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星期六, 8月 27, 2022
中華表演藝術基金會夏日音樂會 8/27
星期五, 8月 26, 2022
三機構聯合贊助 波士頓中國象棋大賽首次出動真人棋子
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| 波士頓中國象棋大賽頒獎後，得獎者和贊助單位及部分工作人員合影。(周菊子攝) |
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓安良工商會、華商會、紐英崙中華公所聯合贊助的2022年度波士頓中國象棋大賽，經過3個週末大戰後，8月21日在華埠牌樓前動用真人棋子，比出勝負，冠亞季殿軍依序為陳景賢，梁家睿，黃銳輝，葉榮輝，各得獎金600 至150元不等。
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| 陳景賢 (左二) 獲得波士頓中國象棋大賽第一名。陳仕維 (左起)、雷國輝、蔡倩婷、雷軍、 吳烷森聯袂頒獎。 (周菊子攝) |
安良工商會總理陳仕維、華商會會長蔡倩婷、紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝在21日這天都全程在場支持，並聯袂頒獎。蔡倩婷還熱心的穿上紅色印有兵字T恤，下場當真人旗子。
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| 波士頓中國象棋大賽在華埠牌樓前動用真人棋子比賽。 (周菊子攝) |
紅綠2色T恤是根據棋盤棋子特製的。比賽這天，一件紅色砲T恤不見了。籌辦人員臨時決定把一件紅色T恤反穿，沒字的那個就是砲，解決了這個難題。
8月14日的那場比賽，波士頓象棋會特地請來紐約象棋賽冠軍孫一鳴參加，分紅黑兩方的5個輪回後，孫一鳴勝了4局，排名第一。不過他是客人，比賽後就回紐約了，所以8月21日的冠亞軍賽，是由陳景賢、梁家睿對決。
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| 陳景賢和梁家睿對奕，陳仕維等人在旁圍觀。 (周菊子攝) |
陳仕維為了讓這場大波士頓首見的真人棋子象棋賽更有看頭，特地大費周章地把波士頓安良工商會會所內的大螢幕搬到華埠牌樓前，另外請人架高攝影機，做現場直播。
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| 梅宇國身上的紅色T恤上面沒砲字，因為有砲字的T恤不知被哪個路人拿走了。 (周菊子攝) |
只是這天，大波士頓的氣溫又回升到華氏九十度上下，熱昏頭了，路上遊人不多，所有的真人棋子在自己原有的衣服上再套一件棋子T恤，更是汗流浹背，在對弈中被封殺的真人旗子，一被封殺，馬上笑容滿面，連忙把紅或綠T恤脫下來。其中的湯瑞雲嘆說，她在大太陽下曬到整件衣服從裏到外濕透了。
比賽結束後，華商會的陳文珊，翁偉健等人收桌椅，帳篷，電線，分工合作的迅速還原場地。
波士頓象棋會是2005年在波士頓由秦繼華、黃靄霖，吳烷森等人創辦的協會，會員背景多元，有建築業老闆，電腦工程師，進出口大盤商等等，不過絕大多數為波士頓餐館打工人，天氣好時，華埠司徒麗英公園內，總是有三、五盤棋同時在捉對廝殺，旁邊也都有許多人圍觀。
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| 安良工商會總理陳仕維 (左起)、波士頓華商會會長蔡倩婷，紐英崙中華公所主席 雷國輝聯袂贊助，才讓波士頓象棋會的這場大賽，別有特色。 (周菊子攝 |
星期四, 8月 25, 2022
Baker-Polito Administration Highlights School Safety Initiatives and Announces New Funding
Baker-Polito Administration Highlights School Safety Initiatives and Announces New Funding
BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, joined by Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeff Riley, Acting Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw and public safety officials, announced plans to file legislation proposing significant investments in school safety initiatives to support programming, training and resources for schools and districts throughout the Commonwealth. The administration’s proposed investments will expand its ongoing commitment to deliver a safe and secure learning environment for all Massachusetts students.
“As children return full-time to the classroom this fall, we want parents and educators to know that our administration is always working to improve and build on all the resources available to districts to make their schools as secure as possible,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration has and will continue to provide critical resources for students, staff, families and first responders while making significant investments in training for first responders and school staff so they can protect Massachusetts schools.”
“Children, teachers and staff deserve to feel safe in the classroom, and our administration’s funding proposal will invest in the resources and programming required to equip school communities and emergency personnel with the tools they need to keep schools safe,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Legislature to provide critical funding for districts across the Commonwealth.”
Governor Baker signed a supplemental budget with $15 million for school safety initiatives in October 2018.
