CITY OF BOSTON ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT ASKS FOR FEEDBACK ON EARLY VOTING PLAN

CITY OF BOSTON ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT ASKS FOR FEEDBACK ON EARLY VOTING PLAN

BOSTON - Thursday, June 9, 2016 - The City of Boston Election Department is asking residents for feedback on locations and timing of early voting locations. The public is encouraged to visitearlyvoting.boston.gov to provide input on their preferred locations and days/times for early voting. The survey will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16th. This feedback will be incorporated into the plan that will be recommended to the Election Commission for approval on July 6th, 2016. "A democracy is only strong and vibrant when all residents are able to participate and make their voices heard," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I am pleased that in Boston we are creating a plan that makes voting more accessible to all residents. City Hall is dedicated to fostering strong civic engagement and our early voting plan is another step forward." The Early Voting Initiative will make participation in Election Day more convenient for all, particularly those with work schedules, family obligations or other obstacles. To promote access across the city, the Mayor's FY17 budget proposal commits $670,000 to meet and exceed the state requirement of having one early voting site open during normal business hours. "Our objective is to further Mayor Martin J. Walsh's directive to give all of our residents an opportunity to participate in Boston's inaugural early voting period, and we value the input of all stakeholders towards developing a final plan," said Dion Irish, Commissioner of the Boston Election Department. The Early Voting period runs from Monday October 24th to Friday November 4th at 5:00pm, and voters may cast their votes at any location. City Hall will be the main Early Voting location for in-person voting during that period, however voters may also vote early by mail application. For neighborhood locations, the Election Department requests input on the schedule and the most convenient times. To provide public input, individuals should visit earlyvoting.boston.gov before 5:00 pm, June 16, 2016. Feedback can also be provided through the Boston Election Department's Facebook page, or@BostonElections on Twitter or via email at EVfeedback@boston.gov.

昆市道賓樓辦行人安全講座

Lieutenant Dan Minton of the Quincy Police, Betty Yau of the Mayor’s Office and Bonnie Kok of the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center joined forces to hold a pedestrian safety workshop at The Tobin Towers at 80 Clay Street on Friday, June 3, 2016. Over 30 elder residents attended the workshop which was informative and interactive. The elders were eager to ask questions. Many learned the important rules particularly in crossing a four-lane street and the essence of safety. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Quincy Housing Authority and the South Shore Elder Services. Several similar workshops are being planned. A schedule with details will be announced soon. （From GBCGAC）

(丁慧明)於上週五2016年6月3日在昆士市Clay街80號的道賓樓老人屋合力舉辦了一個行人安全講座，約30多名耆英住客出席，講座具豐富資訊及非常互動，耆英們踴躍提問，尤其學習到如何正確地横過一條四線行車的馬路及注意安全的重要規則。這活動由昆士市房屋署及南岸老人局共同協辦。數個類似的講座正在計劃中，一經安排妥當，即將公佈講座的時間與細節。（中華耆英會提供）

Front row - 3^rd from right:

Lieutenant Dan Minton, Quincy Police Dept.; Betty Yau, Quincy Mayor’s Office and Bonnie Kok, Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center

前排右第3人：昆士市警官明頓(Lt. Dan Minton), 昆士市市長辦公室Betty Yau (邱潔芳) ,耆英會及南岸老人局 Bonnie Kok(丁慧明 ) 。

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH ANNOUNCES HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY’S MAINSTAGE WILL REMAIN ON HUNTINGTON AVENUE, THE AVENUE OF THE ARTS

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH ANNOUNCES HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY’S MAINSTAGE WILL REMAIN ON HUNTINGTON AVENUE, THE AVENUE OF THE ARTS

(BOSTON, MA)  Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined Huntington Managing Director Michael Maso and developer John Matteson of QMG Huntington, LLC to announce a partnership that will allow the Huntington Theatre Company to stay in its current home, the Boston University Theatre.

On Thursday afternoon, Mayor Walsh declared, “The Huntington Theatre Company is here to stay, on Huntington Avenue where it belongs. From the very beginning we have been committed to bringing the key players to the table in order to maintain the Huntington’s home on the Avenue of the Arts.”

Over 200 people attended the press conference, including Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois, Huntington Board Chairman Carol G. Deane, incoming Huntington Board Chairman David Epstein, incoming Huntington Board President Sharon Malt, Chief of Economic Development John Barros, Chief of Arts and Culture Julie Burros, and Chief of Policy Joyce Linehan, who joined Mayor Walsh on stage.

