Developer Selected for Chelsea Soldiers’ Home Domiciliary Project

 Developer Selected for Chelsea Soldiers’ Home Domiciliary Project

 

CHELSEA – Today, the Baker Polito Administration announced the designation of Pennrose, LLC., as the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea domiciliary campus redevelopment partner. This designation follows a competitive bid process that included request for proposals (RFP) and an extensive developer selection process involving a collaboration across multiple state agencies including the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea, the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).

 

The RFP requires Pennrose to ensure that the redeveloped site offers a full complement of services to Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea domiciliary residents and staff at the redeveloped site, including case management, clinical care, prepared meals, and transportation. The redevelopment is expected to break ground in 2023, and will include 248 units of mixed-income housing across a broad range of household sizes.

 

“The Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea redevelopment project represents our administration’s continued commitment to providing the Commonwealth’s veterans with the housing and care they deserve,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The selection of this development partner is a major step towards better meeting the needs of veteran residents, their families, and the community now and in the future.”

 

“For several years, our administration has engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process to address the future needs of the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Today’s announcement is a significant step forward toward realizing the vision that has been laid out, and we look forward to Pennrose’s redevelopment project.”

 

The 8.7-acre site is centered along Crest Avenue and is currently home to approximately 150 veteran residents in single room occupancy style accommodations, with shared bathrooms and central dining. The Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea Campus Redevelopment Master Plan was completed by DCAMM in 2019 and identified program and campus goals to provide needed capital investment, refresh the historic domiciliary program, and provide a 21st century, state-of-the-art, environment for an evolving veterans community with diverse residential needs.

 

“An exciting component of the renovation of the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea includes the creation of affordable and responsive housing for our Veterans,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “Today’s announcement is the critical next step in revitalizing the campus of the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea.”

 

“The Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea is an historic fixture in the community that we have worked diligently to preserve the key services of health care and housing for Veterans in Massachusetts who have served our nation,” said Cheryl Lussier Poppe, Secretary of Veterans’ Services. “From the start, Pennrose demonstrated they excel in redeveloping complex properties into dynamic affordable housing that serves a diverse Veteran population.”

 

“Pennrose, LLC. brings a wealth of expertise in veterans preference housing and multi-phased, adaptive reuse, campus developments” said DCAMM Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “They are a strong partner that is committed to being responsive to the needs of the Commonwealth’s Veterans’ community.”

 

Pennrose, LLC. is a nationally acclaimed developer headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the last six years, Pennrose’s local Boston office has worked to build a pipeline of over 300 units of affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth. They have a strong track record across the east coast as a developer and property manager of Veteran’s Housing and demonstrated success in achieving diversity and inclusion objectives in comparable projects.

AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY FOR CONSUMERS AND AUTO DEALERS ON THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS ON ADVERTISING AND PRICING

 AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY FOR CONSUMERS AND AUTO DEALERS

ON THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS ON ADVERTISING AND PRICING

Advisory Prompted by Consumer Complaints about Deceptive Advertising Practices by Auto Dealers in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued an advisory to consumers and auto dealers, notifying them of their respective rights and obligations when it comes to automobile advertising and pricing. Specifically, the advisory reminds auto dealers of their obligation to accurately advertise prices, honor advertised prices, and comply with consumer lease contract provisions.

            The advisory is being issued in response to a significant increase in consumer complaints to the AG’s Office regarding unfair or deceptive pricing practices by auto dealers. Consumers allege that dealerships advertise certain prices online, only to deny consumers those prices at the dealership, and in some cases even after the dealer had confirmed the advertised price in an email. Other consumers report that dealers would not honor buyout provisions in lease agreements, which allow consumers to purchase leased vehicles at the end of their lease terms, instead requiring consumers to return their vehicles. 

            “Purchasing a vehicle is a significant financial investment for many individuals and families,” said AG Healey. “After a surge in complaints to my office, we’re making sure consumers are aware of their rights under the law, and that auto dealerships know our office will take action against these deceptive sales tactics.”

            As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the new and used car markets have experienced an increased demand for cars coupled with a car supply shortage, as people turn away from public transportation over concerns about spread of the virus and manufacturing has been disrupted by production slowdowns. This has led to significant increases in pricing for new and used vehicles, creating the potential for auto advertising and pricing violations.

