星期五, 10月 16, 2015

American Airlines Has Changes at Logan Airport

American Airlines Has Changes at Logan Airport
US Airways Signage Ends Friday

BOSTON – Beginning Saturday, October 17thAmerican Airlines will formally take over the US Airways space at Boston Logan’s Terminal B. New signage at curbside and throughout the Terminal will help customers find their correct drop-off and check-in locations. American Airlines will now have three check-in locations, and passengers can use any of them and walk to their gate post security. American Airlines will have extra staff in the Terminal as customers adjust to the new changes

Other important information:
·         AmericanShuttle, formerly US Airways Shuttle, will remain in the same location in Terminal B (Gates B15-B19).
·         American Airlines now has two Admirals Clubs in Terminal B beyond security:
o   Near Gate B4
o   Near Gate B30

Locating your gate at Logan
Check your boarding pass or an airport monitor for your gate information. As a reminder, Gates B4-B19 are on the first side of Terminal B as you approach via the roadway. This is the location formerly occupied by US Airways. Gates B30-36 are on the second side of Terminal B. Passengers can use any American Airlines check in location to access their gate post security.

Online and mobile app check-in
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, use www.aa.com or the American Airlines mobile app to check in for flights, get boarding passes as early as 24 hours before departure, gate locations and flight status. Passengers can also sign up for automatic flight notifications or use the app to get last-minute changes and updates on the go. The US Airways app will no longer be available, and usairways.com will reroute customers to www.aa.com.

Customers can visit www.aa.com/arriving for the latest news and updates as American Airlines prepares to become one airline for its customers.

By Airport Shuttle Bus and Silver Line
Announcements will reflect the American Airlines gate numbers for the stops at Terminal B.

Picking up Passengers
Drivers in the cell phone lot waiting lot should get arrival gate information and then proceed to the passenger pick up area on the appropriate side of Terminal B.

BRA board approves $136 million in new projects at October meeting

BRA board approves $136 million in new projects at October meeting
Expected to create over 200 housing units and 350 construction jobs

BOSTON – The Board of Directors for the Boston Redevelopment Authority last night approved six new development projects, including four housing projects that will create a total of 216 units, 93 of which will be restricted as affordable. The board also approved a major renovation of the downtown Center Plaza office complex, a self storage and custom manufacturing facility in Newmarket, and a new pedestrian bridge for Boston Children’s Hospital.
The projects, which represent a combined investment of $136.3 million, will result in over 400,000 square feet of development and an estimated 355 construction jobs.
In addition to the new approvals, the BRA board granted final designation to a local development group to construct a hotel and residences along Melnea Cass Boulevard in Roxbury.
Below is a summary of the projects that are set to move forward.

Whittier Street public housing to be redeveloped, adding more units and growing mix of incomes

Total Project Cost: $44,000,000
Total SF: 110,000
Construction Jobs: 81
A partnership between the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), Preservation of Affordable Housing, and Madison Park Development Corporation won approval to overhaul one of Boston’s oldest and most distressed public housing developments. Known as Whittier Choice, the project will ultimately create a total of 387 mixed-income rental units. The first phase will result in 83 new units, and subsequent phases call for the redevelopment of all 200 low-income units that comprise the current Whittier Street public housing complex as well as additional mixed-income units.
When complete, the new development will include over 7,600 square feet of commercial space, public open space, and a recreation area. A fitness room, lounges, and community rooms are also planned. New street trees, benches, sidewalks, and lighting will help revitalize the surrounding streets, and residents will have access to bicycle parking as well as 121 underground parking spots.
Situated between Dudley Square and the Ruggles MBTA station, the Whittier Street development dates back to 1953. Funding has been secured for the first phase, and the development partners will continue to pursue financing for later phases. The BHA was unfortunately not awarded a Choice Neighborhood Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the most recent round of funding allocations, but the agency plans to reapply.


