MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2022-2023 BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2022-2023 BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS

BOSTON - Friday, September 2, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Cultural Council, today announced applications are open for the 2022-2023 Boston Cultural Council grant program. Boston Cultural Council grants are available for organizations that benefit the public by offering arts programming in Boston's neighborhoods. “We’re proud to support Boston’s arts and culture organizations in bringing joy and connection across our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These investments will directly empower cultural expression to build a more inclusive and vibrant city.” “Every year through this program, we’re able to award grants to a mix of arts organizations that have been bringing meaningful arts opportunities to residents for decades, new organizations that are applying for the first time, and everything in between,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. “We are dedicated to supporting a wide range of organizations in Boston’s arts landscape, while focusing on the smaller organizations that are doing incredible equity work throughout the city.” The Boston Cultural Council (BCC) works under the umbrella of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture to annually distribute funds allocated by the City of Boston and the Mass Cultural Council for local arts and cultural programming. The BCC helps to ensure that the City’s grantmaking responds to the needs of the cultural community.  BCC members represent the city’s districts and are appointed by the Mayor. Council members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to Boston's cultural community and their knowledge of various arts disciplines.  To better promote cultural equity in the Boston arts ecosystem, the BCC made a shift in its grant making strategy in 2019 that more intentionally supports small to mid-sized arts organizations in the Boston arts ecosystem. Beginning in 2021, the BCC further supported small organizations by committing the majority of grant funds to those with the smallest budgets. Through this grant program, organizations with annual budgets under $2 million can apply for BCC grants of $2,000, $3,500, or $5,000 depending on budget size.  The BCC focuses on small to mid-sized organizations that uniquely serve the City's arts ecosystem and prioritize cultural diversity, economic diversity, inclusion, and equity, through both their staffing and audiences served. Nonprofit cultural organizations whose missions or programming are focused on music, film and video, traditional and folk art, visual art, theater, dance, humanities, literary arts, performing arts, social/civic practice, and multidisciplinary arts are eligible to apply as long as they are based in the City of Boston, or offer programming in Boston. Last year, the City awarded a record-breaking $3.4 million to local arts and cultural organizations through Boston Cultural Council grants and Reopen Creative Boston, one-time funding allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that aimed to support the recovery of arts and culture organizations from the economic impact of COVID-19 and reopen their programming to the public. The deadline to apply for BCC grants is October 17, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. There will be drop-in virtual office hours every Wednesday from 11 a.m. - noon through October 12 for organizations interested in learning more about the application process. More information can be found at boston.gov/arts-grants.

Jeffrey Shapiro Appointed New Inspector General

 Jeffrey Shapiro Appointed New Inspector General

             

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey and Auditor Suzanne Bump today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Shapiro to serve as the next Inspector General. Shapiro is an attorney who currently serves as the Commonwealth’s First Deputy Comptroller and previously worked for the Middlesex County District Attorney and the Office of the Attorney General. Shapiro replaces former Inspector General Glenn Cunha, who served two five-year terms from 2012 until 2022.

 

“Jeffrey Shapiro brings a wide range of experience in legal matters, financial management and government accountability that will serve him well as Inspector General,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “He has spent his career dedicated to public service, and his experience will be a strong asset to the Commonwealth as he takes on this new role.”

 

“I want to congratulate and welcome Jeffrey Shapiro on his appointment as Inspector General,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “The Attorney General’s Office works closely with the Inspector General on important investigations and oversight actions, and I look forward to collaborating with Inspector General Shapiro and the hardworking staff of his office in the future.”

 

“Jeffrey Shapiro has proven himself to be a solid leader with deep experience in financial governance,” said Auditor Suzanne M. Bump.

 

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is an independent agency that prevents and detects fraud, waste and abuse of public funds and public property and promotes transparency and efficiency in government. The OIG serves the residents of Massachusetts, state and local governments, and those who work with the government. The Governor, Attorney General and State Auditor are statutorily charged with selecting, by majority vote, an Inspector General for a term of five years, which is renewable once. Learn more about the OIG at their website.