To date, as part of the Safe and Supportive Schools Initiative, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded $15 million in grant funding, including $7.5 million awarded to more than 150 districts statewide to invest in security-related infrastructure upgrades and $7.5 million in grant funding to increase mental health support and to support schools’ hiring of additional mental health and behavioral health specialists. Additionally, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and the Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE) actively and frequently collaborate on training and best practices for emergency and active shooter responses in school settings. District superintendents are required each year to attest to that they have a multi-hazard evacuation plan in place, as well as that there is training provided to support that plan.
Public safety officials today also highlighted the Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program, an internationally recognized standard adopted by the Commonwealth as part of its ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness and community resilience to promote a statewide model for an integrated active shooter and hostile event response. Through cross-discipline collaboration among first responders and emergency personnel, ASHER is designed to protect communities and help them prepare, respond and recover from crisis events. The ASHER framework has already been implemented in state-run police and fire training academies, and parallel training is being finalized for current state police and fire personnel.
The Baker-Polito Administration will file a supplemental budget request in the coming weeks totaling nearly $40 million to support critical school safety initiatives and equip students, staff and emergency responders with the training necessary to respond to better respond to threats within schools.
The proposal will include:
- Matching grants for security and communications upgrades in K-12 schools and public higher education institutes
- Grant funding for child care providers to support safety measures and multi-hazard emergency planning
- Grant funding to support districts pilot an anonymous “tip line” to report potential threats
- Funding for a statewide “Say Something” public awareness campaign and corresponding training
- Support for ongoing emergency response training for school officials
- Creation of a comprehensive school safety website
“These safety proposals would support a huge range of children and students, from those in child care to those at public colleges and universities,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “The key to these proposals is collaboration among different state agencies and different local entities. When we invest in strengthening partnerships between school districts and first responders, we help ensure that schools are safe environments focused on learning and growing.”
“These proposed supports would be a welcome addition to school districts’ safety planning and infrastructure,” Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley said. “The matching funds for equipment upgrades, plus funding for additional school staff to meet and collaborate with first responders are critical pieces that will help ensure our schools are places where students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn.”
“Nearly 200,000 children are spending time in our early education and care programs across the Commonwealth each day,” said Department of Early Education and Care Acting Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These resources would provide our programs with the critical resources needed to not only upgrade and modernize their safety and security systems but also to plan, prepare and practice for various emergency scenarios based on the unique needs of our young learners and the early educators who work with them.”
“The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security remains deeply committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that schools provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our children and educators,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “We continue to build on vital initiatives, including school resource officer training, security infrastructure investments and the implementation of standardized policies to advance our shared goal of achieving the highest safety standards in school districts across the Commonwealth.”
“As the school year approaches, the Administration‘s action supports our students and teachers across the Commonwealth to have the resources they need to be and feel safe in the classroom,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “Today’s proposed investment in the well-being of our children is crucial to the Commonwealth’s commitment to protect students, teachers, staff and our future.”
"As students and staff head back to school across the Commonwealth, we are proud to announce new measures that will proactively invest in student safety and the security of education facilities across all levels," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. "We look forward to filing for funding to support these important initiatives in the coming weeks.”
星期三, 8月 24, 2022
麻州乾旱情況更加嚴重了
Risk of Wildland Fires Increases as Drought Persists
Conditions Worsen in Cape Cod, Islands, and Western Regions
BOSTON — With the risk of wildland fires increasing due to below average precipitation across the state, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card today declared that the Cape Cod Region will join the Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, Northeast, and Central Regions as a Level 3-Critical Drought. Additionally, the Islands and Western Regions will also elevate to a Level 2-Significant Drought. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level-3 Critical Drought and a Level 2-Significant Drought calls for the convening of an inter-agency Mission Group, which has already began to meet, to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts, and response within the government. These efforts are in addition to Level 1-Mild Drought actions, which recommends detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.
“Massachusetts continues to experience drought conditions in all regions of the state, which is not only depleting public water supplies, but is also elevating the risk of wildland fires,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “It is critical that we all practice water conservation methods and adhere to local requirements to decrease the stress on our water systems and ensure essential needs, such as drinking water, habitats and fire suppression, are being met.”
“The impact of the current drought conditions are being felt throughout the commonwealth, from damaging wildfires to dry riverbeds and wells,” said MEMA Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “The recent rains help but won’t end the drought so it is more important than ever to prevent wildfires and for residents to conserve water in our day-to-day activities.”