Madison Park Development Corporation to build new housing along Melnea Cass in Lower Roxbury

Total Project Cost: $37,000,000
Total SF: 92,179
Construction Jobs: 69
Madison Park Development Corporation, one of the nation’s first community-based, non-profit organizations to independently develop affordable housing for low and moderate income residents, will undertake a new project to add 76 units of housing in Lower Roxbury. Already the operator of Madison Park Village, which was developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s along Melnea Cass Boulevard, the non-profit will construct two new buildings on nearby infill sites.
Designed by Elton + Hampton Architects, the Madison Park Infill project will be comprised of a four-story building with 16 units and a five-story building with 60 units located just southwest of the Ruggles MBTA Orange Line station. The project will transform an underutilized stretch along Melnea Cass Boulevard and improve the connectivity of the neighborhood by activating the surrounding streets with new residents.
Most, if not all, of the 76 units will be marketed as affordable housing thanks to Low Income Housing Tax Credits that the developer has secured.

Center Plaza to undergo sweeping renovation that includes new lobbies and penthouse addition

Total Project Cost: $25,000,000
Total SF: Approximately 30,000 (new space)
Construction Jobs: 104
Center Plaza, the hulking concrete office and commercial building that arcs around Suffolk Superior Court and overlooks Government Center, will receive a major facelift as part of a broad improvement plan being led by property owner Shorenstein. The crescent shaped, three-building complex was originally constructed in the late 1960s and contains over 717,000 square feet of space spread throughout nine floors.
The highlights of Shorenstein’s renovation plans include new lobbies and passageways between all three buildings and a 21,000 square foot penthouse addition that will provide more office space and a rooftop garden. A 9,400 square foot addition will be constructed on the ground floor and mezzanine levels in order to expand retail and restaurant opportunities at Center Plaza. Other improvements include better lighting, a publicly accessible elevator, and enhanced signage for tenants.
Shorenstein and CBT Architects have designed the new Center Plaza to be LEED Gold certifiable through the U.S. Green Building Council.


New housing to be developed on former manufacturing site in West Roxbury

Total Project Cost: $10,000,000
Total SF: 49,800
Construction Jobs: 36
A series of outdated, abandoned, and burned out former light industrial buildings at the corner of LaGrange and Centre Streets in West Roxbury will soon come down under a proposal approved by the BRA board last night. Developer Michael Argiros of Charles River Realty plans to demolish a shuttered factory that once made inhalers and construct a three-story residential building with 48 apartments, six of which will be designated as affordable.
The Victorian style multi-family building at 425 LaGrange Street, designed by Neshamkin French Architects, is intended to blend nicely with the surrounding neighborhood and Centre Street shopping area. The project will contain eight studios, 22 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom units.
The developer hopes to break ground by March 2016 and complete the project by July 2017.

Housing project near South Boston’s Broadway Station will have photography studio and retail

Total Project Cost: $8,250,000
Total SF: 36,856
Construction Jobs: 27
A one-story structure at the corner of West Fourth Street and A Street in South Boston will be demolished to make way for a six-story project that will include nine residential units, a two-floor photography studio, ground-floor retail space, and off-street parking. 33 A Street Development won approval to construct the new building at 120 West Fourth Street, which will have one four-bedroom unit, six three-bedroom units, and two two-bedroom units. Eight units will be rental apartments, while one will be occupied by the property owner.
The developer will make sidewalk and landscaping improvements along A and West Fourth Streets as part of the project, which was designed by Embarc Studio.
Michael Indresano, the property and business owner who currently runs a photography studio, has also committed to providing photography and video services free of charge to local nonprofit organizations, such as Medicine Wheel Productions and the Pine Street Inn.


Storage facility approved for Newmarket Commercial District

Total Project Cost: $12,000,000
Total SF: 83,500
Construction Jobs: 37
Raymond Schneider, the owner of Red Dog Pet Resort and Spa on Southampton Street in Newmarket received approval to build a new storage facility on property adjacent to his other business. Boston Self Storage will be an 83,500 square foot facility with flexible storage space for customers. By incorporating sustainable design features, such as an energy efficient water system and environmentally friendly materials, the developer hopes to achieve LEED Silver certification.
Once the storage facility is established, the owner intends to start a small moving company to support his customers’ needs.
Based on feedback from community members and elected officials, the project will also include 19,000 square feet of fabrication space for local entrepreneurs for experimental manufacturing. By providing this resource, Mr. Schneider hopes to spur additional job creation beyond his project and support budding small businesses in the area.

