昭倫公所慶姜太公生日 族裔表親越來越多

紐英崙昭倫公所十五日下午四點半，在泰勒街會址上香祭祖，讀家訓，慶祝姜太公3226歲生日。

            昭倫公所總務謝中之先宣讀「姜太公在此，諸鬼神退位，百事無禁忌，萬物必大吉，興旺我昭倫，庇佑眾子孫。」的祝語做儀式開場白，再請公所內最年長的譚榮熾上香，共同主席譚達兒謝如鍵先後致詞，恭賀姜太公3226歲生日。

            昭倫公所的阮姓親義兄弟，阮鴻燦、阮偉昌應邀宣讀「談譚許謝，四姓同源，親若一家，互相扶持。」的昭倫家訓，。

            由於當天不是週末，許多宗親在六點多，下班後，才趕到公所分享慶生燒豬，與宗親們敘舊。

            紐英崙昭倫公所近年研究姓氏淵源，發現越來越多的其他姓氏，都與談譚許謝四姓有淵源，包括早已知道，也屬姜氏一族的邱姓，以及有如表親的余姓。

            謝中之指出，在廣東四邑一帶的余、馬、謝三姓，是當年黃帝賜封的永遠表親。這一封賜源起於早年一名余家人娶了謝家女兒，但由於這名女兒在謝家發現一塊風水地，遺言要留給自己，於是她每次生病都回到謝姓娘家休養，病癒才回余姓夫家，如此直至她在謝家病逝，並葬在她自己選的風水寶地裏。她丈夫過世後，也葬在那兒，余家竟從此發跡，子孫興旺，朝廷關注，皇帝還賜封謝女，並因謝女婆婆姓馬，把余馬謝三姓封為永世表親。

            此後余氏每年祭祖，都會到謝家拜祭，余家墳墓也幾百年來都由謝家維護。大埠謝氏春宴時，也必定留兩席給謝姓，馬姓宗親。

15日的姜太公慶生會，邱氏宗親會的邱善良，余氏宗親會的余麗媖，以及姜太公本姓的律師姜家，都出席了慶祝會。

謝中之表示，由於波士頓並沒有謝姓，馬姓宗親會，無法遵循大埠作法，紐英崙昭倫公所在姜太公慶生會上，邀請余，謝，馬三姓宗親出席，也算了聊以彌補。

圖片說明：

前排左起，譚逹兒，謝如鍵，謝中之。後排站者左起，邱善良，謝子立，謝寶生，譚健，余麗瑛，譚榮熾，謝振業，謝耀松，譚栢林夫人，阮鴻燦，許掦威，姜家，謝庭熾，謝國年，阮偉昌，等人為姜太公慶生。（圖由昭倫公所提供）

台學聯迎新燒烤 臉孔更年輕

新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會（FTSANE）上週末（9月12日）在水城兵工廠公園（Arsenal Park）迎新燒烤慶中秋，一百五十多人歡聚一堂，以逼人青春氣息，迎接新學年。

台學聯今年的會長方品，還在薩福克(Suffolk)大學本科部就讀大二。去年已加入學聯幹部團隊，深覺為同學服務，帶給自己許多快樂，今年進一步當會長，要做更多貢獻。12日這天，他不但和團隊先花了許多時間策劃節目，還管燒烤爐，加碳，添火，樣樣親力親為。

方品和台學聯幹部們今年的貼心安排是讓參加活動同學可以邊吃邊玩，不必怕為了玩遊戲，餓著。負責燒烤的同學，分頭把牛豬雞肉，以及玉米，香菇，小洋芋，棉花糖送上烤爐。從波士頓大學，麻省理工學院，東北大學，Hult學院，薩福克大學，波士頓學院，布蘭岱斯大學，巴布森學院，麻州大學，以及其他學校陸續抵達的同學，三三兩兩聊天，玩遊戲。

他們設計了兩個活動，一項是簽名賓果，每名參加者都獲發一張紙，要完成紙上格子內的選項，才能打勾，連成3條線，才可抽獎，第二項遊戲，因為時間不夠，結果沒能玩，遊戲獎品直接發給了參與度最高的幾名同學。