 

About Jeffrey Shapiro

Jeffrey Shapiro has served as the First Deputy Comptroller in the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth since March 2017, spanning the tenure of three Comptrollers. Shapiro also served as Acting Comptroller from October 2017 until December 2017 during a time when the position of Comptroller was vacant. The Office of the Comptroller is an independent state agency that oversees financial and payroll systems for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, focusing on risk management and transparency. As First Deputy Comptroller, Shapiro has led the Office’s work to protect the Commonwealth’s statewide financial and payroll systems, safeguard personally identifiable information, mitigate cybersecurity risks, and provide guidance to state agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed processes to expedite the disbursement of funds to support the purchasing of personal protective equipment and led the Office’s statewide effort to track federal pandemic-related funds. From August 2015 until March 2017, Shapiro served as Deputy Comptroller and Chief Operating Office for the Office of the Comptroller. In this capacity, he provided counsel and advice on daily operations, policy development, public communications and legal matters for the Office of the Comptroller.

 

Shapiro previously served as Chief Operating Officer in the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office, from June 2013 until August 2015. In this role, he managed the business operations for the Office, which is one of the largest district attorney’s offices in the country. From June 2012 until June 2013, he served as the Director of Resource Management in the Office of the Comptroller. Prior to that, he worked in the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office as the Director of Administration and Finance from January 2007 until June 2012. From December 1998 until January 2007, Shapiro worked in the Office of the Attorney General, holding several leadership positions including Chief of Staff and Senior Counselor to the Attorney General. Before working at the Office of the Attorney General, Shapiro was an Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office, and before that a legislative assistant for former U.S. Congressman Martin Meehan. Shapiro earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in February 1997 and his B.A. from Brandeis University in May 1989. He lives with his family in Needham.

波士頓市政府提醒民眾9月6日初選投票

CITY OF BOSTON SHARES REMINDERS AHEAD OF STATE PRIMARY

BOSTON - Friday, September 2, 2022 - The City of Boston Election Department is reminding residents that Tuesday, September 6, 2022 is the State Primary. Polls across the City open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m., including 20 new voting precincts created from the Boston Election Department’s Precinct Adjustment Plan. The new voting precincts will provide equity across voting populations in each precinct to reduce wait times and increase voter access. Due to these changes, the City of Boston is advising voters to check their polling locations here.  On the ballot: The State Primary will include candidates for the following offices: Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Governor's Council, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, and Sheriff. Voters may view a sample of their ballot here. On Election Day, printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish, English and Chinese, and English and Vietnamese. All voting locations are handicap accessible and are equipped with AutoMARK Voting Terminals for voters with visual or language disabilities.  Vote-by-mail The Election Department mailed out all 53,371 requested vote-by-mail and absentee ballots, and as of Friday, September 2, 26,724 ballots have been returned to the City and will be counted on Election Day. All vote-by-mail ballots must reach the Boston Election Department by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, September 6 in order to be counted. Vote by Mail ballots may be returned in one of  21 drop-box locations or in-person to Boston Election Dept., City Hall Room 241. Voters who have not received their requested mail-in ballot, must plan to vote in-person at their polling location on Election Day. Voters can track the status of requests for vote-by-mail ballots here. If there is no movement indicated in the “Track My Ballot” system, voters should plan to vote in-person. Early voting The City of Boston held a week of early voting with 19 polling locations across the City. As of Thursday, September 1, 3,645 votes were cast in-person.  Unofficial results After polls close at 8 p.m., the Election Department will receive and upload unofficial results of ballots counted at polling places to the city’s website as they are returned from each precinct. The initial results reported on the website will not include: (i) early voting and mail-in ballots from those specified precincts being centrally tabulated during the day at City Hall; or (ii) mail/absentee ballots that arrive on time on Election Day, but too late to be sent to polling locations to be counted. Mail or absentee ballots that arrive on time at the Election Department, but too late to be sent to polling locations will be counted at City Hall on Election Night, starting after the voting lists from each precinct are returned. Election officials can count a ballot only after it has been confirmed that the voter did not already vote in person at their polling location. Central Tabulation Precincts with a large number of Early Voting ballots will be processed and counted at City Hall’s central tabulation facility. Like all polling places, the central tabulation facility, which will be located in the Iannella Chamber, is open to public observers. The Election Department will provide public notice of the precincts with early in-person and mail ballots being tabulated at the central tabulation facility.   Because poll workers need time to tally election results and transport materials from polling places to City Hall, counting of ballots submitted on time to the Election Department, but too late to be sent to the polls, may not begin until after 10:00 p.m. These ballots will be tallied by precinct and results will be updated on the city’s website periodically, as precincts are completed.  Media guidelines Members of the media are reminded that certain rules must be followed in order to ensure a smooth voting process for voters: For b-roll on Election Day, the City advises visiting BCYF Roche Community Center, Lilla Frederick Pilot Middle School or Margarita Muniz Academy. Access can begin at 7a.m. The City of Boston Election Department will also be available for b-roll shots starting at 7:30 a.m.  Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be done at least 150 feet away. Interviews with election staff and poll workers at the polling locations are not allowed.  Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each polling location's warden. Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and over-the-shoulder shots will not be allowed. Please respect every voter's right to a private ballot. Unofficial results will be posted online at http://www.boston.gov after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Updates will be provided periodically via the Facebook and Twitter account @BostonElections.  For more information about the State Primary, please visit boston.gov/elections or contact the Boston Election Department at 617-635-8683 or Election@boston.gov.