            The AG’s advisory addresses these concerns by reminding auto dealers of their legal obligations to consumers, including:

• Dealerships can’t refuse to sell a vehicle for the price advertised.
• It is unfair or deceptive for dealerships to post or advertise inaccurate prices or prices that the dealership will not honor.
• It is unfair or deceptive for dealerships to make misrepresentations about the value of a vehicle.
• Dealerships must clearly and conspicuously disclose all included and excluded charges in any advertised price of a vehicle as well as the expiration date of any advertised price.
• Dealerships have legal obligations to honor the terms of any contract with a consumer regarding the lease of a vehicle, including a consumer’s right to purchase the vehicle.
• Dealerships must comply with existing statutes, rules, regulations, and laws intended to provide protection to consumers.

            Consumers who believe that an automobile dealership has violated the law regarding automobile advertising, pricing, and/or lease buyout provisions should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-consumer-complaint or call the AG’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400.

            For more information on your rights when buying a vehicle, visit the AG’s website. 

            This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Kimberly McDonald, Ann Lynch, Lizabeth Lagarto Marshall, and paralegal Hanan Traiba, all from the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, and Consumer Specialist Krystle Carvalho from the AG’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division.

State Agricultural Officials Discover Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Population in Worcester County

State Agricultural Officials Discover Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Population in Worcester County

Satellite Population in Fitchburg Represents Easternmost Spread of Pest 

Adult SLF (photo credit: Lawrence Barringer, PDA) 

FITCHBURG – The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced today that a small population of the invasive spotted lanternfly has been found in the City of Fitchburg, close to where a lanternfly nymph was reported earlier this summer. Agricultural inspectors are in the middle of performing extensive surveys in the area, but currently the infestation is limited to a single cluster of three trees. While MDAR has not been able to determine the origin of the infestation, spotted lanternflies have been known to travel out of infested states on cars, trucks, and trains, during shipments of produce, sheds, and gazebos, trees and shrubs for landscaping, and many other items that are regularly sent from states with known infestations.

SLF adult found on a tree in Fitchburg,
MA September (Photo credit: MDAR)

As a result of this new find, MDAR is urging the public to be on the lookout for the pest, especially residents that live or work in the Fitchburg area. Spotted lanternflies may be found on sides of buildings, in or on vehicles, and on their preferred host plants: tree of heaven, grape vines, and maple and walnut trees. Anyone who has recently received goods or materials from states where SLF is known to have been introduced (including Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) should also be on the lookout.

“The spotted lanternfly can have devastating impacts on Massachusetts’ agricultural industry, including on a number of farms and orchards in this part of the state that we want to protect from this pest,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Early detection and reporting is the best way to slow the spread of spotted lanternfly. Members of the public, particularly those in the Fitchburg area, have seen this pest, they are asked to report it as soon as possible.”

If residents find anything suspicious, they are asked to take a photo or collect the specimen, and report the sighting using MDAR’s online reporting form. Residents should look for both adult insects (large, gray bugs, about one inch long, with black spots and red underwings) and egg masses (inch-long, rectangular masses, yellowish-brown, and covered with a gray waxy coating). The egg masses may be found on any flat surface.

Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula, “SLF”) is an invasive sap-feeding insect from Asia that was first found in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania. While the main host plant of this pest is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), spotted lanternfly attacks many different trees, shrubs, and vines, and has the potential to impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, including apples, peaches, grapes/wine, hops/beer, maple syrup, and ornamental plants. While individual spotted lanternflies have been found in several different parts of the state over the past several years, this is the first evidence that Massachusetts has a breeding population. A current map showing towns and cities where SLF has been found can be downloaded from https://massnrc.org/pests/slf.