In his speech, Mayor Walsh said, “The theatre’s legacy is rich and diverse, from its commitment to the works of famed African American playwright August Wilson, to its innovative partnership with Codman Academy Charter Public School. The Huntington is one of Boston’s great cultural treasures. I am thankful for the shared commitment of John Matteson and his team to our goals, and I look forward to the bright future of this theatre.”

Michael Maso said, “We are deeply grateful to Mayor Walsh and his administration for their essential role in helping find a solution which will allow the Huntington to not only continue to produce ambitious, large-scale works in a renovated and expanded Huntington Avenue theatre, but also to expand and enhance our services to audience members, young people, our neighborhood, and the theatre community of Boston.”

Following Maso, John Matteson of QMG Huntington, LLC said, “We would like to thank Mayor Walsh, his staff and the BRA for their guidance through this process. We look forward to a long relationship with the Avenue of the Arts and the new Huntington.”

“The Fenway community is so appreciative of the Mayor and his team's accomplishment in keeping the Huntington Theatre Company on the Avenue of the Arts in the Fenway Cultural District," said Kelly Brilliant, Executive Director of the Fenway Alliance, Inc. “The Huntington is a backbone not only for a dedicated, engaged arts audience in Boston, but is also a tangible presence, and intellectual and emotional touchstone in our community — the Fenway.  On so many nights and afternoons, the theatre is a buzzing gathering place in the Fenway Cultural District.  A great neighbor who welcomes us all, lifts our spirits and challenges our minds with fresh ideas and diverse perspectives — all in the form of powerful art.”

“Having long-term control over our mainstage theatre on a year-round basis is a huge step for the Huntington,” said Artistic Director Peter DuBois. “It means that we can explore additional artistic programming and partnerships throughout the year, and ensures that the Huntington can nurture future generations of theatre artists and arts organizations.”

Mayor Walsh ended with saying, “This is an exciting day, not just for the Huntington. This is an exciting day for the entire city of Boston.”

The Huntington is a local economic driver in the City of Boston, employing over 400 staff members and artists and generating more than $19 million annually in economic activity. Through its education programs, the Huntington provides programs for more than 33,000 youth and community members annually, many of them from Boston’s neighborhoods.

In October 2015, Boston University and the Huntington announced that they would dissolve their 33-year partnership in June 2017, and the BU Theatre complex would be sold on the open market. A local development company, QMG Huntington LLC, led by John Matteson, purchased the BU Theatre complex in May 2016. Thanks to the direct support of Mayor Walsh and his administration, the Huntington and QMG have now agreed:

·         The Huntington will gain exclusive control of the historic theatre itself and the service wing to its west, which it plans to fully renovate at its own expense;

·         The Huntington will expand its lobbies and other public spaces amenities into new shell and core space to be provided by QMG;

·         QMG will develop the properties that now hold the Huntington’s production center, and the Huntington will relocate its scenic, paint, and prop shops in order to another location.

More details will emerge in the coming months as the design and review process of the development is finalized, and in order to succeed the Huntington will embark on a major new capital fundraising campaign.  

The City of Boston is currently leading Boston Creates, Boston's cultural planning process, designed to create a long-term plan to prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen cultural vitality in the City. Over the past year, the Boston Creates team undertook an extensive community engagement, holding three town halls, 118 community conversations, more than 80 focus groups and meetings, an online creative engagement participation survey and a crowd-sourced mapping of cultural assets. Using the data obtained through the process, the team worked closely with the Boston Creates Steering Committee and Leadership Council to develop a draft planfor public feedback. The final plan will be released this summer.

French-based ‘Live Biotherapeutic’ Company Biose to open their first US office in Cambridge

French-based ‘Live Biotherapeutic’ Company Biose to open their first US office in Cambridge

Announcement comes during 2016 BIO International Convention in San Francisco

Maxence Desjonquères (far left), CEO of Biose, meets with Massachusetts life sciences and economic development leaders in the Massachusetts Pavilion at the BIO 2016 Convention in San Francisco, including (from left to right) Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Lisa Hemmerle, Director of Economic Development for the City of Cambridge, Pamela Norton, Vice President for Industry Relations & Programs at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Jay Ash, Massachusetts Secretary for Housing & Economic Development.  Not pictured but participating in the meeting was MassBio President & CEO Bob Coughlin.

San Francisco, CA - BIOSE®, a French pharmaceutical company, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and MassBio announced today that BIOSE® is opening their first US office in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the Cambridge Innovation Center.  BIOSE®’s mission is to design and market the best live biotherapeutic products to improve human health. Their Massachusetts office will primarily focus on licensing activities.