在方品號召下，今年的台學聯幹部，平均年齡再向下調，互相邀約參加活動的同學，也以還在大學本科就讀者為主。水城兵工廠公園裏，12日那天因此青春逼人，連多年來一直照顧留學生的塔芙茨大學教授張重華，都因沾染了同學們青青子衿味道，舉手投足都青春起來。

經文處教育組組長黃薳玉，秘書黃瑋婷，這天不但出席與同學們交流同樂，還帶了禮物到場助興。黃薳玉在預祝同學們中秋快樂，新學年一切順心如意之餘，也提醒學子們，出門在外，安全第一，同學們要彼此互相關照，記得和家人保持聯絡，也要充分利用在美進修時間，廣交朋友，深入認識美國文化，擴大見聞。

台學聯今年的幹部包括會長方品，秘書詹乃蒨，總務賴伊柔，公關林益民，方曦平，網管鄭百涵，副會長曲韻婷，設計陳家瑜，活動邱惟弘，黃妍瑗，宣傳傅薇等人。台學聯前任會長李慧真，波士頓大學同學會會長鍾予閎，當天都助陣親自出席。

            台學聯的各大學院校同學會會長將於9月19日在薩福克大學舉行聯席會議。哈佛大學的台灣同學會則定9月20日（週日）下午三點半至五點半，在查理士河畔，自行舉辦迎新野餐會。

圖片說明：

            台學聯迎新燒烤大合照。（菊子攝）

            左起，方品，詹乃蒨，經文處教育組黃薳玉組長，張重華教授，賴伊柔，林益民，方曦平，鄭百涵，曲韻婷，陳家瑜，邱惟弘，黃妍瑗，傅薇等台學聯幹部合影。（菊子攝）

            台學聯會長方品（右一）親自掌爐燒烤。（菊子攝）

前任會長李慧真（左）雖然卸任，仍全力支持新任會長方品（右）辦活動。（圖由台學聯提供）

            台學聯參加迎新燒烤的同學擠滿會場。（圖由台學聯提供）

波士頓經文處和麻州商務署合辦講座 鼓吹到台灣做生意

經文處經濟組組長石大玲（左）和經文處處長賴銘琪（右）邀請麻州企業發展助理卿
范文南（Nam Pham，中）做主講嘉賓。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處（TECO）和麻州國際貿易投資辦公室（MOITI）合作，昨（16）日以一場座談，鼓吹麻州商家“在台灣做生意”。

            麻州企業發展助理卿范文南（Nam Pham），駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，經文處經濟組組長石大玲，先後致詞，並做主題發言，闡述美國，麻州和台灣之間經貿關係之緊密與重要。

經文處經濟組組長石大玲以“台灣在哪裏？”，做開場介紹。（周菊子攝）

            麻州國際貿易投資辦公室企業發展經理韓特（Hunter M. Richard）主持的座談，邀得E Ink公司財務長Dean LaMonthe，高品（Kopin）公司執行副董事長暨總經理曹伯禹，Avid科技公司資深貿易法規經理Karen Hilliker等人分享他們各自的公司選擇到台灣拓展企業機會的原因。

E Ink公司財務長Dean LaMonthe（又起），高品（Kopin）公司執行副董事長暨總經理

曹伯禹，Avid科技公司資深貿易法規經理Karen Hilliker分享各自公司和台灣做生意的原

因。（周菊子攝）

            范文南透露，廿多年前，他曾跟隨當年的麻州州長保羅瑟祿奇（Paul Cellucci）訪問過台灣，從此台灣佔據了他的心中一角。他表示，雙邊貿易往往不只是買賣貨物，更是價值觀交流。台灣和美國之間所有的相同價值觀和做事方法，連他來自的越南都比不上。

            范文南還強調，麻州是生物科技重鎮，最近才歡迎了約二家台灣的生物科技公司，在麻州設辦公室。不過做生意講究資源，他上任後曾反應有心從商的小企業主資源不足，需要政府幫助。如今他很高興能宣布，聯邦政府推出的STEP項目，預定十月可以撥款到麻州，供有需要的小企業申請。州政府的網站屆時將更新資料。