 

Nymphs of SLF, from left to right, youngest to oldest (photo credit: Teá Kesting-Handly)

北美台商前總會長吳怡明訪波士頓 謝波克萊、新英格蘭兩商會 推智慧醫療

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(前左二)與監事長李金標(前左一)，秘書長游淑華(前右一)，聯誼主任楊惠清(第二排右四)等人
到訪，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元(前右二)，波克萊台商會秘書長陳玉瑛(第二排右二)，會長徐小玲(第二排右三)等人歡迎。(周菊子攝)

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(前左二)、藍佳欣(前右一)夫婦到訪，新英格蘭台商會理事蔡明機(前右二)在羅爾市設宴歡迎，
與波士頓經文處處長孫儉元、倪雪娥夫婦(前中)，科技組組長謝水龍(前左一)等人留影。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導)

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左)送獎狀，防疫夾克給
波士頓經文處長孫儉元(右)。(周菊子攝)

北美洲台灣商會聯合總會第33屆總會長吳怡明卸任後，率該屆幹部到訪波士頓，探望波克萊和新英格蘭兩台灣商會，送上防疫夾克，感謝支持，並鼓吹台商會走新方向，和科技團體合作，開展智慧醫療商機。

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左)送獎狀，防疫夾克給
波克萊台商會顧問游勝雄。(周菊子攝)

           吳怡明在今年6月卸任後，升任名譽總會長，負有輔佐新任總會長之責。他坦言過去一年礙於新冠病毒疫情，辦活動不容易，但他們仍能組團回台灣，到雙橡園參訪，推動捐贈千萬片口罩，還成功舉辦100場「北美台商標竿卓越講堂」，藉網路讓全美39個各地分會對彼此有更進一步了解，全靠各地商會的支持。為此他特地選在9月25日來波士頓做感恩之旅，好一舉兩得的順道為女兒慶生。   

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左)送獎狀，防疫夾克給
波克萊台商會會長徐小玲。(周菊子攝)

             吳怡明盛讚波克萊台商會會長徐小玲，新英格蘭台商會會長林才民在北美台商辦線上講座時，率幹部們完美配合，還有波克萊台灣商會理事兼北美洲台商會衛生醫療組主任委員蘇鴻昌，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元的協助，才讓他們在備受疫情打擊下，仍有豐碩成果。他說這次和北美洲台灣商會第33屆的秘書長游淑華，聯誼主任委員楊惠清，以及監事長李金標聯袂到訪，就是為了要親自的一一送上防疫夾克，感謝獎狀，背包，聊表心意。  

           波克萊和新英格蘭台商會於9月25日在Swampscott，波克萊台灣商會會長徐小玲所開的「台灣美食之家 (Gourmet Garden) 」餐廳，聯袂歡迎吳怡明等人到訪。             

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左)送獎狀，防疫夾克給
新英格蘭台商會理事蔡明機。(周菊子攝)

              歡迎會由波克萊台灣商會秘書長陳玉瑛主持，波克萊台灣商會創會會長游勝雄報告每年到世界各大州旅遊，欣賞過世界最寬，位於南美洲的伊瓜蘇瀑布，到紐西蘭南島冰川體驗高空彈跳，在巴西珠寶商那兒遍賞巴西祖母綠等珍貴寶石等地參加台商會好處。波克萊台商會財政暨新任波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，新英格蘭台灣商會副會長王志維等人也都分別致詞。

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左)送商會夾克給
新英格蘭台商會會長林才民。(周菊子攝)

             在北美洲台灣商會中至少有14名諮詢委員的波克萊台灣商會，這天大動員，歷任前會長，包括林信福，楊羅東，劉秀春，羅靜春，以及候任會長李孟潔和多名理事，共十餘人出席。新英格蘭台灣商會有兩名前會長歐陽露，林鳳池，兩名副會長王志維，林思妤代表出席。

             新英格蘭台灣商會理事暨北美洲台灣商會諮詢委員蔡明機因身為紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長，當天必須出席該會第44屆年會，特地在26日那天，假羅爾市中國星餐廳，設宴歡迎吳怡明等人。

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左三)，藍佳欣(右二)夫婦送
商會揹包給波克萊台商會理事們，右啟蘇鴻昌，沈立威，陳玉瑛，
林信福夫婦，劉秀春，羅靜春。(周菊子攝)

           在經文處科技組組長謝水龍，新英格蘭台灣商會理事牙醫師李台也出席了的這場歡迎宴中，吳怡明侃侃而談他認為商業和科技結合是不可避免的未來趨勢，並指大波士頓地區最適合推廣智慧醫療與台灣的合作。

