Washington Monthly Names BHCC Among Best Colleges for Adult Learners

Washington Monthly Names BHCC Among Best Colleges for Adult Learners

BOSTON, August 30, 2017 — Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) was named one of “The Twelve Most Innovative Colleges for Adult Learners” by Washington Monthly. The article appeared within the publication’s 2017-2018 College Rankings, an annual report released as the September/October 2017 issue.

Just breaking the top 50, the College ranked 49 nationally among the publication’s ranking of “Best Colleges for Adults Learners,” but it was BHCC’s holistic approach to serving the needs of its students that caught the attention of reporter Joshua Alvarez.

The College takes “a particularly innovative approach to a problem that is startlingly common among community college students: hunger,” he said, pointing to a recent study that found 67% of community college students in America are “food insecure.”

Within the article, Alvarez highlights BHCC’s implementation of One Solid Meal, a program that provides free cafeteria meals and food gift cards to students, and the College’s on-campus branch of Single Stop, a national nonprofit organization that provides students with resources for healthcare, taxes, housing, food and financial aid.

Adult Learners, students 25 years or older, constitute approximately 40% of the overall population of college-goers, but according to Alvarez, most colleges and universities have not adapted to the trend.

“Elite colleges don’t make the cut,” he said, pointing to the majority of college-level courses at these institutions being scheduled midday, over evening and weekend options. “It’s the unheralded schools that are figuring it out.”

Beyond meeting basic needs such as food and housing, Alvarez notes BHCC’s commitment to the Open Educational Resources (OER) Degree Initiative as a way to further reduce costs for its students. OER is a growing national effort to create college courses and degree programs that use only freely accessible, openly licensed textbooks and other media instead of the usual expensive proprietary materials.

AG HEALEY RECOVERS $210,000 FOR DRIVERS FROM UBER SUBSIDIARY

AG HEALEY RECOVERS $210,000 FOR DRIVERS FROM UBER SUBSIDIARY

Leasing Company Overcharged for Toll Fees

            BOSTON – Hundreds of Massachusetts Uber drivers have received more than $210,000 in reimbursements and account credits after they were overcharged by a car leasing service for duplicative and erroneous tolls and related fees, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Through an assurance of discontinuance, Xchange Leasing, LLC – a subsidiary of Uber – has reimbursed 336 Massachusetts Uber drivers for the full amount of the overcharges, including a 20 percent additional payment to make drivers whole for any time or effort they put into obtaining the refunds.

“Xchange Leasing promised to help drivers earn a living, but their shoddy conduct hurt vulnerable workers,” said AG Healey. “This settlement recovers all of the improper charges for drivers.”

Xchange Leasing primarily leases vehicles to individuals who want to drive for Uber, many of whom may otherwise be unable to obtain credit or lease a vehicle. Lease payments and related charges are typically deducted from the driver’s Uber earnings.

The AG’s Office began an investigation after the Metro West Consumer Assistance Office, one of the Local Consumer Programs funded by the AG’s Office, received complaints from several drivers alleging that Xchange Leasing was deducting excessive amounts from their Uber earnings for toll-related charges. The AG’s Consumer and Advocacy and Response Division received other similar complaints.

The AG’s investigation found that Xchange Leasing at times charged drivers as much as two or three times for each legitimate toll fee. In addition, improper toll-related penalties were being charged to drivers because the company failed to pay the actual toll charges on time, causing late fees to accrue. Xchange Leasing in some instances overpaid E-Z Pass and then failed to return the refunds to the drivers’ accounts. The company also failed to provide accurate records and account information to drivers about their charges and earning deductions.

The amount of each driver’s reimbursement is linked to the amount they were billed, averaging more than $600 per driver. Through this settlement, Xchange Leasing will also pay a $40,000 penalty to the AG’s Local Consumer Aid Fund, which funds the office’s Local Consumer Programs and Face-to-Face Mediation programs.

Xchange Leasing fully cooperated with the investigation. The company sent letters to the identified drivers outlining the refunds and credits and subsequently issued checks. Xchange Leasing has also implemented process changes and financial controls that will prevent these or similar violations in the future.

This matter was handled by Kim McDonald of the AG’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division and Gary Klein, Senior Trial Counsel in the AG’s Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau.