            賴銘琪表示，台灣雖然小，面積和麻州及羅德島州加起來差不多，但在世界經濟地位上，排名第22，GDP成長率達3.4％，貿易成績極佳，在美國貿易夥伴中排名第十，額度達到674意美元，比印度，俄國都高，在麻州出口市場中排名第七，全因為台灣在許多方面具有優勢。他指出，昨日是經文處第四次舉辦“台美商業俱樂部”座談會議，今後將繼續針對企業界需求策劃活動。

            石大玲說明台灣位於亞洲中心地位，在4、5個小時的飛機行程內，幾乎可抵達每一個亞州重要城市。今年以來，全世界的經濟成長約在3.5%到2.8%之間，台灣就已達到1.56%。2014年失業率3.98%，主要產業包括電子，製造及服務。

            石大玲為與會者印發了一份和台灣做生意的支援工具，包括許多服務、投資機構網站，台灣創新快製媒合中心，全球研發創新夥伴計畫等資料。

            在廠商座談部分，Avid科技公司今年六，七月時，才在台灣新設了辦公室。高品公司和台灣的晶圓廠合作，產製微型螢幕，其中一款供谷歌眼鏡式使用的產品，才在商品展示會中展出。E Ink是2009年被台灣收購的軟體公司。

            石大玲表示，經文處經濟組的工作就是要協助廠商，拓展企業機會。歡迎有需要者隨時和該辦公室聯絡。

CITY OF BOSTON CELEBRATES NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

CITY OF BOSTON CELEBRATES NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

BOSTON – Thursday, September 17, 2015 – The City of Boston today announced a series of events celebrating September as National Recovery Month. National Recovery Month was proclaimed by President Barack Obama and highlights that every day, resilient Americans with substance use disorders summon extraordinary courage and strength and commit to living healthy and productive lives through recovery. 

“Now is a time to reclaim our homes, workplaces and streets - addiction has caused far too much destruction in our community," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Recovery is about courage, strength and determination. Substance abuse requires a comprehensive approach that includes a strong support system, intervention, and quality treatment. We're focusing on transforming this addiction into something positive, a wellspring of resilience and strength. During this time, I ask that the people of Boston spread encouragement to anyone they might know facing such a challenge."

Understanding the unique needs that those in recovery face, Mayor Walsh announced the launch of the Office of Recovery Services in May. The Office, which is under the oversight of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), is working to improve existing addiction and recovery services, advocate for treatment options and help those fighting addiction navigate the City’s available resources in order to create a continuum of high quality treatment and recovery services.

A major part of National Recovery Month will be the 10^th Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day (“Take-Back Day”) to be held on Saturday, September 26 from 10AM to 2PM at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Take-Back Day is a national initiative aimed at encouraging the public to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs that are prone to abuse and theft. During this time, residents can drop unwanted prescription drugs at sites sponsored by local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. At BMC, bins will be placed in the Menino Pavilion valet drop off area, and BMC staff will be on hand to provide assistance and to answer questions. The public may drive up to drop-off without leaving their vehicle or walk-up for disposal.

The event is held in partnership with the DEA, the Boston Police Department (BPD), BPHC, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites—liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted. For a list of additional Take-Back Day sites in your area, please click here. Please note, media will not be allowed to attend the event at BMC.

Attorney General Maura Healey is a national partner in the annual Take-Back Day, and has taken a number of legislative and enforcement actions to address this vital public safety and public health crisis from all angles.

“National Recovery Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction,” said Attorney General Healey. “As part of that work, we also need to educate young people and their parents about the dangers associated with the storage of unused prescription medications in their homes. Prescription painkillers are very powerful, and many people don’t know the risks of addiction and overdose. Our office encourages people to clean out their medicine cabinets and use safe disposal boxes at nearby designated locations. We are committed to working closely with our partners in this effort to tackle the heroin and prescription drug epidemic in Massachusetts and provide the tools and resources needed to protect families and save lives.”