State Health Officials Announce Second Human Case of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

 State Health Officials Announce Second Human Case of

West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

 

Residents urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites

 

BOSTON (September 2, 2022) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the second human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state this year. The individual is a male in his 70s who was exposed to the virus in Suffolk County in an area already known to be at moderate risk. The risk of human infection with WNV is moderate to high in the Greater Boston area.

 

As a result of this new finding, the risk level for Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville is being raised from moderate to high.

 

In 2021, there were 11 human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur. No human or animal cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been detected so far this year in Massachusetts.

 

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

 

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3, 8-diol (PMD)], or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

 

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

 

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

 

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to DPH by calling 617-983-6800.

 

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.

藥華藥躍升台灣股王 執行長林國鐘將偕同前中油董事長林聖忠訪波士頓

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 台灣生技股王公司” 藥華藥” 創辦人林國鐘和曾任經濟部次長，中油董事長的林聖忠，將於9月10日下午，應新英格蘭台灣商會等四機構邀請，在哈佛大學科學中心為「台灣科技暨生技產業論壇」主講。

              新英格蘭台灣商會和紐英崙玉山科技協會 (MJNE)、紐英崙中華專業人員協會 (NEACP)，以及波士頓台灣人生物科技協會 (BTBA)合辦這場論壇。

              關心台灣股市的人都知道，自從新冠病毒疫情席捲全球後，世界各地股市低迷，但生技股’在台灣卻逆勢大漲，尤其是藥華藥在真性紅血球增生症新藥P1101 (百斯瑞明) 獲得美國、歐盟、台灣、瑞士、以色列、韓國的FDA等藥品監管機關批准使用，該公司7月合併營收年增率超過623%，股價在8月5日前後，一度衝破600元，比台積電還神氣，公司市值也陡增107.11億元，達到1,679.7億元。

              當年在駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦公室商務組任職，後因緣際會成為藥華藥投資人之一，現為專利律師的鄧之欣在新英格蘭台商會臉書上留言指出，她從1999年以來，親眼目睹藥華藥在發展過程中的起起落落，非常欽佩林國鐘，詹青柳等人的堅持不懈，超強的專業能力，也為台灣人開辦企業回台發展，再成功踏進全球市場，豎立了經典模範，希望將來有更多藥華藥，能為台灣企業在世界各地開疆闢地。

              這場講座的兩名主講人，林聖忠，林國鐘，都是大波士頓人舊識，許多他們的當年老友，在波士頓依然活躍。

              林聖忠是1994年前後，在波士頓經文處擔任商務組組長，期間協助社區人士創辦了新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會。返台述職後，他歷任經濟部次長，中油董事長，目前仍為工商協進會顧問。

              林聖忠預定在這場論壇中分享他的觀察與分析，申論台灣科技和生技產業在目前的中美對抗局面中，面臨哪些挑戰，台美關係可能出現什麼變化，身在美國的台灣學子，從業人員及公司行號有哪些因應之策。

