- the JBCSA will help families stay in their homes, keeping our neighborhoods stable and diverse." The Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act was the result of many months of conversations between the City, the advocacy community and local property owners, and creates requirements for landlords to notify the City in the case of eviction. The Act requires landlords or foreclosing owners to provide tenants information concerning their legal rights and resources when serving a notice to quit or other notice of lease non-renewal or expiration. This notice, called the "City Rights Notice", will be created by the City's Office of Housing Stability(OHS). Landlords or foreclosing owners will also be required to provide tenants or former homeowners with written notice on forms prepared by OHS when exercising their right to lease non-renewal or expiration at least 30 days in advance of beginning any action against the tenant or former homeowners. In addition, the Act creates expanded protections for former homeowner evictions; under the provisions of the Act, the foreclosing homeowner can only evict if certain conditions are met. "Rising rents, unjust evictions and growing displacement is hurting Boston residents and families. The Jim Brooks Stabilization Act is a small but important step in addressing the crisis. It's great to be here today with our elected officials. Together, we are committed to helping Boston residents remain in their homes," Darnell L. Johnson, Coordinator of Right to the City Boston. There are several exemptions built into the proposed petition. For example, any units owned by a small landlord who is a Massachusetts resident owning fewer than seven rental units are exempt, as is temporary or transitional housing such as substance use treatment and recovery programs, and transitional housing for individuals who are homeless. Public housing units already subject to eviction restrictions under state and federal law are exempt, as are hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and health facilities, along with units held in a trust on behalf of a developmentally disabled individual, or managed or owned by colleges or universities for housing undergraduate students. The Act outlines penalties for landlords or foreclosing owners who proceed with an eviction without notifying the City, including the potential for the dismissal of the eviction action. In order for the City to gain the right to enforce these sections of the Act, it will be filed by State Representative Chynah Tyler, to be approved by the state legislature. "There's no doubt we as a City have to take a stand in fighting displacement. We have more work to do, but this is a step in the right direction in protecting our residents and their families. The lengthy and in-depth process -- in which the Boston City Council, Mayor Walsh and the Department of Neighborhood Development, along with many other stakeholders carefully analyzed this Act -- was a collaborative effort," said Boston City Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty, Chair of the City Council's Committee on Government Operations. "While this home rule petition goes through the legislative process, let's keep in mind that we recognize the work is not over and the conversation is ongoing in our collective goal to reduce evictions and displacement throughout our City." The petition is named for Jim Brooks, a Roxbury community activist who passed away in April 2016

波士頓慶祝雙十酒會圖片 謝開明攝

民國106年雙十國慶波士頓酒會圖片:謝開明攝

Governors Baker, Carney Visit Springfield Empowerment Zone Schools

Governors Baker, Carney Visit Springfield Empowerment Zone Schools

Gov. John Carney travelled to learn about Springfield’s approach to turning around struggling schools

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Charlie Baker welcomed Delaware Governor John Carney today to Springfield where the governors met with teachers, principals and school leadership teams at schools involved with turnaround efforts as part of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.

“Springfield’s Empowerment Zone Program is a great example of how effective this approach can be for certain districts willing to give teachers and administrators the ability to create the best learning environment for students,” said Governor Baker. “It was a pleasure to show Governor Carney the success of this program and reiterate our commitment to working with the legislature to replicate this approach for other schools in need.”

"Thank you to Governor Baker and educators in Springfield for hosting this visit," said Governor Carney. "We wanted to see first-hand how local officials in Springfield partnered with the state to improve performance in high-needs schools. We also believe that giving greater autonomy to principals and teachers could lead to better outcomes for students in Delaware."

Governor Carney visited Springfield with representatives from the Christina School District in Wilmington, Del., the Delaware State Education Association, the Christina Education Association, and the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission. 

Governor Carney spent the morning visiting classrooms and meeting teachers and principals at the Chestnut schools, a group of three middle schools on the same campus that each take a different approach. Both governors toured the High School of Commerce, which recently joined the Springfield Empowerment Zone partnership and held a roundtable discussion with teachers, school leaders, and local officials. Afterward, the governors visited Honors Academy, a 65-student honors program housed within the same building.  