“The collaboration taking place during Recovery Month between the city, state and health care organizations like BMC is an example of how we can collectively make an impact on the opioid addiction crisis,” said Colleen LaBelle, RN, director of BMC's office based addiction treatment program. “Addiction is a chronic disease that impacts not only individuals but their family and friends, and we will continue to work together to treat and support those impacted by the disease.”

Year round, Boston residents can dispose of unused or expired medication safely, easily, confidentially and for free in a MedReturn Drug Collection Kiosk at 11 Boston Police Department stations. The kiosks are open to all residents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week -- no questions asked. This permanent disposal system is a collaboration between BPHC, BPD and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. For full information, including a map of disposal locations, please click here. 

In September 2014, across the nation Americans turned in over 617,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. When those results are combined with what was collected in its eight previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 4.8 million pounds of unused medication. 

Other events during National Recovery Month include:

·         The Gavin Foundation Recovery Month Celebration: Friday, September 18. Doors open at 6:30PM. The event is free and open to both the public and members of the media. The event will honor local activists and elected officials, and will also have Doug Bell and Bellevue Cadillac in concert. Resource tables will have representatives from area recovery groups and organizations. http://www.gavinfoundation.org/news/recovery-month-2015

IBEW Hall, 256 Freeport Street, Dorchester

·         Allston-Brighton 12^th Annual Walk for Recovery: Saturday, September 19. Registration begins at9:00AM, walk begins at 10:00AM. The walk will start from Artesani/Herter Park in Brighton, and include recovery speakers, a DJ, free t-shirts and an opportunity to meet with elected officials.http://abdrugfree.org/pdf/ABSATF_WalkforRecovery_Flyer_2015_v5.pdf

Artesani/Herter Park, 1175 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton

·         MOAR 25^th Annual Recovery Day Celebration: Monday, September 21. The Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) will host a walk from City Hall to the State House, followed by a day of celebration at the State House. The walk will begin at 9:00AM, State House events will begin at 10AM.http://www.moar-recovery.org/#!recovery-month/cqns

City Hall to the Massachusetts State House

·         Family Recovery Day: Friday, September 25. In honor of Recovery Month, BPHC’s peer-led Safe and Sound Recovery Center is holding a special Family Recovery Day event, promoting the important connections between healthy family relationships and long-term recovery. Come join us for food, games and crafts, as well as special recovery-oriented activities. The event will run  9:00AM to 3:00PM.

774 Albany Street, South End

·         Charlestown 7^th Annual Candlelight Vigil: The Vigil, beginning at 6:30PM, will remember those who lost their battle with drugs and alcohol and give hope to those still struggling with addiction. The Vigil will also support individuals and families involved with addiction or recovery so they understand they are part of a larger community, and that they are not alone in their struggle.

Hayes Square, Bunker Hill and Vine streets, Charlestown

·         Devin Recovery Center Cookout & Vigil: The event, beginning at 2:00PM, will celebrate recovery and will include recovery speakers, outdoor games, a raffle and music. https://www.facebook.com/DevineRecoveryCenter

70 Devine Way, South Boston

·         Transformation Center’s 5kFlight: Peer Run/Walk for Mental Wellness: Sunday, September 27. The 5k will begin in Jamaica Plain and promotes exercise as a tool in recovering and sustaining mental wellness. Registration and packet pick-up will being at 9:30AM. Inspirational Speeches will begin at 10:45AM and the race/walk will start at 11:00AM. Registration is available online and by mail, and includes: Entry, T-Shirt for the first 250 registrants, snacks & finisher medal. http://transformation-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/5K-Flyer-2015-Long-Version-Regis-FINAL.pdf

Jamaica Pond Boathouse, 507 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain

·         South Boston Candlelight Vigil: Sunday, September 27. A candlelight vigil will be held at 6:30PM, hosted by the South Boston Hope and Recovery Coalition.