波士頓華埠牌樓電影節落幕 甄子丹父母聯袂現身

甄子丹的父母，甄雲龍(右二)，武藝大師邁寶嬋(中)與徒弟黃修忻
博士(右起)，Jean Lukitsh，李政欣博士等人專程出席。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)今年的華埠牌樓電影節，8月27日落幕。影片主角甄子丹的父母雙雙到會，父親甄雲龍致詞，母親創辦的麥寶禪武藝協會示範功夫，為本屆電影節增添更濃本地氣息。

今年選映的3部影片，一部是伍少文執導的”我的中國生活”紀錄片，兩部是甄子丹主演的功夫片，”葉問3”和”新流星蝴蝶劍”。

賣寶嬋武藝協會功夫班成員和亞美社區發展協會工作人員合影。
(周菊子攝)

伍少文是知名度正擴增中的紀錄片導演。他拍製的”我的中國生活”一片，連航空公司都收納進機上影片放映名單。亞美社區發展協會執行長劉安琪就是在飛機上看到該片的。前年他應波士頓亞美電影節之邀，回波士頓隨片登台後，在大波士頓亞裔社團中大受歡迎，一連接到好些個拍片邀約。

甄子丹是星島日報波士頓版負責人甄雲龍與武藝大師麥寶嬋的兒子，曾往少林深造功夫，轉赴香港電影圈發展，從演員成為導、演雙棲，如今不但在國際影壇上佔有一席之地，更被香港影劇記者稱為”宇宙第一強”，有著逾億票房身價。

星島日報波士頓版負責人，也是電影巨星甄子丹之父甄雲龍，在華埠
牌樓電影節上講話。(周菊子攝)

伍少文和甄子丹都是在波士頓長大的華裔。波士頓華埠牌樓電影節今年只選映了他們兩人的電影，有如特意展現大波士頓華人在電影界的成就。

亞美社區發展協會AVoice的青少年，介紹該會活動。(周菊子攝)

            甄雲龍在華埠牌樓電影節閉幕式中致詞。他說有許多觀眾問過他”是如何把甄子丹培養成為電影巨星的”。這天，他第一次公開統一回應。他說，要培養一個人，有很多條件，有個人，家庭，社區，整個社會大環境等等的條件。當年功夫潮流興起，甄子丹有音樂細胞，又出身於功夫世家，都是原因。但他們沒想過只把甄子丹單純的培養為功夫高手，而是要求他追尋武術文化。到底，工夫是短暫的，練功夫的人年紀一大，就打不動了，文化卻可以傳承，延伸，交流，擴展。所以他們強調武術文化，藉由電影成為綜合性的藝術，娛樂，以及記載歷史，教育的手段。

黃修忻博士(前左一)率領麥寶嬋武藝協會成員示範太極。(周菊子攝)

            在8月27日晚的閉幕式中，先有麥寶禪武藝協會的學員們在大師姊黃修忻博士，Jean Lukitsh兩人帶領下示範太極武藝，接著甄雲龍致詞，亞美社區發展協會AVoice的兩名青少年分享他們參加AVoice項目，對華埠社區，歷史，有更多了解，對華人社區有更強歸屬感，希望能為華埠做更多貢獻的心路歷程轉變。他們也呼籲支持者捐款，贊助AVoice項目的擴大辦理。

波士頓市第2區市議員候選人Kora R Vakil到華埠電影節活動上拜票。
(周菊子攝)

甄子丹在"新流星蝴蝶劍"這部片中一景。(周菊子攝)

全美亞裔婦女會慶11週年

【亞裔婦女會11週年慶  表揚中華國粹社區精英】

駐波士頓臺北經文處副處長陳銘俊(左三)和波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉

(右三)頒贈感謝狀及題辭以表彰全美亞裔婦女會和會長黎雯(中)的貢獻

全美亞裔婦女會於8月27日在華埠舉辦第11屆慶祝餐舞會，並表揚本地區中華文化國寶級人物與社區精英領袖，也安排歌唱、舞蹈等文娛節目，共計200餘位僑學各界人士參加，場面熱絡。

全美亞裔婦女會會長黎雯(前排右六)介紹本年接受表揚的中華文化

國寶級人物與社區精英領袖

駐波士頓臺北經文處副處長陳銘俊和波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉應邀出席致賀，並分別代表處長賴銘琪以及僑務委員會委員長吳新興博士，頒贈感謝狀及題辭以表彰會長黎雯對中華民國政府的長期支持，以及致力推展女性自主權能與性別平權的貢獻；歐宏偉也特別推崇今年接受表揚的書法名家吳紹營老師，他在今年波士頓地區正體漢字文化節系列活動中，以書法展現正體中文之美，對於推展我國傳統文化貢獻卓著。