BIOSE® has spent the past 50 years working in the Gynecology, Infectology and Gastroenterology sectors in Europe, South America and South-East Asia. BIOSE® has clinical proof of concept in multiple therapeutic areas and a microbiota-centered pipeline, containing as of today more than 15 therapeutic projects in areas including clostridium difficile infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, metformin associated diarrhea and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, for which they have reached human proof of concept and are ready for licensing.

“The life sciences cluster continues to grow in Massachusetts, and we are excited to welcome Biose into the fold,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The increasing number of global companies making Massachusetts their U.S. headquarters is a testament to the strength of the ecosystem we have built, the unbeatable talent and the bright future of life sciences in the Commonwealth.”

“When we decided to open a subsidiary in the US, the Boston area was a clear choice for us,” said Maxence Desjonquères, CEO of Biose.  “From a business perspective it is one of the leaders worldwide for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, with all of the potential partners we need to develop and advance our R&D projects.  On a practical point, the Boston area is the best place to be in the US while staying connected with Europe.  With only a 7 hour flight and a manageable time difference with France, our French team and American team will be easily able to work together!”

“We welcome Biose to Massachusetts and look forward to the contributions they will make here to the growing field of microbiota-related therapeutics,” said Travis McCready, president & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “Biose will join a growing pool of companies and researchers that are working in this exciting space in Massachusetts.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Biose to Massachusetts and we congratulate them on establishing their first US office in Cambridge,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio. “We know that Biose will bring value to and benefit from our robust life sciences community as they continue to grow and connect with new partners.”

“We are so excited to welcome Biose to Cambridge, the Life Sciences Corridor, and the Commonwealth,” said Lisa Hemmerle, Director of Economic Development for the City of Cambridge.  “It is companies like Biose that continue to make this area a world-leading life sciences ecosystem.”

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY PARTNERSHIP

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY PARTNERSHIP

Agreement will allow Huntington to stay in BU Theatre and expand programming, partnerships and opportunities for Boston's young people

BOSTON - Thursday, June 9, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Michael Maso, Managing Director of the Huntington Theatre Company and John Matteson of the QMG Huntington, LLC to announce a partnership that will allow the Huntington Theatre Company to continue operating in what is known as the Boston University (BU) Theatre. "From the very beginning we have been committed to bringing the key players to the table in order to maintain the Huntington's home on the Avenue of the Arts," said Mayor Walsh. "The theatre's legacy is rich and diverse, from its commitment to the works of famed African-American playwright August Wilson, to its innovative partnership with Codman Academy Charter School. The Huntington is one of Boston's great cultural treasures. I am thankful for the shared commitment of John Matteson and his team to our goals, and I look forward to the bright future of this theatre." "We are deeply grateful to Mayor Walsh and his administration for their essential role in helping find a solution which will allow the Huntington to not only continue to produce ambitious, large-scale works in a renovated and expanded Huntington Avenue theatre, but also to expand and enhance our services to audience members, young people, our neighborhood, and the theatre community of Boston," said Michael Maso, Managing Director of the Huntington Theatre Company. "We would like to thank Mayor Walsh, his staff and the BRA for their guidance through this process," said John Matteson of the QMG Huntington, LLC. "We would also like to thank BU for trusting us with this important property and mostly we look forward to a long relationship with the Avenue of the Arts and the new Huntington Theatre." "The Fenway community is so appreciative of the Mayor and his team's accomplishment in keeping the Huntington Theatre on the Avenue of the Arts in the Fenway Cultural District," said Kelly Brilliant, Executive Director of the Fenway Alliance, Inc. "The Huntington Theatre is a backbone not only for a dedicated, engaged arts audience in Boston, but is also a tangible presence, and intellectual and emotional touchstone in our community--the Fenway.  On so many nights and afternoons, the theatre is a buzzing gathering place in the Fenway Cultural District.  A great neighbor who welcomes us all, lifts our spirits and challenges our minds with fresh ideas and diverse perspectives-all in the form of powerful art." "Having long-term control over our mainstage theatre on a year-round basis is a huge step for the Huntington," said Peter DuBois, Artistic Director at the Huntington Theatre Company. "It means that we can explore additional artistic programming and partnerships throughout the year, and ensures that the Huntington can nurture future generations of theatre artists and arts organizations." The Huntington is a local economic driver in the City of Boston, employing over 400 full-time staff members and artists and generating more than $19 million annually in economic activity. Through its education programs, the Huntington also provides programs for more than 33,000 youth and community members annually, many of them from Boston's neighborhoods. In October 2015, BU and the Huntington Theatre Company announced that they would dissolve their 33-year partnership in June 2017, and the BU Theatre complex would be sold on the open market.  A local development company, QMG Huntington LLC, led by John Matteson, purchased the BU Theatre complex in May 2016, and the Huntington and the developer have now agreed: The Huntington will gain exclusive control of the historic theatre itself and the service wing to its west, which it plans to fully renovate at its own expense;   The Huntington will expand its lobbies and other public spaces amenities into new shell and core space to be provided by QMG;   QMG will develop the properties that now hold the Huntington's production center, and the Huntington will relocate its scenic, paint, and prop shops in order to another location.   More details will emerge in the coming months as the design and review process of the development is finalized, and in order to succeed the Huntington will embark on a major new capital fundraising campaign.   The City of Boston is currently leading Boston Creates, Boston's cultural planning process, designed to create a long-term plan to prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen cultural vitality in the City. Over the past year, the Boston Creates team undertook an extensive community engagement, holding three town halls, 118 community conversations, more than 80 focus groups and meetings, an online creative engagement participation survey and a crowd-sourced mapping of cultural assets. Using the data obtained through the process, the team worked closely with the Boston Creates Steering Committee and Leadership Council to develop a draft plan for public feedback. The final plan will be released this summer.

Treasurer Goldberg Announces over $6.7 Million in Grants for 19 Municipal Water Projects

Treasurer Goldberg Announces over $6.7 Million in Grants

for 19 Municipal Water ProjectsFunds will help cities and towns pay for improvements to drinking

water and wastewater infrastructure

BOSTON – State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, today announced more than $6.7 million in loan principal forgiveness for 19 projects in 16 communities statewide.  The principle forgiveness funds are administered on a competitive basis to cities and towns most in need of financial assistance to help pay for improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

“Providing these funds to local communities will save the rate payers money and also protect the health of the citizens and the environment,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “This $6.7 million is in addition to the $2 million we recently approved to test for lead in the schools, and is another example of the excellent work the Trust does saving our local communities money.”

The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust improves the water quality in the Commonwealth through the provision of low-cost capital financing to cities, towns and other eligible entities. Because of the reduction of loan principal funded by this program, impacted communities will see their bi-annual loan repayments reduced, freeing up capital for other local needs. The loans were originated to pay for municipal water projects such as upgrades to water treatment facilities and storm water and sewer improvement projects.

The communities that earned loan principal forgiveness are: Lynn, Revere, Saugus, Norwood, Quincy, Worcester, Brockton, Gardner, Falmouth, New Bedford, Eastham, Fall River, Plainville, Chicopee, Great Barrington, and Greater Lawrence.

“Massachusetts has chosen to direct these federal SRF funds to water infrastructure projects that are being constructed in some of the lowest income communities in the state,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), a member of the Clean Water Trust. “These are communities where the funds will provide the most benefit in helping residents afford clean and safe drinking water.”

The $6.7 million in loan forgiveness funds is associated with a total original loan amount of more than $185 million. The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust lends financial assistance to the Commonwealth under the State Revolving Fund program by providing subsidized loans to cities and towns for clean water and drinking water infrastructure development. Since its establishment in 1989, the Trust has loaned more than $6.6 billion to improve and maintain the quality of water in the Commonwealth. An estimated 97 percent of Massachusetts’ citizens have benefited from the financial assistance of the Clean Water Trust.

A list of communities and loans impacted by the grants is attached.

華人醫務中心獎學金接受申請

華人醫務中心為鼓勵學生進修，設有獎學金，凡預定今秋入讀大專院校，和華人醫務中心有關連的學生，例如曾是該中心病患，或是該中心員工家屬等，均可申請，截止日期為六月十三日。

查詢詳情可上網 http://scchc.org/。

One of the important resources for the Chinese and Asian community in the Boston Area is the South Cove Community Health Center.  It is located in Quincy and provides professional medical and health care to persons who might otherwise not be able to benefit from regular health care in the US because of language or cultural differences.

They want to award a scholarship to students heading for college this fall who have some ties to their Health Center.  Since this includes some of the people who receive my emails, their brief announcement is below.  If you know of students who could use this, please contact South Cove directly at:   http://scchc.org/

Know a college bound student connected to South Cove Community Health Center (as a patient or dependent of a staff person)? Please tell them about this opportunity for a $1000 scholarship. Deadline is Mon 13 June 2016!