北美洲台商總會第33屆總會長吳怡明(左)、藍佳欣(右一)夫婦，
秘書長游淑華(右四)，聯誼主任楊惠清(左二)，送商會揹包給
新英格蘭台商會理事們，包括副會長王志維(右二)、林思妤
(左四)，前會長歐陽露(左三)，林鳳池(右三)。(周菊子攝)

TAAF Announces Its Anti-Hate National Network, Including The Launch of AAPI Action Centers in Chicago, New York City, and Oakland

 TAAF Announces Its Anti-Hate National Network, Including The Launch of AAPI Action Centers in Chicago, New York City, and Oakland

TAAF Also Unveils AAPI Emergency Relief Fund in Partnership with GoFundMe to Support Victims of Anti-AAPI Hate and Violence Across the Country

WASHINGTON, DC, September 28, 2021 — The Asian American Foundation ("TAAF"), a convener, incubator, and funder for the Asian American and Pacific Islander ("AAPI") communities, today announced the launch of TAAF's Anti-Hate National Network (the “Network”), which includes AAPI Action Centers (“Action Centers”) to combat anti-AAPI hate. TAAF also unveiled its AAPI Emergency Relief Fund in partnership with GoFundMe to drive the quick deployment of resources to victims of anti-AAPI hate and violence.

TAAF launched in May 2021 to solve for the longstanding lack of investment and support provided to AAPI communities. Since then, TAAF has been focusing its efforts on three strategic priorities: data and research, anti-hate, and education. TAAF is taking a dual approach to addressing the onslaught of anti-AAPI hate that continues in communities throughout America: tackling hate nationally through its Anti-Hate National Network and locally through AAPI Action Centers. TAAF aims to build a new model that brings AAPI communities together, creates a greater sense of belonging, and puts ideas into action.

TAAF's Anti-Hate National Network is a unique investment that aims to provide greater coordination and collaboration between a diverse set of organizations working to combat anti-AAPI hate by assembling them as part of a shared effort to better ensure resources get to where they are needed. Organizations have been included in the Network because they are providing critical resources to AAPI communities that TAAF wants to invest in and help grow in order to scale better anti-hate tracking, protection, response, and prevention measures. The following organizations have received initial grants from TAAF and are now part of its Network: Act to Change, Asian American Journalists Association, Interfaith Youth Core, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), RISE Together Fund, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and Sikh Coalition.

To address anti-AAPI hate locally, TAAF is piloting AAPI Action Centers led by on-the-ground partner organizations that will serve as hubs for addressing hate in their respective cities. TAAF has provided funding to those lead organizations to help them grow the impact of their existing anti-hate services and engage in new programming led by TAAF. Each Action Center will be connected to each other, and they will feed into the umbrella of TAAF’s Anti-Hate National Network to ensure best practices are being transmitted between the national and local levels of work. The Action Centers will engage with partners in local government, media, and business to provide resources and solidarity for communities impacted by anti-AAPI hate, and they’ll work with TAAF to identify opportunities to standardize anti-hate measures for future Action Centers. 

“Since our launch, we have been laser-focused on using TAAF’s unique position to protect AAPI communities from hate now and in the future,” said Sonal Shah, President of TAAF. “Our AAPI families, friends, and neighbors continue to be blamed for the pandemic. The launch of our Anti-Hate National Network, AAPI Action Centers, and AAPI Emergency Relief Fund is TAAF’s full-throated response to the hate happening in our communities that for too long has gone unchecked. Make no mistake, we plan to unleash the resources and tools necessary to take on the crisis of hate and create a broader sense of belonging — we’re just getting started.”

For its AAPI Action Centers, TAAF is starting with three pilot cities, Chicago, IL, New York, NY, and Oakland, CA:

• Chicago: Chinese American Service League (CASL) will serve as the Chicago AAPI Action Center and has received a grant of $500,000 from TAAF to support its Client Advocacy Unit, which includes comprehensive victim support including mental and primary health, legal services, housing, employment, and care coordination. CASL is also building its journalistic readiness program to ensure effective, impactful media coverage of anti-AAPI hate incidents. In addition, CASL will expand the work of its signature Community Equity Research Center which offers opportunities to expand cross-racial solidarity through education, advocacy, and community building. 