From August 1, 2022, to August 22, 2022, rainfall ranged mostly between 0.5 inch to 1 inch across the state, with a few localized higher and lower totals. Precipitation numbers are trending below average for the month of August. The Cape Cod, Islands, and Western Regions of the state were most impacted by the lack of precipitation. Additionally, since the onset of the drought, regions are experiencing between a four and ten inch deficit in precipitation. Streamflow has also been the most affected index with extreme low flows all across the state, where dry streambeds, increased ponding, higher temperatures in rivers, and increased nutrients and algal blooms are occurring. Furthermore, groundwater levels are declining in each region of the state.
Caution is also advised as fire activity has increased across the state as drought conditions have set in, and wildfires in remote areas with delayed response are now burning deep into the organic soil layers. Drought induced fire behavior can result in suppression challenges for fire resources and result in extended incidents. As a result of fire conditions, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has implemented a temporary ban on all open flame and charcoal fires within state park properties. During the temporary ban, which is in effect until further notice, small portable propane grills are still allowed at campgrounds and recreation areas where grilling is permitted.
Currently, there are over 12 wildfire incidents across the state that are active and require daily mop up and monitoring. This year’s fire season has been extended due to dry conditions. Since the start of the fire season, there have been over 840 wildfires, burning approximately 1,432 acres of land. It is critical that everyone remains aware of how the drought has increased the risk of wildland fires in the state, and the public is asked to exercise extreme caution when using grills and open flames to ensure fires are properly and completely extinguished.
The agricultural sector also continues to experience impacts resulting from the ongoing drought, which includes some depletion of water sources and production acreage, irrigating crops on a more consistent basis due to current precipitation deficits, high temperatures, low soil moisture, and significant increase in operating costs due to increased labor, maintenance of equipment, and increased irrigation. Consumers are encouraged to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products at local farm stands and retail stores throughout the Commonwealth.
On August 15, 2022, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack announced the designation of nine Massachusetts counties as primary natural disaster areas and three counties as contiguous disaster areas due to the 2022 drought. A USDA Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in the primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), such as FSA emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. The nine primary counties are: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester. The three contiguous counties are: Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire. For more information, please visit the USDA’s Disaster Assistance Programs’ webpage.
It is important to note that the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its individual plan. Private wells, local streams, wetlands, vernal pools, and other water-dependent habitats located within MWRA-serviced areas are being impacted by drought conditions while water quality in ponds can deteriorate due to lowering of levels and stagnation.
Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and working within a Level 3 – Critical Drought, Level 2 – Significant Drought and Level 1 – Mild Drought region, including those utilizing a private well. Residents and businesses are also asked to check with their local water system in case more stringent watering restrictions are in place.
For Regions in Level 3 – Critical Drought
Residents and Businesses:
- Stop all non-essential outdoor watering.
- Minimize overall water use.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
- Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 3 restriction calls for a ban on all nonessential outdoor water use.
- Provide timely information on the drought and on water conservation tips to local residents and businesses.
- Enforce water use restrictions with increasingly stringent penalties.
- Strongly discourage or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
- Establish or enhance water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
- Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
- Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
- Prepare to activate emergency inter-connections for water supply.
- Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 2 – Significant Drought
Residents and Businesses:
- Minimize overall water use.
- Limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
- Follow local water use restrictions, if more stringent.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
- Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 2 restriction calls for limiting outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. If local restrictions are more stringent, continue to keep them in place during the course of the drought.
- Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
- Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
- Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
- Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
- Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
- Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
- Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 1 – Mild Drought
Residents and Businesses:
- Toilets, faucets and showers are more than 60% of indoor use. Make sure yours are WaterSense efficient.
- Limit outdoor watering to one day a week (only from 5:00 pm – 9:00 am), or less frequently if required by your water supplier
Immediate Steps for Communities:
- Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought.
- Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
- Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
- Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
- Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
- Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
- Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
- Develop a local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
Practicing water conservation now will greatly help reduce water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and to sustain the Commonwealth’s water supplies in the long-term. State agencies will continue to monitor and assess current conditions and any associated environmental and agricultural impacts, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to provide technical assistance to communities on managing systems, including emergency connections and water supplies assistance.
“The need for conservation of water has never been greater,” said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “Citizens are again encouraged to conserve water and follow the conservation measures established by their local water suppliers.”
The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 1:00PM. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, please visit EEA’s drought page and
麻州選定Leggat McCall 公司翻修Charles F. Hurley大樓 10億元項目
COMMONWEALTH SELECTS PARTNER FOR TRANSFORMATION OF HURLEY BUILDING
$1B+ Project Will Activate an Underutilized Site in Downtown Boston with
Life Sciences & Mixed-Use Redevelopment, Solving Decades of Site Challenges
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Building on the Commonwealth’s world-class life sciences sector, the planned development will add good-paying jobs in research and development in state-of-the-art lab space, while contributing to the local ecosystem of innovation and technology. The site is positioned to be an economic driver for the city, state, and region, leveraging its location on Cambridge Street with direct access to the Kendall Square biotech corridor and the Mass General Hospital medical cluster.