              林國鐘獲有60多項藥物專利，當年曾任孟山都 (Monsanto-Searle)集團總部科技創新中心的新藥研發部首席科學家，波士頓百奧健 (Biogen)新藥研發部組長及計畫主持人，2000年響應台灣兩兆雙星產業政策，成為第一批返台帶領國家重大計畫的歸國學人，2003年正式創辦「藥華藥」。去年藥華藥的蛋白質新藥GMP製造廠成為台灣首家取得歐洲藥物管理局 (EMA)、美國FDA等國GMP證書的新藥製造廠，致力PV等血液腫瘤疾病新藥的研發及產銷，為台灣在國際生技產業中發光發亮。

              林國鐘預定在論壇中，以「在台灣建立一個全球性全方位營運生技新藥公司 (A journey to build a fully integrated global biopharmaceutical company in Taiwan) 」為題，發表演說。

              這場論壇入場免費，報名可上網https://www.eventbrite.com/e/408422622057。 (訂正錯字，真性紅血球)

Governor Baker Nominates Elizabeth R. Cerdá as Clerk Magistrate of the Waltham District Court, Alex J. Valderrama as Clerk Magistrate of the Eastern Division of the Housing Court and Diana S. Velez Harris as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court

 Governor Baker Nominates Elizabeth R. Cerdá as Clerk Magistrate of the Waltham District Court, Alex J. Valderrama as Clerk Magistrate of the Eastern Division of the Housing Court and Diana S. Velez Harris as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court

 

BOSTON – This week, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Elizabeth R. Cerdá as Clerk Magistrate of the Waltham District Court, Alex J. Valderrama as Clerk Magistrate of the Eastern Division of the Housing Court and Diana S. Velez Harris as Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court.

 

“With the nominations of Attorney Elizabeth R. Cerdá and Alex J. Valderrama, Waltham District Court and the Eastern Housing Court will both gain well-qualified candidates for the position of Clerk Magistrate,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Furthermore, Attorney Diana S. Velez Harris’s many years of experience will be of great benefit to the Probate and Family Court. We proudly submit these nominations for consideration.”

 

“Mr. Valderrama’s significant experience at the Eastern Housing Court make him well-suited to serve as its Clerk Magistrate, just as Attorney Cerdá’s time at the Executive Office of the Trial Court and the Administrative Office of the District Court qualify her for Clerk Magistrate of the Waltham District Court,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Additionally, the Probate Court and Family Court will benefit from Attorney Velez Harris’ years of experience in family law.”

 

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.

 

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.

 

The Housing Court Department is a statewide court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal actions, including equitable relief, which involve the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or owners of residential housing. The Court hears summary process (eviction) cases, small claims cases, and civil actions involving personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, discrimination, and other claims. The Housing Court also hears code enforcement actions and appeals of local zoning board decisions that affect residential housing. The Housing Court has 15 judges authorized to serve its 6 divisions – Central, Eastern, Northeast, Southeast, Western, and Metro South – and conducts sessions in over 20 locations every week.

 

For more information about the Housing Court, please visit their homepage.

 

The Probate and Family Court Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name. The Probate and Family Court has 51 judges, including Chief Justice John D. Casey.

 

For more information on the Probate and Family Court, please visit their homepage.

 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth’s diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

 

About Elizabeth R. Cerdá

 

Elizabeth R. Cerdá began her legal career in 1998 as a law clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts before joining LeBoeuf, Lamb, Green and MacRae L.L.P. in 1999 as a corporate associate. Attorney Cerdá moved to the Executive Office of the Trial Court in 2007, where she worked as coordinator of intergovernmental relations until 2014. Attorney Cerdá then served in the Administrative Office of the District Court as special projects coordinator. Attorney Cerdá returned to the Executive Office of the Trial Court in 2019 where she currently works as senior manager for access to justice. Attorney Cerdá, who is bilingual in Spanish and English, is a certified Spanish interpreter and translator, and prior to her legal career, worked as an English as a second language professor at the Brookline Center for Adult Education. Attorney Cerdá has also served her community as a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, as well as a parent volunteer at Armenian Sisters Academy and Boston College High School. She received her bachelor's degree from the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares in Madrid in 1994, and her juris doctor from Suffolk University School of Law in 1998. Attorney Cerdá also received certification in business administration for lawyers from Boston University School of Management in 2006.