• New York City: The Asian American Federation will serve as the NYC AAPI Action Center and has received a grant of $500,000 from TAAF to support its Hope Against Hate Campaign which offers preventative safety trainings like upstander intervention and self-defense strategies, robust victim support services, and centralized ways to report assaults in order to get connected to services. The Asian American Federation is also spearheading a safety ambassador program to train volunteers in NYC to accompany AAPI community members in public places to help curb assaults and harassment. 

• Oakland: Asian Health Services (AHS) will serve as the Oakland AAPI Action Center and has received a grant of $500,000 from TAAF to support its high-caliber health and wellness services, as well as its advocacy for health care equity for AAPIs. As part of its Action Center offerings, AHS is providing a trauma care unit, referral linkage services, and community level interventions to counter anti-AAPI hate. TAAF is also working with AHS on its African American / Asian American Racial Trauma Project, which aims to create a body of knowledge focused on racial trauma in African American and AAPI communities in order to understand how these experiences impact race relations and emotional wellbeing. 

“We are grateful for this opportunity to work with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) as the Chicago hub in this bold, national anti-hate initiative,” said Paul Luu, CEO of Chinese American Service League (CASL). “Through partnerships with city and community leaders, we will respond to incidents of hate and provide victim emergency services through our Client Advocacy Unit. We will engage with community partners to better respond to and prevent acts of hate. We will build cross racial partnerships to foster learning, safety, and security. And, we will stand together with one voice that shouts, ‘Chicago will not tolerate acts of hate against any person, regardless of their race, gender, or ability.’” 

“New York is one of the greatest cities in the world, so it is especially disheartening to those of us who love this city that it has become an epicenter for anti-AAPI hate,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of The Asian American Federation. “The hate incidents AAPI New Yorkers have had to endure on the subways and streets are near-constant, and so we welcome TAAF’s investment in the work being done to keep vulnerable AAPI communities safe. We’re grateful that TAAF has empowered us to do more to connect our communities with critical safety resources and we are pleased to take on this important role as the city’s AAPI Action Center.”

 

“California has seen the largest proportion of anti-AAPI hate incidents in the country since the pandemic hit,” said Sherry Hirota, Chief Executive Officer of Asian Health Services. “Oakland and the Bay Area have a long history of advocacy and activism. Not to be blamed or ignored, our AAPI community is strong and resilient. Racism and anti-AAPI hate are public health issues and the solutions will be long term and complex. We are in this to respond with real and practical solutions now, but also for the long haul, working within the AAPI community, and building on this region’s rich legacy of coalition-building with communities of color to advocate for the health and safety of all. We are honored to join forces with TAAF and serve as Oakland's hub for fighting anti-AAPI hate." 

TAAF also wants to ensure it can provide immediate, flexible support to the victims of hate incidents who are in urgent need of help. So TAAF created an AAPI Emergency Relief Fund in partnership with GoFundMe. TAAF has seeded the fund with an initial investment of $500,000 for victims of anti-AAPI hate, and partnered with GoFundMe to help grow those funds with additional community donations. To donate to the fund, please visit GoFundMe’s website. For more information about the fund, please visit TAAF’s website.

Since its launch, TAAF has committed over $7 million to its anti-hate efforts which, in addition to today’s news, have included the development of its Rapid Response Toolkit, its Documenting Anti-AAPI Hate Codebook in partnership with Stop Anti-AAPI Hate, and an interfaith mobilization toolkit designed by the InterFaith Youth Core for college campuses.

This Thursday, September 30, TAAF will co-host a virtual event with NextShark: “From Hate to Hope - Building a National Network for Belonging.” TAAF President Sonal Shah will be joined by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Benny Luo, Founder & CEO of NextShark, Thu Quach of Asian Health Services, and Jo-Ann Yoo of the Asian American Federation. Amna Nawaz with PBS NewsHour will moderate the event. Please register and join us for this exciting event. 