Melnea Partners, LLC granted final designation to develop hotel and residences off Melnea Cass Boulevard

Total Project Cost: $38,000,000
Total SF: 126,400
Construction Jobs: TBD
An important parcel in the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan is closer to being redeveloped after the BRA board granted final designation to Melnea Partners, LLC, a collaborative being led by the local design and development firm Urbanica, as the developer for Parcel 9. The parcel, which is jointly owned by the BRA and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, will be redeveloped as the Melnea Hotel and Residences.
The project includes a 108-room hotel, 50 units of rental housing, and 8,000 square feet of retail space. The hotel will be a Residence Inn franchise, part of Marriott International’s portfolio of brands.
The development team hopes to begin construction of the hotel and residences by the end of this year, with the hotel slated for completion in spring 2017 and the residential units that summer.


Boston Children’s Hospital to construct new pedestrian bridge over Longwood Avenue

Boston Children’s Hospital received approval to amend its Institutional Master Plan in order to build a new pedestrian bridge over Longwood Avenue. The 3,250 square foot connector will link the patient and family parking garage with the hospital’s main building in order to create a safe passage that is protected from the elements for patients, staff, and visitors. A new concierge desk in the garage will process patient discharges, and visitors will have access to valet service.
The steel and glass bridge was designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects to be visually unobtrusive to passersby on Longwood Avenue. Children’s Hospital will create a pocket park outside the historic Hunnewell Building and make landscaping improvements along Longwood Avenue and Blackfan Street. Lighting will also be installed to better showcase the Hunnewell Building and its historic character. As a result of the new bridge, an existing concrete pedestrian bridge that spans Blackfan Street will be removed.

About the Boston Redevelopment Authority
As the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the BRA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its downtown to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and vibrant city for all. The BRA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment training, human services and job creation. Learn more at www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org, and follow us on Twitter@BostonRedevelop.

新英格蘭中文專業教師協會換屆 呂圣竹接任會長

新英格蘭中文專業教師協會(NECTA)日前在波士頓華僑文教中心舉辦一日工作坊,安排五名老師分享教學心得,並改選出品貴(Pingreen)高中老師呂圣竹為新任會長。
卸任會長,在布魯克蘭高中任教的張福增表示,當天的五項講座,主講老師及講題分別為,蘇關麗媚的“我準備教學的方式”,布魯克蘭高中張麗華老師的“當人權更重要(When Humanity Prevails)”,葉金惠老師的“講數位故事的工具(A tool for digital story-telling)”,王明德老師的摺紙,林遊嵐的“新文字架構(Introducing New Literacies Framework)”。
蘇關麗媚在昆士高中任教6年。她認為製作教學計畫,最好一做就是一整年,並制定故事單元及時間架構,每個月的進度。她分享了一個單位計畫的元素,製作單位計畫的方法,製作一堂課的幻燈片的方法,一日教學的例子,以及教學範例等。
張麗華在布魯克蘭高中任教,因為經常有學生詢問兩岸關係,促使她爭取到布魯克蘭教育者基金會撥給經費,赴台海兩岸實地採訪,並製作出一份感人的報告。
            張麗華指出,中國和台灣歷經50多年的政治僵持,隔絕後,終於把政治及理想上的差異,暫時放在一旁,數以萬計的人們,得以和失散多年的親人團聚。她的這份報告檢視中國,台灣的過去,現在及未來,以及兩岸關係如何影響了地方上的經濟,文化及政治。目前,中國政府的態度是台灣不談獨立,中國就不談統一,而大部分台灣人也希望“不統,不獨,不武”的維持現狀,
            葉金惠介紹“故事板(Storyboard)“,並講解如何使用這電腦軟體來輔助中國語文教學。
            王明德示範摺紙藝術,教作紙花瓶,鉛筆盒,還分享了利用回收物的構想。
            林遊嵐“介紹新的文字架構(Introducing New Literacies Framework)“,說明外語協會(ACTFL)新近成立了”語言及文字合作中心(The Language and Literacy Collaboration Center), 以期語言世界因應新文字發展,幫助老師面對最新的趨勢。她也指出,在新的文字架構中,學生們必須能夠流利應用科技來取得使用文字的流利程度與效率,能夠有意地和其他人建立起跨文化連繫及關係,以合作解決問題,加強獨立思考。新的中文要求,在初級程度中,要知道學生能認識,閱讀,了解什麼,有些什麼樣的內容主題,學生能寫些什麼,科技工具能夠怎麼被引用來加強文字技能等等。