Farragut Park, Farragut Road, South Boston

·         Body, Mind, Spirit Awareness Day at STEPRox Recovery Center: Monday, September 28. The free indoor and outdoor event will include free presentations and information sessions on addiction, recovery and addiction-related illnesses. The event will last from 11:00AM – 5:30PM. https://www.facebook.com/StepRoxRecoverySupportCenter

STEPRox Recovery Center, 9 Palmer Street, Roxbury

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL STEPS TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM WAGE THEFT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL STEPS TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM WAGE THEFT

New Protections Expand on Mayor's Wage Theft Executive Order

BOSTON - Thursday, September 17, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced additional protections for workers employed by businesses that have been issued a food and/or liquor license.  Building on the Wage Theft Executive Order the Mayor signed in October 2014, the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development has worked closely with the Boston Licensing Board and beginning this week, all new and renewing food or liquor licensees will be required to complete a CM Form 16, which licensees must sign, under the penalties of perjury, that they will comply of said order.  "It's illegal to deny fairly earned wages, and we must do more to protect our workers from this practice," said Mayor Walsh. "By working with the Licensing Board, we are creating another tool to hold employers accountable and empower workers." Instances of wage theft among licensees will be reported to the Office of Workforce Development and referred to the Boston Licensing Board. The Boston Licensing Board will determine if the complaint warrants a hearing and any disciplinary action. "We are thrilled that Mayor Walsh is taking bold action to ensure workers are guaranteed an honest day's pay for an honest day's work," said Darlene Lombos, Executive Director of Community Labor United. "We join him in sending a message to those unscrupulous employers who cheat workers that they can no longer undercut responsible businesses that play by the rules." On October 23, 2014, Mayor Walsh signed an executive order establishing disclosure and payroll certification requirements for vendors contracting business with the City of Boston. The purpose of this directive was to combat wage theft, the unlawful nonpayment of wages in accordance with state and federal wage and hour laws. The executive order also provides that those vendors with prior violations may be required to post a wage bond in the amount equal to the sum of one year's gross wages for all employees. The executive order became effective on January 1, 2015. In recent years, wage theft has had an increasingly detrimental impact on local, state, and national economies. The results of recent wage theft investigations have been alarming: A 2009 investigation into NYC, Chicago, and Los Angeles found that two-thirds of low-wage workers in those cities experienced a wage violation in any given week. Wage violations cost workers in more than $56.4 million weekly (or almost $3 billion annually) in those three cities alone.   In 2012, the U.S Department of Labor found that 34 Boston-area restaurants owed nearly $1.3 million in back pay to almost 500 employees.   A study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute found that in 2012 only $1 billion was recovered for wage theft violations. (This number includes state and federal administrative actions and private civil litigation).   The MA Attorney General's office has resolved several cases in recent months alleging $100,000+ in wage violations.

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOSTON, MA – September 16, 2015 - Today, the Boston Public Library Foundation (the “Library Foundation"), a non-profit affiliate of the Boston Public Library (“BPL”), announced that Lisa Bevilaqua, former Director of Development atthe Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, will serve as the new Executive Director of the Library Foundation. The Library Foundation’s mission is to be an advocate, and to raise public awareness and philanthropic support for the operations and capital projects of the BPL’s Central Library and 24 branches.

“I am pleased that Lisa has agreed to take on this important role supporting the Boston Public Library and its top notch programming and services for the public to enjoy," said Mayor Walsh. 

“I am looking forward to working closely with the Library Foundation’s Board of Directors, the BPL's Trustees and staff, and other library affiliates, in expanding public awareness and private support for all that the library is doing, and can do, for our urban communities,” said Bevilaqua. “In partnership with Mayor Walsh, who has made the health and vibrancy of the BPL a priority, the Library Foundation will look to attract the kind of philanthropic and civic leadership that led to the founding of the BPL over a century and a half ago.”

“Lisa’s dynamic understanding of development strategies, ranging from events to major gifts to government fundraising, will be incredibly useful to the Library Foundation as it works to expand its support of the BPL,” said Jeff Hawkins, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Library Foundation.