波士頓美術博物館展日本刺青版畫

NOVEMBER 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 20, 2022 Tattoos in Japanese Prints "Actors Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Asahina Tо̄bei (R), Nakamura Shikan IV as Washi no Chо̄kichi (C), and Sawamura Tosshо̄ II as Yume no Ichibei (L)" (1868), Toyohara Kunichika

Some of the world’s most popular tattoo motifs trace back to early 19th-century Edo (modern Tokyo), where tattoo artists took inspiration from color woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e. Today, the global popularity of tattoos has brought renewed attention to the centuries-old Japanese tradition. Drawn from the MFA’s renowned collection of Japanese art, Tattoos in Japanese Prints looks closely at the social background, iconography and visual splendor of tattoos through the printed media that helped carry them from the streets of Edo-period Japan to 21st-century tattoo shops all over the world. The exhibition features nearly 80 works by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) and his contemporaries—including his colleague and rival Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864) and his pupil Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892). Among the highlights are a selection of prints from Kuniyoshi’s best-selling series One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (about 1827–30). Oral traditions among contemporary tattoo artists credit these works, based on a Chinese tale of a band of 108 heroic outlaws fighting corrupt officials, for giving rise to a new fashion of extensive pictorial tattoos. Kuniyoshi created spectacular original designs for the heroes, adorning their bodies with fearsome lions, coiling snakes, lush peonies, supernatural beings and dragons of various kinds. Exploring the Japanese tattoo’s evolving meanings, from declarations of religious or romantic devotion to symbols punishment and even crime, Tattoos in Japanese Prints presents a fascinating history of a tradition that continues to influence artists and enthusiasts today. The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue produced by MFA Publications, featuring a comprehensive essay by Sarah E. Thompson, Curator of Japanese Art, and detailed entries of nearly 50 artworks.

BAA公佈第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽細節

B.A.A. Announces 125^th Boston Marathon Programming, Race Starters, Grand Marshals & $125,000 Grant Recipients

Celebrations to honor Boston Marathon history & future of running

BOSTON—With two weeks until the 125^th Boston Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced today a slate of race weekend events and programming that honor the history of the race and support running for the next generation.

“I am delighted to share the many ways we at the B.A.A. will celebrate the historic running of the 125^th Boston Marathon,” said Tom Grilk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A. “Whether it be through free children’s fitness activities or a dine-out campaign to spur economic recovery, our events throughout Boston Marathon weekend demonstrate that it is more than a race—it’s a community celebration.”

Celebrating 125 Years

More than 900 days after the last in-person Boston Marathon took place, the B.A.A. will host its first-ever Opening Celebration, which will highlight important moments from Boston Marathon history and feature a presentation of the Greek Olive Wreaths presented annually to Boston Marathon champions. The celebration will be held on Friday, October 8 at 6:00 p.m. in Copley Square.

A woman’s running pioneer who finished first three times at a point when women were not yet welcome in the Boston Marathon, Sara Mae Berman will be honored and recognized with a banner on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of her final victory—which falls on International Day of the Girl. The B.A.A. will also welcome Anna Brown-Jackson and Michael Monroe, Sr., the grandchildren of two-time Boston Marathon champion Ellison Brown, to accept a banner on behalf of their family. Brown, a member of the Narragansett tribe, took first place in 1936 and 1939. The 85^th anniversary of his first historic win falls on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

“Running and winning the Boston Marathon was something grandpa loved! He had gained another family through the Boston Athletic Association that he always talked about, one that we today are also glad to be a part of,” said Brown-Jackson. “Being an Indigenous person meant everything to grandpa because he was very competitive to begin with. If someone told him he couldn’t do something, whether it was winning the marathon or crossing through a path of land to gather shellfish for his family, he’d make sure to prove them wrong and do it!”

The Opening Celebration will also honor the legacies of notable Boston Marathon figures who were lost this year. The B.A.A. will award the first Dick & Rick Hoyt Award, which will be presented annually to someone who exhibits the spirit of Team Hoyt’s legacy. Additionally, Boston Marathon champions and members of the John Hancock Professional Athlete Team Des Linden, Meb Keflezighi, Manuela Schär, Yuki Kawauchi, Lelisa Desisa, Edna Kiplagat, and Geoffrey Kirui will help dedicate the Gloria Ratti Collection—the expansive archives compiled over decades by the B.A.A.’s late Vice President and archivist Gloria Ratti. Throughout the weekend, a mobile collection of the archives will be on view in Copley Square.