“We support the Empowerment Zone approach because we want to empower school-level leaders and their teams to make decisions and changes needed for their schools,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

In 2014, Springfield Public Schools partnered with Empower Schools, a nonprofit organization that works with communities to improve schools and boost academic results for students. Nine middle schools and two high schools are in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, which is overseen by an independent joint city-state board.

During his State of the Commonwealth address in January, Governor Baker highlighted the Empowerment Zone approach in Springfield as a promising way to improve struggling schools, and said he supports legislation filed by Senator Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow) and Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) that would give school districts more flexibility to turn around underperforming schools by creating “Innovation Zones,” similar to what Springfield schools did.

“It’s an honor to welcome Governor Carney to Western Massachusetts and to showcase the fantastic work happening in the Springfield school system. The Springfield model is showing success for students that can be replicated across the state and even around the country,” Senator Eric Lesser said.

"The model embraced by the Springfield Public Schools gives those at the school level, teachers as well as administrators, the authority and flexibility that are critical to improving student outcomes,” said Representative Alice Peisch. “Governor Carney's visit today indicates that the work in Springfield is valued beyond our borders. I am hopeful that the legislation I filed along with Sen. Lesser will be enacted so that this model can be replicated across the Commonwealth."

The schools in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership are governed by a seven-member board that includes Mayor Dominic Sarno, School Superintendent Daniel Warwick and School Committee Vice Chair Chris Collins, as well John Davis, James Morton, Beverly Holmes and Chris Gabrieli, who chairs the empowerment zone board. After the first year (2015-2016), the majority of schools in the Zone showed improvements in three of the state’s primary performance measures, including percentage of students meeting standards, composite performance index (CPI) and student growth percentile (SGP).

第九屆絲竹春吟音樂會10/7晚登場

(波士頓訊)中華表演藝術基金會將於2017年10月7日週六晚上7:30，於波士頓First Church of Boston (66 Marlborough Street, Boston) 舉行第9屆「絲竹春吟」青少年中國器樂音樂會。所有在音樂會裡的演出者，都是在 9月30日徴選會裡 所選出優秀的演奏者。 當晚節目將包括有楊琴、古箏、二胡、琵琶、和嗩吶 。音樂會免費入場,, 建議捐贈每人10美元。歡迎大眾到場聆聽。

為激勵青少年學習中國器樂的意願，引發其對中國文化的興趣，並為學子提供一個觀摩與表現的機會，「絲竹春吟」至今已經邁入第 9年。參加徴選者並無國籍與地區之限制，舉凡9至22歲的青少年，能親赴波士頓者皆歡迎報名參加徴選會。

今年徴選會之評審委員有東北大學音樂系主任Anthony De Ritis、朱蓉、陸惠風、郭雅志、郭天生等音樂家及 藝評學者組成。演出曲目以傳統中國樂曲為主。音樂會另邀請專業人士示範演出。今年邀請 王媛演出古筝， 干云卓演出揚琴, 由張正山,  黃少堅,  甄若茅, 林戰濤老師們伴奏。

查詢請洽: 中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵
Email: Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net, www.ChinesePerformingArts.net

中華表演藝術基金會  Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts               3 Partridge Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773 ChinesePerformingArts.net Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net  The 9th Annual Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo  絲竹春吟音樂會 2017 Saturday, 10/ 7/ 2017, 7:30 PM Free Admission  Suggested donation $10 at door. First Church in Boston 66 Marlborough Street, Boston   Program  includes solo, duo, and ensembles of guzheng, dulcimer, erhu, pipa, suona, and horse-head fiddler.  Performers were selected by an audition on 9/30.  Special guest artists  Ms. Yuan Wang 王媛, guzheng  Ms. YunZhuo Gan 干云卓, dulcimer accompanied by  Ching-San Cheung 張正山, flute， Elisa Cheung 黃少堅 , dulcimer,   Zhan-Tao Lin 林戰濤 erhu,   and  Chenchu Rong荣晨初, percussion Program detail and bios of guest artists at:http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/competition/music/index.htm www.ChinesePerformingArts.net  Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net