全美亞裔婦女會會長黎雯(前中)鼓勵女性勇於展現才華，為自己活出

精彩的人生

另外，麻州州長貝克、昆西市長、波士頓市長華殊和市議長吳弭等人，也提前致贈賀狀，在會中由會長黎雯、內科醫生余國峰博士、明記鮮雞店店東譚達兒、國樂大師郭雅志和星樂團代表等人代表接受。

黎雯表示，今年特別以「輝煌絕代、創意匯集」為題，慶祝婦女會成立11週年，鼓勵女性勇於展現才華，為自己活出精彩的人生，且該會成立的宗旨也要擴大性別平權的理念，因此，也要表揚中華國粹代表性人物和華裔社區中各領域的傑出人士，希望亞裔各界在波士頓主流社會，也能發光發熱。(圖與文均由波士頓僑教中心提供)

波士頓市長的火花會新委員名單出爐 三名華人

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2017- 2018 SPARK BOSTON COUNCIL Members poised to inspire civic leadership among Boston's young adults

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 29, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the newly selected Mayor's 2017- 2018 SPARK Boston Council. The diverse, 38-member group will spend the next 12 months working to continue to open up new lines of communication between young adults and leaders in City government. "Having the largest amount of millennials of any other U.S. city, it is critical to continue to make sure the next generation of Boston residents are able to be civically-engaged and offer their opinions and potential solutions to problems of today and tomorrow," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to working with these talented young people and hearing their ideas on how to make Boston a better city for all Bostonians." The SPARK Boston Council is comprised of 38 Boston residents, who live in 20 different neighborhoods across Boston. This group includes entrepreneurs, designers, social workers, restaurant professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, community organizers, veterans and representatives from many other industries across the public and private sectors. Approximately a third of the Council are native Bostonians, while others grew up as far away as France, Cape Verde, India and Spain. "SPARK Boston offers Boston millennials the chance to be characters in the story of our ever-changing city, not just readers," said Amy Mahler, SPARK Boston Director. "This year's Council will create new programming and resources to answer the policy and social needs of our peers, advocate for and connect millennials to City leaders and programs, and engage our generation in Boston's civic life." SPARK Boston, housed in the Mayor's Civic Engagement Cabinet, is responsible for advising Mayor Walsh on issues affecting the millennial population and working with City departments and community stakeholders to help solve those issues. The Council holds general meetings once a month and puts on programs focusing on connecting millennials with these partners. Programs include neighborhood meet-ups, salary negotiation workshops, and Chief Chats, a new series of events which allows citizens to hear directly from Mayor Walsh's Cabinet Chiefs on a variety of issues and ask questions on those subjects. The 2017-2018 Council includes: Alexis Walls, Allston Jackie Lender, Allston Neel Desai, Back Bay Mikaila Waters, Back Bay Michael Winston, Bay Village Paige Friedlander, Beacon Hill Catalina Ocampo, Brighton Patricia Cahill, Brighton Emily Murphy, Charlestown Jenna DeAngelo, Chinatown Agostinha Depina, Dorchester Gabrielle Sims, Dorchester Christopher Walker, Dorchester Yusuf Ali, Dorchester Francis Huynh, Dorchester Kevin Walther, Downtown Crossing Devon Williams, East Boston Daniel Shea, East Boston Siddhi Doshi, Fenway Darcel Hunt-Finegold, Hyde Park Rosa Herrero de Andres, Jamaica Plain Carmel Levy, Jamaica Plain Paul Gels, Jamaica Plain Fernando Rodriguez, Jamaica Plain Shanice Wallace, Mattapan David Wu, Mission Hill Helen Sharma, Mission Hill Rourke Harrington, North End Maggie Walsh, North End Andrea Clavijo, North End Ying Wang, Roslindale Keveisha Robinson- Clark, Roxbury Matt Parker, Roxbury Michael Yu, South Boston Shane Dunn, South Boston Alexandria de Aranzeta, South End Constance Fontanet, South End Michaela Hughes, West Roxbury For more information, visit sparkbos.com.