“The Library Foundation is an important ally in the work we’re doing at the BPL to provide access to learning in Boston,” said John Hailer, Interim Chair of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees. “Congratulations to the Library Foundation board for identifying Lisa as the next Executive Director. I look forward to a close working relationship.”

“The Boston Public Library can only fulfill its mission of “Free to All” with strong support from the broader community,” said David Leonard, Interim President of the Boston Public Library. “The Library Foundation currently supports programs such as Summer Reading and the Lowell Lecture series, and has the potential to be a significant resource for the BPL. I look forward to collaborating with Lisa in the months ahead on new programs, campaigns, and outreach.”

Bevilaqua is a seasoned non-profit executive with 18 years of experience.  Most recently she served as the Director of Development at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and was instrumental in the successful completion of the museum’s $180 million capital campaign that led to inspiring new programming spaces, a state-of-the-art conservation center and significant endowment growth.  

As part of her 12 year tenure at the Gardner, Bevilaqua successfully served in two prior positions, first as Director of Institutional Support, and then as Deputy Director of Development.  In addition to working on the capital campaign, other highlights of her accomplishments include increasing annual and event support, and stewarding and engaging the governing Board and volunteers through special initiatives and program committees. Bevilaqua was also a member of the Gardner’s leadership team, working closely with the museum’s Director and Board on institutional and strategic planning during a time of transition and transformation.

Prior to the Gardner, Bevilaqua held senior management positions at the New England Aquarium and Boston Medical Center, and her development and non-profit career began at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  

Bevilaqua earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies, English from Boston University, and a Masters in non-profit management from the Heller School at Brandeis University. Bevilaqua is from Boston’s North End, and currently resides in Jamaica Plain.

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

The Boston Public Library Foundation acts as a partner and ambassador for the Boston Public Library and encourages philanthropy at all levels to help the library achieve its goals. In recent years, the Boston Public Library Foundation secured support for academic and enrichment programs for children, teens and lifelong learners, including summer reading, after school programs, science programs, and an adult lecture series. To learn more, visithttp://www.bplf.com.

MAYOR WALSH JOINS COMPACT OF MAYORS COMMITTED TO CLIMATE ACTION

MAYOR WALSH JOINS COMPACT OF MAYORS COMMITTED TO CLIMATE ACTION BOSTON - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Compact of Mayors, fortifying Boston's commitment to climate action and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global scale. The Compact unites cities with a common goal to drive climate action, building on Boston's continued commitment through its existing Climate Action Plan. "Cities play a critical role in the fight against climate change, and collaboration is key," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud we are able to build on our Administration's work to address climate change and to have Boston join other leading cities in spearheading those efforts." Launched at the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit, the Compact of Mayors is the world's largest coalition of city leaders addressing climate change by pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, tracking their progress and preparing for the impacts of climate change "The Green Ribbon Commission applauds Mayor Walsh's decision to join the Compact of Mayors," said Amos Hostetter, who Co-Chairs the Boston Green Ribbon Commission with Mayor Walsh. "For cities that are committed to and already showing leadership on climate, the Compact offers a powerful platform to share what's working, to learn from others, and to advance solutions to climate change." Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space, Austin Blackmon is currently representing Mayor Walsh today at the first U.S.-China Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles. The Summit is the first official convening of U.S. and Chinese leaders to share best practices, discuss objectives, and work together in their climate and sustainability goals.  "On the frontlines of global climate change, cities are well-positioned to play a leadership role in driving global action to address climate change," said Chief Blackmon. "The City of Boston is eager to continue to lead in those efforts." The Summit achieves a key element of the U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change by Presidents Obama and Xi last November and is an important milestone in the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December.  In January, Mayor Martin J. Walsh released the Greenovate Boston 2014 Climate Action Plan Update, taking steps to prepare the City of Boston for the impacts of climate change and celebrating the City's progress towards reducing GHG emissions 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. By laying out the necessary steps to reduce the causes of and to prepare for climate change, the Climate Action Plan gives the Boston community a framework for building a greener, healthier and more prosperous city. Visit http://greenovateboston.org for details