In consultation with the Boston Running Collaborative Steering Committee, the B.A.A. is awarding $125,000 to organizations working to increase access to running for communities of color. The B.A.A. is proud to recognize those organizations during the Opening Ceremony: Boston Public Schools, Black Girls Run Boston, Black Men Run, PIONEERS Run Crew, TrailblazHers, Adaptive Sports New England, Boston Lions Track Club, Boston United Track Club, MetroCobras Track Club, SoleTrain: Boston Runs Together, Youth Enrichment Services, and YMCA of Greater Boston.

Boston Marathon Weekend Programming

Copley Square will be buzzing with free, outdoor programming all weekend long at the Boston Marathon Fan Fest presented by Amazon. From community shake out runs led by Black Men Run and Black Girls Run, to kids fitness activities and panels with the top Americans racing Boston or with 2020 Olympian Abdi Abdirahman, there will be something for everyone. Fan Fest will be held Friday, October 8 until Sunday, October 10 and will coincide with the Boston Marathon Expo. Open to the public, anyone can shop the largest adidas Boston Marathon store in Boston. Masks will be required within the Expo, and only participants who have received their health and safety bracelet may enter the bib number pick up area.

Looking for something to eat before race day? Celebrate the 125^th Boston Marathon while supporting restaurants across Boston with Boston Marathon Restaurant Week presented by Samuel Adams. Beginning Monday, October 4 through Sunday, October 10, select restaurants will feature marathon-inspired items to dine with friends and families, grab something to go, or carbo load for race day. This year the Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams will also be transformed into a citywide celebration. The B.A.A. and Samuel Adams invite you to toast the 125^th Boston Marathon at one of the official Mile 27 Post-Race Celebration spots, located across Boston, on Monday, October 11.

Honoring the Boston Marathon’s Indigenous History

For the only time in its history, the Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, October 11—which is recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in cities and towns on the marathon route. Patti Catalano Dillon, Mi’kmaq, three-time Boston Marathon runner-up, will be interviewed at Fan Fest about setting the American marathon record at Boston 40 years ago. Catalano Dillon, who is also featured in the 125^th Boston Marathon Banner Program, will serve as an official starter for the Men’s and Women’s Open Races on October 11.

“It's such an honor to be asked and I'm so humbled and excited to celebrate both aspects of my identity—as a Bostonian and an Indigenous person,” said Catalano Dillon. “The Boston Marathon and the Native community both made me who I am today, and I am delighted to have an opportunity to celebrate them.”

On the five-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Pursuit Program, the B.A.A. will donate $10,000 to WINGS of America, a national organization with a mission of strengthening Native youth and their families through running, to support youth programming. Dustin Martin, executive director of WINGS of America, will be recognized in a race weekend event. At Fan Fest, painter and muralist, Yatika Starr Fields, who will be running in support of WINGS of America on October 11, will create a piece that expresses gratitude to the history of Indigenous runners of the Boston Marathon past and present. From October 8-10 in Copley Square, Fields will engage with local artists, community members, and Indigenous runners to develop a piece inspired by Ellison Brown.

In August, the B.A.A. announced it would donate $20,000 to fund the first-ever Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration in Newton. The B.A.A. will also read a land acknowledgment prior to the October 11 race.

Grand Marshals & Official Race Starters

The 125^th Boston Marathon Grand Marshals will be frontline workers who have been nominated by hospitals from the John Hancock Non-Profit and B.A.A. Charity Programs. The frontline workers, who will be announced over race weekend, will be accompanied by marathon champions including Meb Keflezighi, Sara Mae Berman, Bill Rodgers, and Joan Benoit Samuelson and driven the 26 miles in two Boston DUCK Boats, Back Bay Bertha and Catie Copley.

In addition to Patti Catalano Dillon starting the open races, 1968 Boston champion Amby Burfoot will start the Men’s and Women’s Wheelchair Races. Russell Hoyt, son of the late Dick Hoyt, will be the starter for the Handcycle and Duo Divisions, while Christina Welton, great granddaughter of the late George V. Brown, will keep the family tradition going by serving as a starter for the Para Athletics Division. Finally, the Boston Marathon’s first-ever rolling start will be signaled by Hopkinton Fire Chief, Bill Miller. Returning to the Boylston Street announcers’ booth for the final stretch of the race is 1983 Boston Marathon champion Greg Meyer.