 

About Alex J. Valderrama

 

Alex J. Valderrama has been involved with housing matters in the Commonwealth since he began work as property manager for the Boston Housing Authority in 1995, a position he held until 1999 when he joined the Boston Housing Court as a housing specialist. Valderrama was promoted to assistant chief housing specialist in 2005 and remained with the Boston Housing Court in that capacity until 2018. Since 2018, Valderrama has served as the Eastern Housing Court’s chief housing specialist. Throughout his career, Valderrama has maintained an active participation in the Greater Boston housing community, including serving as a guest and panelist for organizations and institutions such as, Boston University Law School, Gen-Unity at Harvard University, the Chelsea Collaborative, the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. Mr. Valderrama received his bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1988.

 

Diana S. Velez Harris

 

Attorney Diana S. Velez Harris has focused her legal career on probate and family law since her first job as an associate at Cooley, Shrair P.C. in 2006, where she concentrated on divorce and family law, civil litigation, personal injury and special education law. Attorney Velez Harris also taught several courses at Holyoke Community College and Elms College that focused on family law, mediation, and special education. In 2011, Attorney Velez Harris became a shareholder at Marien & Hodge, P.C. where she continued to focus on divorce and family law, as well as special education matters. She then brought her experience to Johnson, Sclafani, and Moriarty, where she joined as a shareholder in 2017 and remains presently. Outside of the law, from 2009 to 2017, Attorney Velez Harris served on the Board of Directors for Gray House, an organization that provides civic, social, and educational support to individuals in the Greater Springfield area. Attorney Velez Harris received her bachelor’s degree in 1999 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and her juris doctor from New England Law School in 2002.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES SEARCH FOR KEY STREETS CABINET LEADERSHIP ROLES

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES SEARCH FOR KEY STREETS CABINET LEADERSHIP ROLES

 

The City has launched the search for Deputy Chief for Infrastructure and Design, and Deputy Chief for Transportation; New leadership team will be tasked with delivering on transformational budget and implementing programs for safety and sustainability

 

BOSTON - Thursday, September 1, 2022 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge announced the search for two new, pivotal transportation leadership roles: the Deputy Chief of Streets for Infrastructure and Design, and the Deputy Chief of Streets for Transportation. These leaders will report directly to Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge as part of the Streets Cabinet’s senior leadership team. They will deliver on the Mayor’s vision for a City where people can move safely, reliably, and efficiently by transit, on foot, or by bike, and to support the Boston Green New Deal by accelerating the shift towards low-carbon transportation.   The new leadership team will be charged with delivering on the promise of a Streets Cabinet budget that will enable greater scale, scope, and urgency to build streets that work for all modes of travel. In addition to the new roles, the Streets Cabinet is launching a major hiring push. The FY23 budget includes 46 new positions throughout the Boston Transportation Department and Public Works.    The leadership team and expanded Cabinet will oversee a nearly doubled investment in dedicated bus lanes, a 45 percent increase in funding for the strategic bike network, and increased investments in safe streets, bikeshare, multimodal corridor projects, street-lighting, and accessibility.    “Boston must lead the way for sustainable, safe, and innovative transportation to connect our communities, and I’m so excited to build our team and embark on this important work,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Now more than ever our transportation system and streets infrastructure are foundational to how our City functions, and I can’t wait to fill these roles for safe streets, smart design, and continued progress toward a Boston Green New Deal.”   “The Mayor’s far-reaching vision represents a historic opportunity to make Boston the best city in the nation for walking, biking and transit as we bring the Green New Deal to life on our streets and address longstanding inequities,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. “We will need a committed and visionary leadership team to make it happen. I am excited to announce the search for these critically important leadership roles and look forward to working alongside them and the dedicated employees of the Public Works Department and Boston Transportation Department to carry out this vital work.”    The Deputy Chief for Infrastructure and Design will oversee all City of Boston’s streets, sidewalks, and bridges projects from conception to implementation including community process, design, construction, and evaluation.    The Deputy Chief for Transportation will be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Boston Transportation Department, including oversight of traffic management, parking enforcement, permitting, signals, and signage. They will also serve as Commissioner of the Boston Transportation Department. They will work with leadership across the Streets Cabinet to build alignment around a shared mission of operating a safe, equitable, multimodal transportation system, transforming our streets to reduce our overreliance on single-occupancy vehicles.   "The Deputy Chief for Transportation and Deputy Chief for Infrastructure & Design will be crucial for the future of Boston's streets and transportation across our city,” said Brad Gerratt, Interim Commissioner of Transportation, who is retiring in the fall. “Filling these positions and growing our workforce will expand our current staff's ability to make Boston safer, greener and more multimodal. It is an honor to work with the incredible people at the Boston Transportation Department.”   As the search for these key leaders commences, the Streets Cabinet will also begin a major hiring push to fill critical staff positions across the cabinet. Open positions include planning roles in active transportation, public transit, neighborhood planning, and new mobility. The Streets Cabinet is also hiring key engineering roles: Senior Civil Engineer, Assistant Civil Engineer, and Bridge Construction Engineer. Additionally, the city will fill three small scale safety positions to ensure rapid response to pedestrian safety concerns: Junior Civil Engineer, Vision Zero/Small Scale Safety Planner, and Assistant Traffic Engineer.    At this pivotal transitional moment, the Streets Cabinet will also undertake discussions around structure of the cabinet, finding ways to ensure current and future staff are positioned to deliver on the vision of safe, sustainable streets that work for everyone.   "Every day, the hardworking men and women of the City of Boston Public Works Department make sure Bostonians get the world-class city services they deserve,” said Mike Brohel, Superintendent of Street Operations. “As the Streets Cabinet grows our leadership team, we will keep prioritizing safe, clean streets that work for everyone.”   “This expansion of the Streets team will accelerate the realization of community-driven visions for our streets and reduce timelines to implement planning initiatives and street designs,” added Vineet Gupta, Director of Policy and Planning. “We will continue to work with neighborhood and advocacy groups to achieve our goals of encouraging transit and biking to reduce emissions.”    More information on job openings within the Streets Cabinet, including links to apply, can be found here.