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"This transformative redevelopment partnership will not only revitalize the Hurley building site, but will also improve the surrounding neighborhood, add much-needed housing, and boost the Commonwealth’s world-class life sciences sector,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with LMP and local partners on this project which will add open public space and improve the pedestrian experience throughout the neighborhood.”
“With the selection of LMP, the Commonwealth is taking the next step in a redevelopment process that will enhance public space, create jobs, and better utilize state assets,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “In selecting Leggat McCall Properties, the Commonwealth has secured a partner that brings valuable expertise in complex urban projects to help us cost-effectively renovate the Hurley building site and better serve the needs of the public.”
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“This redevelopment represents a substantial cost savings to the Commonwealth,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “Leveraging the value of state-owned real estate through a public-private partnership allows us to reduce capital expenditures, address deferred maintenance, improve our public realm, and plan for a more sustainable and prosperous future.”
LMP has proposed substantial restoration and preservation of the Hurley Building, including retaining and complementing large portions of the existing structure while transforming the interior to accommodate new state office space. Overseen by renowned historic preservation architects Beyer Blinder Belle, whose past work includes the revitalization of Grand Central Terminal and the Lincoln Center, the preservation approach honors the mid-century architectural elements of the site while improving its outdated public interfaces.
“This redevelopment offers inspired design solutions and thoughtful adaptations to modernize a site with significant flaws and unlock its full potential as a vibrant destination at the heart of our city, state, and region,” said DCAMM Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “We are excited to be partnering with Leggat McCall Properties to make the most of this generational opportunity to reimagine our urban environment for the benefit of the Commonwealth.”
LMP’s proposal includes a strong plan to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion at the site, and the project team includes women and people of color at all levels, including leadership. The project is expected to include the largest minority capital raise in Boston history at $59 million, led by Alinea Partners. Leggat McCall Properties will offer 14,000 square feet of retail space to Lab Central’s Ignite program which provides skill-building and training opportunities for populations that are underrepresented in the biotech industry. This contribution, valued at $6-$8 million, will take advantage of partnership opportunities with the adjacent life science uses at the redeveloped property and continue the site’s legacy of providing workforce training programs for Commonwealth residents.
“Alinea Capital Partners is pleased to participate in the redevelopment of this iconic real estate asset and establish an unprecedented level of diverse equity participation in the Project,” said Duane Jackson of Alinea Capital Partners, a creator and champion of the ‘Massport Model’ to promote diversity in state procurement. “The Hurley Project establishes a new standard of participation and performance for women and minority-owned firms doing business in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
The improved site will include ground-floor retail along Staniford Street, significant upgrades to the central plaza, and a new mid-block portal allowing for pedestrians and the public to access and pass through the block more easily. The central plaza, designed by award-winning landscape architecture firm Mikyoung Kim Design, will be transformed into a 21st-century civic space that enhances the city’s walkability, promotes sustainability and environmental resilience, and encourages both passive and active use.
“We’re humbled to be chosen to work with the Commonwealth on this landmark project and look forward to continuing DCAMM’s work with the community to deliver a vital mix of commercial and cultural uses along with improvements and activation to the public realm,” said William Gause, Executive Vice President and Partner of Leggat McCall Properties. “The magnitude of positive impact this project will have on the Commonwealth, the City of Boston, and the surrounding neighborhoods underscores the importance of exceeding the City’s sustainability and resiliency goals for the benefit of future generations. Leggat McCall Properties is truly proud to be part of such a critical public-private endeavor.”
Situated at the crossroads of the West End, Beacon Hill, and Government Center, the 5.5-acre disposition site encompasses the Hurley building and much of the surrounding open space. The Hurley building was completed in 1971 to house labor and workforce development programs as part of the Boston Government Service Center and remains architecturally significant due to its unique mid-century design. The adjacent Lindemann building will not be part of the disposition, although the open spaces throughout the complex will be improved through this project, including Merrimac Plaza.
To inform this RFP process, DCAMM engaged in extensive community outreach, including conversations with local civic associations, public meetings, input from a community advisory group, engagement with historic preservation advocates, and collaboration with state and local officials. Public comment largely focused on the need for street-level activation, human-scale urban design, improved open spaces, sustainability, and a balanced approach to historic preservation. While this proposal addresses each of these elements, it is anticipated that the development will continue to be shaped by public comments and engagement through the City of Boston’s Article 80 review, as well as further state permitting through the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act.
The proposal will now go through regulatory review and permitting and is expected to break ground in 2025.
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