MAYOR WALSH AND VIETAID CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF UPPER WASHINGTON STREET HOUSING

MAYOR WALSH AND VIETAID CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF UPPER WASHINGTON STREET HOUSING Event marked opening of 35 new units of affordable rental housing and retail space in Dorchester

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 29, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (VietAID), Trinity Management, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, local and state officials, and Upper Washington residents and commercial tenants to celebrate the grand opening for 35 new apartments, and 3,400 square-feet of retail space on Washington Street in Four Corners. The more than $15 million project, developed by the VietAID, created 35 affordable new units of rental housing for families earning 60 percent or less of Area Median Income. The construction project also generated more than 180 construction jobs. "I am proud that the City of Boston's commitment to this project helped create 35 new homes -- homes that will help ensure that the people who help make this neighborhood the thriving, vibrant place it is will be able to stay in their community," said Mayor Walsh. "Boston is lucky to have this exemplary team of builders, designers, and partners who worked so closely together to create more affordable housing for working people in Dorchester." Located in the Four Corners on the site of an abandoned auto-body shop that is within a quarter mile of the new Four Corners/Geneva stop on the Fairmount Line and multiple bus lines, Upper Washington includes two buildings, of three and four stories, on opposite sides of the 322 - 338 block of Washington Street. Both buildings have first floor commercial and community space, with affordable rental units on the upper floors. The project includes five one-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom, and 9 three-bedroom units, all geared toward those earning no more than 60 percent of the area's median income, with some reserved for families earning or less of AMI. The project has provided a new home for nine previously homeless families. It also contains over 3,400 square feet of commercial space, and houses the offices of the Four Corners Main Streets organization and a brand new yoga studio, Four Corners Yoga & Wellness. Surface parking is located in the back and underneath the buildings. "Today, VietAID is pleased to announce the opening of its fifth affordable housing project in Dorchester," said VietAID Board President Kim T. Thai. "The Four Corners project is a mixed used development with 35 affordable housing units including two vibrant community based commercial spaces. We look forward to delivering benefits to the larger Dorchester community and to create more successful affordable housing developments.  We thank our supporters, funders, city, state, and federal agencies in helping us realize our goals." Funding for the more than $15 million rental housing development was made possible through a variety of funding sources, including more than $2 million from the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development and the Neighborhood Housing Trust Fund. Additionally, the project received Federal and State Tax Credits, and Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development contributed more than $2 million in funding. In accordance with the City of Boston's Green Affordable Housing Program, the building utilized several green building design techniques, earning it the distinction of being LEED-Homes Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. "I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to move into my beautiful, brand new apartment with my baby," said Upper Washington resident Dione Teixeira, who also spoke at the event. "My mother and I applied for these apartments, and were both fortunate enough to receive them, so now we are able to live in the same building, making it very easy to support one another. I  was also very pleased with the friendliness and professionalism of the staff at Trinity Management who helped us with the application process." About VietAID The Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (VietAID) was founded in 1994 by members of the Vietnamese American community in Dorchester, to provide comprehensive economic development programs and services to alleviate poverty and advance civic participation in their neighborhood. Since then, VietAID's mission and goals have broadened to focus on building strong and vibrant neighborhoods throughout Dorchester by promoting civic engagement and community building; developing affordable housing and commercial space; providing small business technical assistance and micro-enterprise development; offering high quality child care services and after school programs; and developing community youth leadership.

Governor Baker Appoints Laura Sen to Massport Board

Governor Baker Appoints Laura Sen to Massport Board

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today appointed Laura Sen, the Non-Executive Chairman and former CEO of the BJ’s Wholesale Club, to the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Board of Directors. Mrs. Sen brings over 30 years of experience in retail management, marketing and logistics to Massport.

“Laura Sen’s extensive management, retail and logistics experience will be a welcome addition to the Massport Board of Directors as operations at Massachusetts’ airports and terminal containers continue to grow and expand,” said Governor Baker. “Her leadership skills and success will help guide Massport’s continued growth and ability to meet the needs of businesses large and small throughout Massachusetts and the region.”

“The Massport Board has an important role in guiding our decision-making and helping to establish our strategic goals,” said Secretary of Transportation and Massport Board Member Stephanie Pollack. “We are looking forward to Laura Sen continuing these efforts while bringing a new perspective to the Board. Her decades of retail leadership and expertise in using data to understand what customers want will help inform our governance going forward.”