中華表演藝術基金會傅聰國際協奏曲比賽 倪楠奪冠

倪楠贏得傅聰國際協奏曲比賽冠軍，粉絲送給她一幅玫瑰花畫。
(周菊子攝)

                       (Boston Orange)中華表演藝術基金會今年的傅聰國際協奏曲比賽，在8月20日半決賽，8月21日5人決賽後，由來自中國的倪楠奪得冠軍，獲獎5000美元，並應邀於8月27日在新英格蘭喬丹廳和水星交響樂團合作演出。

            今年的這場比賽，參賽者水準都很高。評審們商議後，美國的Sahun Sam Hong和台灣的陳涵同獲第二名，各得獎金1250元，並將應邀在2023年的夏季系列音樂會中演出，第三名則從缺。

            五名評審分別為新英格蘭音樂學院教授 Bruce Brubaker、Hae Sun Paik， Carnegie Mellon 教授Sergey Schepkin，水星交響樂團指揮余建寧 (Channing Yu) ，以及已退休的波士頓環球報（Boston Globe) 資深樂評，曾任范克萊本,克里夫蘭,仙台（Sendai) 等國際大賽評委的Richard Dyer, Dyer。

中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵 (右)請倪楠在節目冊上簽名留作紀念。 (周菊子攝)

             今年的傅聰國際協奏曲比賽，參賽者全為35歲以下，分別來自加拿大、中國、紐西蘭、新加坡，台灣，以及美國的樂壇新人，共有10人打入半決賽，其中1人因為簽證問題，未能感到麻州參加半決賽。

                這10人分別為20歲，來自美國的Lucas Amory；30歲，來自台灣的陳涵；22歲，來自中國的程柏淵；26歲來自台灣的葛柏緯；27歲，來自美國的Sahun Sam Hong；23歲，來自中國的倪楠；20歲，來自中國的石以德；25歲，來自中國的王鴻禎；34歲，來自中國的許辰陽；17歲，來自加拿大的張霖鍇。

中華表演藝術基金會在新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳 (Jordan Hall)的第34季 (2022-2023)音樂系列，將從10月1日的莊雅斐鋼琴演奏拉開序幕，後續有11月12日的郭雅志嗩吶，2月4日的Kate Lu及劉珒鋼琴，5月6日的吳蠻琵琶，黃心芸中提琴演出。

查詢可上中華表演基金會官網http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/home/index.php。