圖片說明:

            張福增(左)交棒,呂圣竹(右)接任新英格蘭中文專業教師協會會長。(菊子攝)

            左起,林遊嵐,王俞文,王明德,張福增,葉金惠老師等人是新英格蘭中文專業教師協會的核心成員。(菊子攝)

            張麗華(立者)的兩岸關係調查報告,引人深思。(菊子攝)


波士頓亞美電影節訂10/22-25舉行 “好萊塢之東”將做世界首映

本年度(2015)的波士頓亞美電影節( (BAAFF) ,將以“家在美國(Home in America)”為主題,於1022日至25日在波士頓市的愛默生藝術(ArtEmerson)派拉蒙中心的光明家庭放映室(Bright Family Screening Room),以及劍橋市的布瑞托(Brattle)戲院舉行。
            其中將於1023日(週五)晚9點在派拉蒙戲院放映的“好萊塢之東(East of Hollywood)“一片,有波士頓華人社區熟悉,曾任亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)董事長的曹育倫參與拍製,以模擬紀錄片形式展現亞裔美人在割喉般好萊塢環境中幕後生活的影片,將在今年的波士頓亞美電影節中做世界首映。
        波士頓亞美電影節棣屬於亞裔文化資源中心(AARW),放映由亞裔美人或移居他鄉亞裔所拍攝,或是關於亞裔美人,亞裔的近期作品,重要作品。
         今年的波士頓亞美電影節,將以Benson Lee所拍攝,有關八十年代青少年的喜劇片“搜尋平壤(Seoul Searching)”作為開幕影片,內容是一群來自世界各地,不能融合於其所生存環境的韓裔。被父母逼到平壤參加一個文化宣傳營,卻竟讓他們度過有生以來最棒的一個夏天。
            該片已獲選入日舞(Sundance)電影節,洛杉磯電影節嘉年華會放映片,並贏得了CAAM電影節觀眾獎。
            開幕電影預定於1022日晚七點半,在布瑞托戲院舉行。劇本作者及導演Benson Lee將出席。 
            電影節的中心影片,將為曾以”好萊塢華人“,”美國紫禁城“等片,三度獲得日舞電影節獎,獲得奧斯卡提名的Arthur Dong所編,導,演,剪輯的“Haing S. Ngor醫師的殺戮戰場 The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor)“。該片是關於最出名的柬埔寨大屠殺倖存者的紀錄片,訂1024日(週六)晚615分在派拉蒙中心放映。
            閉幕片將為“美國印度小姐Miss India America),由Ravi Kapoor所拍攝,宛如把“選舉(Election )”,“法律的金髮(Legally Blonde)”搬進了美國印度小姐選美賽,描述一名有野心的青少年,因男朋友迷戀奪得選美后冠的印度小姐,感到一生計畫完全被毀,別無選擇的試圖也成為全國印度小姐。該片獲得CAAM電影節康卡斯Narrative評審獎,洛杉磯亞太平洋電影節最佳劇本獎。該片將於1025日(週日)下午五點,在派拉蒙中心放映,劇本撰稿人,創意製片Meera Simhan將出席。ˇ
            查詢詳情,或購票,可上網 www.baaff.org,或 www.facebook.com/baaff

圖片說明:
            曹育倫(左)在“好萊塢之東”一片中的劇照。(圖由曹育倫提供)


            2015波士頓亞美電影節海報。