Announced earlier this year, the 125^th Boston Marathon will feature a rolling start and earlier start times:

DIVISION/PROGRAM	START TIME
Men's Wheelchair	8:02 a.m. ET
Women's Wheelchair	8:05 a.m. ET
Handcycles & Duos	8:30 a.m. ET
Professional Men	8:37 a.m. ET
Professional Women	8:45 a.m. ET
Para Athletics Division	8:50 a.m. ET
Rolling start begins	9:00 a.m. ET

The B.A.A. strongly encourages everyone to “Earn A PR” by practicing personal responsibility for the 125^th Boston Marathon. From participants to guests traveling with athletes to spectators cheering on participants, all are encouraged to take efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a mask when they cannot socially distance, including at any outdoor events, and all will be required to wear a mask indoors. Anyone who develops any symptoms must avoid public activity except for going to get a COVID-19 test.

The 125^th Boston Marathon will be broadcast live in its entirety locally on WBZ-TV (CBS Boston), nationally on NBC Sports Network, and on the NBC Sports App. Participants, volunteers, and spectators can also download the new B.A.A. Racing App to stay updated on news, leaderboards, athlete tracking, and more.

Media looking to cover the 125^th Boston Marathon may submit credentials requests here.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.) 

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. manages the Boston Marathon, and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round programming. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock. The 125^th Boston Marathon is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 11, 2021. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

 

 

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MEDIA CONTACTS

 

Kendra Butters

Director of Communications

kbutters@baa.org

508-954-0210

 

Chris Lotsbom

Communications Manager

clotsbom@baa.org

508-505-8347

Lydia Edwards endorsed by Juan Jaramillo

Lydia Edwards endorsed by Juan Jaramillo

Revere community leader and activist cites Edwards’ effective leadership 

 

REVERE – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed by Juan Jaramillo, Democratic State Committee member and former candidate to the Massachusetts House of Representatives to represent the 19th Suffolk District (Revere & Winthrop).

In his endorsement, Jaramillo stated:

“Councilwoman Edwards is the best choice to be the next state senator for Revere. I stand by her because she has delivered for working families in our city as a lawmaker, advocate, and attorney. As a proud product of our city who represents it at the state level on the Democratic State Committee, I have witnessed firsthand how Lydia can deliver for us. Revere deserves the most qualified and Lydia is that person, join me in voting for Lydia on December 14th.”

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. To date, Edwards has been endorsed by: OPEIU Local 453, Teamsters Local 25. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements. 

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES VIRTUAL JOB FAIR SERIES FOR RETURNING CITIZENS AND JOB-SEEKERS

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES VIRTUAL JOB FAIR SERIES FOR RETURNING CITIZENS AND JOB-SEEKERS

 

BOSTON – Monday, September 27, 2021 - As part of the City of Boston’s commitment to an equitable economic recovery, Mayor Kim Janey today announced a virtual job fair series designed to help justice-involved individuals and other job-seekers access job openings, job search skills, educational opportunities, and other resources. The events, held 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday in October, come at a critical time in the City’s recovery, following the recent expiration of expanded federal unemployment benefits for many residents. “As the City’s economy rebounds and more employers are hiring, we need to be sure our workers are ready to fill those positions,” said Mayor Janey. “That’s why we’re collaborating with our partners to offer valuable job-related skills and information to residents, including those making a fresh start after incarceration. A second chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series promotes.” The series is organized by MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, and Project Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs). People incarcerated at the Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of Correction will be able to participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. “We know that good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and opportunities like these is extremely important.”  “At MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and resources.”  The event series is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires participants to register at tinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows: ·    Resume Basics: Wednesday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ·    Interview Basics: Wednesday, Oct.13, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ·    Resource Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ·    Job Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The job fair will feature such employers as Amazon, Action for Boston Community Development, CentiMark, Flour Bakery & Cafe, Greater Boston Food Bank, VPNE, and Whole Foods Market. In addition to promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for the cost of accessing a CORI, while partner Lawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged.