MAYOR WALSH ADDS FIRST OF ITS KIND SOOFA SIGN TO SAMUEL ADAMS PARK

MAYOR WALSH ADDS FIRST OF ITS KIND SOOFA SIGN TO SAMUEL ADAMS PARK

Digital sign is the latest in a series of improvements to civic spaces in Boston, designed to engage visitors and residents

BOSTON - Friday, September 23, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today revealed a solar powered Soofa Sign in Samuel Adams Park, located outside of Faneuil Hall. A companion to the screen unveiled on City Hall Plaza in July, the Soofa Sign will provide visitors to Faneuil Hall and Samuel Adams Park with information on local events and City services, and encourage visitors and residents to engage with each other and the City through social media. Through a partnership between the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) and Soofa, the prototype sign is the first of its kind in the world. "Over the past two years we have been taking steps to improve our city services and make the City more inviting for residents and visitors," said Mayor Walsh. "By providing residents with real-time information that is both helpful and easily accessible, we are building on our commitment to providing excellent City services to the people of Boston. The addition of this sign in one of the most historical places in our city is just one more step towards making Boston more welcoming for all who visit." Boston is the first city in the world to pilot the Soofa Sign. The Soofa Sign provides an avenue for displaying information about municipal services like BOS:311, and can also provide visitors and residents with real-time transit information in the Sign's immediate area. The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics plans to hold a Twitter Idea Chat in the next few months to engage the public on additional ideas for the Sign, including new locations and content, and encourages visitors and residents to suggest additional ideas for public space activation in the city. "We're excited to have been chosen by Soofa to premiere their first-ever solar powered E Ink Sign," said Judy Wang, Innovation Fellow with the New Urban Mechanics. "The Sign encourages visitors and residents to engage with each other through the use of social media, and is another indicator of the many City efforts to activate the spaces in which we work, live and play." The debut of the Soofa Sign on Samuel Adams Park marks the MIT Media Lab spin-off's foray into the digital signage ecosystem. Soofa began piloting the use of their flagship solar-powered benches throughout Boston in 2014, and the benches can be found outside Faneuil Hall and on the Waterfront to just outside the John D. O'Bryant School and in Malcolm X Park. These benches have now been installed in over 20 states in the United States. The sign is part of a series of projects the City has unveiled to activate public spaces, including a "front lawn" on City Hall Plaza, and popup pedestrian spaces in Downtown Crossing. "Soofa is proud to continue this relationship with the City of Boston, a leader in public space activation," said Sandra Richter, Soofa CEO and Co-Founder. "This Soofa Sign installation is another step in connecting citizens with their surroundings through smart city infrastructure."

雙十文化訪問團今晚在瑞吉斯學院演出

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪(前左三)、雲雯蓁(前左二)夫婦，設宴為前任僑委會委員長張富美(前左四)率領的慶祝雙十文化訪問團洗塵。前右起為，潘越雲，謝如鍵，蔣宗壬，陳家驊。左一為余麗媖。(周菊子

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 中華民國慶祝年105雙十國慶文化訪問團今(22)晚7點，將在麻州Weston鎮的瑞吉斯學院(Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA)演出，由前任僑務委員長張富美率領名歌星潘越雲等6名跨世代藝人，與大波士頓僑胞同歡。

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦(左二，一)與蔣宗壬(右起)
、陳家驊歡迎張富美。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉與波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊，港澳之友社主席余麗媖，昭倫公所主席謝如鍵，僑務促進委員陳式儀等人，特地前往羅根機場迎接，代表波士頓僑胞表示歡迎熱忱。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦，特地在Natick鎮Minado餐廳設宴，為訪演團洗塵。

    張富美表示，僑委會今年的雙十國慶文化訪問團從9月10日出發，要到美加15個城市巡演，波士頓是第6站，預定10月11日在西雅圖Bellevue演出最後一場。   

根據僑委會安排的行程，”藝饗”文化訪問團已從9月11日起，依序在加拿大的艾蒙頓，蒙特婁，多倫多，以及美國的芝加哥，底特律等地演出。

儘管今年已78歲，仍精神奕奕的張富美指出，每到一地，僑胞們的熱情，都讓人感動。僑胞對演員們的讚賞，也讓人欣慰，高興。

比波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬還早一年到波士頓求學，在哈佛大學拿到哲學及東亞語言博士學位的張富美，很高興這次有機會又到波士頓舊地重遊，只是舊友之一的李敦厚剛好遠遊，未能一聚，頗為遺憾。

僑委會今年安排出訪的6名跨世代藝人，分別為曾獲金鼎獎，華語金曲三十年逐夢榮譽大獎，以”天天天藍”一曲揚名，1980年出道的潘越雲，民歌王子李明德，擅長模仿台灣搖滾天王伍佰的黃上，有”小張惠妹”之稱的簡語卉，雙目失明的美聲歌手蕭湘婷，以及小丑表演藝術家周子汧等人。他們預定做8段演出，最後大合唱”期待再相逢”。

波士頓地區今年由僑務委員蔣宗壬率領陳式儀，謝如鍵，余麗媖，鄭玉春，曾政銀等人組成的工作團隊，承辦安排，接待演出活動，有紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等支援。邀請台風穩健的江佩蓉出任司儀。蔣宗壬透露，在僑團首長支持下，今年的門票銷售應付開支已綽綽有餘。

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES ONLINE CALCULATOR TO PREDICT CPA CONTRIBUTION

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES ONLINE CALCULATOR TO PREDICT CPA CONTRIBUTION

BOSTON - Thursday, September 22, 2016 - The City of Boston today launched an online calculator that will give homeowners the ability to enter their address to predict their contribution to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) if the ballot question passes in November. The Community Preservation Act would create a fund to support affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space initiatives in Boston. It would also establish a local Community Preservation Committee to review project proposals and recommend projects to the City Council for approval. "We are committed to creating a city government that is transparent and efficient for our residents, and this new calculator will give homeowners the ability to easily predict their contribution if the Community Preservation Act passes in November," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I look forward to continuing our work with the City Council and our community partners as we study the CPA's potential to invest in affordable housing, our parks and to preserve Boston's history." Revenue for Community Preservation Fund projects in Boston would be raised through a local real estate tax surcharge of 1 percent beginning in fiscal year 2018. The new online calculator shows what the surcharge would have been using data from fiscal year 2016. The 1 percent surcharge is applied to a revised net tax owed on the property, not the assessed value of the property. To calculate a revised net tax, the first $100,000 is automatically deducted from the assessment of all properties. Taxpayers do not need to file for this exemption. Next, any personal and/or residential exemptions, where applicable, are deducted and then the standard tax rates is applied to this reduced value. The 1 percent surcharge would apply to this revised net tax amount. The funds from CPA would provide a stream of revenue to support affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space initiatives.  Individual communities can decide on the distribution of funds across the three areas covered under the CPA, as long as each area -- open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing -- each receive at least 10 percent of the total available funds.   New City revenue from the surcharge is estimated to be $16.5 million annually, and has the potential to leverage millions more in state funding every year. The average homeowner would pay an additional $28 per year.

華人醫務中心進摩頓市計畫受挫

(Boston Orange 周菊子摘要整理報導)摩頓市計畫委員會9月21日晚以6比3票，否決了華人醫務中心進駐摩頓市的計畫，亞裔社區近年在摩頓市的快速發展，擴張，摩頓市耆英中心的乒乓球衝突事件是否導火線，值得探討。

       華人醫務中心進昆士市服務以來，備受好評，鑒於摩頓市近年亞裔人口增長快速，該中心和EA Fish發展公司合作，提出了在查理士街(Charles Street)11-17號，建造一棟綜合用途大樓的計畫。

        這發展計畫預定為一座6層高大樓，包括華人醫務中心分部，103戶公寓住宅單位，一個開放給公眾使用的社區室，另外付給摩頓市25萬元，用在將來保存或建造可負擔住宅上。

        華人醫務中心行政主任衛優俊(Eugene Welch)早前在一封公開信中指出，摩頓市內約有2500到3000人搭乘橘線地鐵到該中心位於波士頓華埠的診所，尋求在文化、語言上，可讓他們感到更自在的診所。華人醫務中心因此早就有意進摩頓市服務，只是礙於各方面因素，直到可以和EA Fish公司合作後，才向摩頓市政府提出了這一發展計畫。為順利推動計畫，他們決定不單只不向摩頓市政府申請補助，還將花500萬元把該中心服務帶進摩頓市，包括斥資100萬元來聘請全職醫生、護士，醫療助理等提供服務。

        根據美國人口統計調查局資料，摩頓市總人口約6萬，亞裔14,338人，約占23.8%，其中華裔約8,759人，所佔比率也已高達14.5%。

        從人口比率來看，亞裔在摩頓市應該已有舉足輕重的份量，但9月21日晚，摩頓市計劃委員會就華人醫務中心發展計畫申請特別許可一案，舉行公聽會時，卻以6比3的懸殊比例，否決了提案。

        在摩頓市創辦了華林太極功夫學校的余翠梅，已取得擔任校長資格，有意開辦創意學校的蘇敬恩等人，對摩頓市計劃委員會在這公聽會有將近200人出席下，仍然做出這樣的投票決定，都感到很失望。    

代表摩頓市的麻州眾議員Steve Ultrino在9月23日發出一份新聞稿，文中所提的可負擔住
宅  Monsignor Neagle，也座落在查理士街上。

Monsignor Neagle Celebrates Two Decades of Affordable Housing for Malden Seniors

MALDEN – In 1996, an apartment building opened on Charles Street in Malden with the goal of providing low-income housing opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities.

For many affordable housing developments, twenty years is a long time, often seeing high turnover among residents and management. But for Monsignor Neagle, it is the stability and sense of community that brought more than 70 people together this week as the apartment building celebrated its twentieth anniversary.

Monsignor Neagle, which is managed by Maloney Properties, houses about 85 residents in 5 one-bedroom units. At least a dozen residents who attended the 20th anniversary celebration were original tenants of the building when it opened in August 1996.

Though the building has changed, it has remained true to its mission. Today, 100% of its units are still low-income rooms subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. All residents are age 62 and up, and the majority of them stay for years.

To recognize the building’s success, Representative Steve Ultrino (D – Malden) presented a citation from the House of Representatives to the Monsignor Neagle community in recognition of their twentieth anniversary. Representative Ultrino, who has been on the board of Monsignor Neagle Apartments since 2005, said he talks about the community’s success when discussing housing matters on Beacon Hill.

“Affordable housing is a priority for me in the Legislature, and vital to Malden residents who are getting squeezed out by rising housing costs,” said Representative Ultrino. “Being a part of Monsignor Neagle over the last eleven years has been a wonderful experience, and it’s something I bring with me to the State House. It’s one thing to talk about affordable housing as a policy matter, but it’s important to also know how to roll up your sleeves and work on making it a reality on the ground in your district.”

Property Manager Janet Schifano, who has worked at Monsignor Neagle Apartments for fifteen years, said it was a team effort that has kept the housing complex going strong. “This is the result of a group effort of the management staff and the residents all working together to make this wonderful community happen,” she said.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Support for edX MicroMasters Programs

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Support for edX MicroMasters Programs

BOSTON – Today the Baker-Polito Administration and public higher education leaders announced support for the efforts of edX, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit online learning destination founded by Harvard and MIT, which recently launched 19 MicroMasters programs to help students advance their careers and offer a path to an accelerated Master’s program. These courses are designed to be an easily accessible, faster way to build targeted professional skills and pathways to credits. The Baker-Polito Administration plans to work with the Department of Higher Education and University of Massachusetts to develop recommendations, such as a pilot program within the administration, to support this effort and bolster skill-building and more affordable education choices.

“Lieutenant Governor Polito and I are excited about the opportunity edX’s MicroMasters program presents for investing in one of the Commonwealth’s strongest assets – our talented workforce,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This partnership will allow our great public and private colleges and universities to employ the latest technology to offer students more choices, curb the cost of higher-education, and ultimately strengthen our position as a national leader in online education.”

Governor Baker is directing Secretary of Education Jim Peyser and Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore to coordinate with the Department of Higher Education, the University of Massachusetts, and the Commonwealth’s Human Resources Division to develop recommendations for the following areas:

  

1.     Piloting structured professional development opportunities in 2-3 state agencies through edX MicroMasters programs, to build team skills and provide qualified staff with a head start on a full Master’s degree;

2.     Encouraging and supporting individual state employees to build their professional skills and credentials through job-relevant MicroMasters programs;

3.     Evaluating the feasibility of the Commonwealth’s public universities accepting MicroMasters credentials as credit for prior learning in applicable graduate programs;

4.     Co-sponsoring with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the University of Massachusetts, and edX, a working group or forum, involving leaders from higher education, major employers, and education entrepreneurs to consider how Massachusetts can accelerate the development and adoption of stackable “Micro-credentials,” at both graduate and undergraduate levels, to address critical skill shortages in the workforce and to improve the accessibility and affordability of post-secondary credentials.

“I am thrilled to work with higher education leaders from both the public and private sectors to explore ways we can offer more flexible and affordable choices for students, as well as build relevant career competencies to ensure a more effective workforce,” said Education Secretary Jim Peyser. “Massachusetts is already a leader in education and educational technology, and these programs will be one more tool to prepare students and employees for the 21st century workplace.”

“This innovative program will allow us to provide new learning opportunities to the commonwealth’s workforce,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore. “We look forward to piloting some of edX’s new offerings to help build the professional skills of our state employees while offering a valuable credential that could lead to a graduate degree.”

“Massachusetts is a world leader in both higher education and in technology-based innovation, and we are excited to collaborate with the new offerings created by edX,” said Board of Higher Education Chairman Chris Gabrieli. “We look forward to working with stakeholders across the Commonwealth including both private and public higher education as well as employers and residents to harness the most powerful ways to help all of our citizens gain the skills they need and want.”

“This is an innovative approach to education, and we are proud to have it come from within Massachusetts” said Carlos E. Santiago, Commissioner of Higher Education. “We are always looking for new and effective ways to prepare students for high-skilled opportunities in Massachusetts, and I look forward to working with higher education leaders to discuss how we can use these new programs to our full advantage and the benefit of students and the academic community across the Commonwealth.”

“As a leading provider of online education, UMass understands how dynamic this emerging market is,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “We look forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration with edX in order to increase the rate of innovation in this field and to strengthen Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in higher education.”

“As a global edtech company founded and based in Massachusetts, we are passionate about education innovation, and honored to be working with the Commonwealth to help Massachusetts residents improve their lives and advance their careers,” said Anant Agarwal, edX CEO and MIT Professor. “This new collaboration will help further our mission to offer flexible and affordable education to learners, employees, and employers in Massachusetts and beyond.”

  

About EdX

EdX is a nonprofit, open-source learning destination offering online courses from more than 100 member institutions, composed of both leading global universities and colleges, and a diverse group of prominent organizations from around the world. Founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and based in Cambridge, MA, USA, edX is focused on transforming online and classroom learning through groundbreaking methodologies, game-like educational experiences and cutting-edge research on an open-source platform.

About MicroMasters

MicroMasters is a series of courses designed to launch or advance careers and offer a path to an accelerated Master’s program. Faster, flexible and free to try, MicroMasters provides access to advanced education for everyone, everywhere. Created by prestigious universities and offered in the most in-demand fields, MicroMasters programs are recognized by companies like Walmart, GE and IBM for real job relevancy and provide deeper learning in a specific career area. MicroMasters are offered on edX.org, the nonprofit online learning destination founded by Harvard and MIT. More information can be found atwww.edx.org/micromasters. 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Solar Powered Mobile Device Charging Stations at Public Facilities

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Solar Powered Mobile Device Charging Stations at Public Facilities

WEST SPRINGFIELD – September 22, 2016 – At an unveiling at the Big E Fair, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the future installation of solar-powered public charging and WiFi hotspot stations for mobile devices at 13 public facilities across Massachusetts. The project is the result of a partnership between the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to expand the use of innovative, sustainable technology at state facilities while providing the public with convenient power solutions at outdoor recreational centers including beaches and playgrounds.

“Technology plays a critical role in supporting our daily lives, and the installation of thirteen solar-powered mobile device charging stations within the state park system will increase the accessibility of these locations allowing families to spend more time enjoying the state’s natural resources,” said Governor Charlie Baker.“Massachusetts has a long, proud history of supporting innovative ideas, and these public stations serve as the latest example of our dedication to providing inventive solutions for the public to directly benefit from.”

“Massachusetts leads the nation in clean energy innovation, where promising ideas are set into motion within communities across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “It is essential that we foster an environment that not only embraces new and developing technologies, but also serves an important role in our day to day lives.”

The project, funded by an award of $96,850 from DCR and MassCEC to Somerville-based WrightGrid LLC for purchase of the units as well as annual service and maintenance fees, includes 13 Model Z solar-powered charging stations that provide users with free charging and WiFi connectivity. Each unit will have 10 secure cell phone lockers with universal charging cables and are able to charge over 95 percent of the mobile devices on the market, including all Apple (iOS) and Android devices.

“By installing thirteen solar-powered charging stations at popular public facilities, the Baker-Polito Administration is sending a clear message that it supports the continued development of renewable technologies that will clearly benefit generations of people,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Making innovative, environmentally-friendly services available to the public, especially children, will provide people with increased accessed to the natural world, which will in turn create an environment enabling visitors to foster a true love for nature.”

In addition to the unit installed outside of the Massachusetts State Building on the grounds of the Big E Fair, units will be installed at the following locations:

·         Artesani Playground and Wading Pool - Boston

·         Constitution Beach - Boston

·         Southwest Corridor Park - Boston

·         Castle Island - South Boston

·         Murphy Rink - South Boston

·         Nickerson State Park - Brewster

·         Lynch Family Skate Park - Cambridge

·         Nantasket Beach Reservation - Hull

·         Nahant Beach Reservation - Nahant

·         Wollaston Beach - Quincy

·         Salisbury Beach Reservation - Salisbury

·         Horseneck Beach Reservation - Westport

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is pleased to provide visitors to our state beaches, forests, rinks, skate parks and campgrounds with an innovative way to stay digitally connected while enjoying the Commonwealth’s many outdoor recreational opportunities,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “I hope and expect that many will benefit from an improved user experience in our state parks, as evidenced by the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to this project.”

“This funding helps continue the growth of the thriving clean energy economy in Massachusetts,” saidMassCEC Interim CEO Stephen Pike. “By providing market opportunities to local small businesses, we can realize economic benefits here in the Commonwealth while offering products that enhance the visitor experience at our state facilities.”

“The Baker-Polito Administration is connecting the bridge between the enjoying the digital word and the Commonwealth’s natural resources by providing clean energy means to attract the public to our treasured state properties,” said State Representative Paul A. Schmid (D-Westport). “With the development of this project, residents and visitors to Westport and Horseneck Beach will literally have clean, inventive technologies at their fingertips. I truly thank the Administration and the work that EEA, DCR, and MassCEC continue to do to maintain and improve our environmental landscape.”

“I commend the Baker-Polito Administration for their commitment to enhancing public access to renewable technology,” said State Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport). “Installing charging stations and public WiFi at Horseneck Beach will help better equip our community’s ability to couple the needs of technologically-driven consumers with maintaining the use of our natural and recreational facilities.”

“This is great news,” said State Representative James Kelcourse (R-Amesbury). “These types of investments in the community make sense and help make Salisbury Beach an even more attractive place to visit.”

“Constitution Beach is among East Boston’s greatest natural resources,” said State Senator Joseph Boncore (D-Winthrop). “Investments in new technologies, such as solar charging stations, are critical to the continued growth of the neighborhood and protecting our environment for generations to come.”

WrightGrid designs and manufactures industrial strength power products to enhance mobile connectivity. The Model Z is its first product deployed for public use.

“I speak for the entire WrightGrid team when I say we are extremely excited to partner with the Governor's Office, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, MassCEC, and DCR to make our solar cell phone charging stations available to the public,” said Ryan Wright, Founder and CEO of WrightGrid. “We could to have asked for more supportive partners, and through their efforts, we’re now able to provide convenient power and connectivity solutions across the Commonwealth, demonstrating how Massachusetts is leading the way for the adoption of renewable energy in new and creative ways.”

Community Listening Session with AAPI Older Adults 9/29

White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging to Host Community Listening Session with AAPI Older Adults, Caregivers, and Professionals
Representatives from federal agencies to share information on government programs

Boston, MA— On Thursday, September 29th, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders New England Regional Network, housed within the Department of Education, will host a community listening session with federal government agencies from 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England, 90 Tyler Street, Boston, MA 02111. Agency representatives will discuss their agencies’ programs and services aimed at assisting older adults, caregivers, and professionals.

The listening session will include sessions that:
• Identify the needs, challenges, and barriers for older adults, caregivers, family members, and professionals
• Discuss strategies on how to address these issues
• Share information on government services
Credentialed media interested in attending should RSVP by 5:00pm EDT on Wednesday, September 28th. Please RSVP to helly.lee@ed.gov. Media confirmed to attend should arrive no later than 8:30am EDT on Thursday, September 29th, 2016.
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, housed within the Department of Education, works to improve the quality of life for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the nation through increased access to and participation in federal programs. For more information, go to www.whitehouse.gov/aapi.