“We at Pine Street Inn congratulate Laura Sen on her appointment to the Massport board of directors,” said Lyndia Downie, President & Executive Director, Pine Street Inn. “Laura brings a long and successful history in business leadership and has made a significant impact in the nonprofit sector as well. We are grateful for her many years serving in various volunteer roles, 11 years as a board member, and three years as board chair.”

“Passengers have more time at the airport to wait, therefore making the variety and design of concessions at Logan even more important,” said Dan O’Connell, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. “It’s great to add Laura Sen to the Massport Board where her decades of experience in retail as well as her commitment to the community will be put to use.”

Sen’s appointment comes as Michael Angelini, Chairman of the law firm Bowditch & Dewey in Worcester, fulfills his seven-year term on the Board, most recently serving as Chairman.

“Chairman Angelini lent his wealth of knowledge, legal and business expertise and impressive background in public service to Massport,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “We were very fortunate to have him on the Board to help us enhance our strategic planning goals and look forward to welcoming Laura Sen to this new role.”

The Massachusetts Port Authority Board is a seven-member group that oversees Massport, a financially independent authority which owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, the public container and cruise terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, Worcester Regional Airport as well as real estate holdings and public parks in South Boston and East Boston. Board members are not paid for their service. Other Board members include Worcester Sheriff Lew Evangelitis, Duane Jackson, Patricia Jacobs, John Nucci, Sean O’Brien and Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack.

About Laura Sen

As the Non-Executive Chairman of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc., Sen works with other Board Members to oversee the long-term strategic direction of the Westborough-based company. Sen served as the Chief Executive Officer from February, 2009 to January, 2016 and served as its President from January, 2008 until September, 2015. Ms. Sen was responsible for all day-to-day operations and the more than 24,000 employees. Under her leadership, the company grew the number of retail stores in 14 states along the east coast and increased the annual revenues to nearly $11 billion. Sen earned a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College. A Massachusetts native, Sen has been listed on Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in Business and Boston Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women. Sen is a board member on several non-profit organizations including the Pine Street Inn, where she serves as Chairwoman, the Asian-American Civic Association, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Boston City Council Creates Special Committee on Community Preservation Act

Boston City Council Creates Special Committee on Community Preservation Act

The committee will nominate CPC members and oversee its work

Boston - This week the Boston City Council named members of the Special Committee on the Community Preservation Act. This Special Committee will recommend nominees for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to be appointed by the City Council, and will monitor the activities of the CPC to encourage transparency and community input. The Special Committee will be chaired by Councilor Michael F. Flaherty (At-Large), with Councilor Andrea J. Campbell (D-4) serving as Vice Chair.

“The Community Preservation Act gives Boston an important tool to fund much needed projects in our neighborhoods,” said Council President Michelle Wu. “With the issue area expertise that these Councilors bring the the Committee, I am confident in the process they will run to evaluate candidates for the CPC. I look forward to working with them and attending hearings to find the right candidates for the City Council to appoint.”

The funds raised under the provisions of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) will fund projects in Boston for affordable housing, open space, and historical preservation. The funds will be distributed by the nine member CPC. Five of those members are appointed by the Mayor according to state statute and the other four are appointed by the City Council. Of those four seats, one person will be appointed who has experience in development, business, finance, or any combination thereof and one person will be appointed who has expertise in open space, affordable housing, historic preservation, or any combination thereof. The remaining seats will be for two people who have a history of involvement in their local communities.

“I thank Council President Wu for her leadership in creating the Special Committee on the Community Preservation Act, and I look forward to continue working with Councilor Campbell and our colleagues on moving forward to set up the Community Preservation Committee (CPC),” said Councilor Michael F. Flaherty. “The Committee will allow us to go through a comprehensive process in making sure that not only does the CPC reflect the City of Boston, but also that funding is being allocated equitably to improve our city.”

"I am honored to continue partnering with Councilor Flaherty as we establish the Council's Community Preservation Committee, a crucial step toward selecting candidates for the CPC and realizing the incredible benefits of the Community Preservation Act in the City of Boston,” said Councilor Andrea Campbell. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and community to select a diverse group of experts and community-involved leaders to serve on the CPC."

The Special Committee will be assisted by a 90-day Working Group that was also created this week. That group will be made up of community members and stakeholders including representatives of the Yes for a Better Boston coalition.