Hundreds of Toiletries Collected for Kids in Need

Hundreds of Toiletries Collected for Kids in Need

BOSTON, Dec. 23, 2015—Members of District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office donated more than 400 toiletry items on behalf of children and families in need during the holiday season.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office partnered with the Department of Children and Families’ Park Street office in Dorchester to provide families served by the agency with necessities such as soaps, tooth brushes, and other wellness and beauty products.  Suffolk DA staff members donated a total of 405 items that will be distributed to DCF clients.

“Every member of this office as well as the Department of Children and Families works toward the same goal – to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those we serve in order to help them move forward from trauma.  But it’s tough to make a fresh start when you’re in need of basic necessities to look and feel your best,” Conley said.  “With these donated toiletries, we hope to improve the wellbeing of children, teens, and families in need and to offer them a sense of comfort during their time of struggle.”

“The Department is deeply touched by the generosity of the District Attorney’s office. This donation ensures that our Park Street office has an ample supply of new personal care products to give to children when they come into care,” said Andrea Grossman, DCF’s director of public affairs.

The donation drive was overseen by administrative staff assigned to each of Conley’s Superior Court trial teams and the nine district and municipal courts across Suffolk County from Nov. 16 to Dec. 17.  The collected items will be distributed to families served by DCF’s Park Street office.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $300,000 to Buy Local Organizations

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $300,000 to Buy Local Organizations

BOSTON – December 23, 2015 - The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $300,000 in grants to support the efforts of six Buy Local organizations for projects which seek to connect food producers to their surrounding communities in Western, Central, Northeastern and Southeastern Massachusetts.

“Buy Local organizations are committed to the idea that knowing where your food comes from makes both good health and economic sense,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through these grants, this administration demonstrates its commitment to supporting a sustainable local food system while at the same time generating consumer awareness and demand for locally grown food products.”

“The Buy Local program ensures that Massachusetts residents have access to nutritious, locally grown products, and provides opportunities for continued economic and agricultural development throughout the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The grants awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration will provide farmers and food producers with the resources necessary to make nutritious, locally-sourced food options available statewide.”

The Commonwealth’s Buy Local organizations, originally formed to identify and address marketing challenges in specific geographical communities across the Commonwealth, have grown to be known as a sustainable business movement that includes innovative marketing and educational programs.

“This grant funding will allow our regional Buy Local partners to continue to work with DAR to promote and support local agricultural businesses while  also ensuring consumers will have access to nutritious Massachusetts grown products,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux.

The following six projects have been funded through this year’s grants:

Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) -  $69,250 - SEMAP will enhance and strengthen the market position of local farmers and fishermen in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties through collaborative projects, including networking events for local food buyers and producers, and distribution of printed materials as well as efforts to expand the existing local food curriculum in Martha’s Vineyard schools.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) - $59,250 - CISA will increase cash receipts for food producers in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties through design and distribution of printed and electronic educational and informational materials with a new marketing campaign called “local food for all.” CISA will collaborate with Buy Local organizations across Massachusetts.

Central Mass Grown (CMG) - $59,000 - CMG will showcase the agricultural assets of Central Massachusetts locally and state-wide to put more local food on consumers’ tables and increase farmers’ cash sales. Projects will engage Central Massachusetts farmers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and community supporters via an outreach and promotion campaign.

Northeast Harvest - $51,000 - Northeast Harvest will promote agriculture, aquaculture, and farmers’ markets in Essex and Middlesex Counties. Projects will increase the recognition of Massachusetts agriculture and aquaculture via technical assistance, multi-media communication and industry events.

Sustainable Business Network (SBN) - $34,500 - SBN will produce the 7^th annual Boston Local Food Festival in September, 2016, which attracts over 40,000 attendees and engages a diverse local and sustainable group of food producers and food vendors from across the New England region.

Berkshire Grown - $27,000 - Berkshire Grown will provide business assistance to food producers in Berkshire County, and increase both the amount of land being farmed and the number of farmers on the land, through collaboration with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures. 

“The Buy Local program helps to sustain the region’s economy by encouraging Massachusetts residents to purchase locally-grown products from farms, farmers’ markets and other food producers that are based right here in the Commonwealth,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).  “This grant funding will go a long way towards educating the public about the importance of buying local and supporting the state’s agricultural businesses.”

“I applaud the administration's commitment to the Buy Local movement and know these funds will be used wisely and effectively in Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampshire Counties,” said State Representative Paul Mark (D-Peru). “Buy Local organizations like Berkshire Grown and CISA consistently support local farmers, producers, and consumers in a sustainable, locally focused manner and these grants will be very beneficial to helping along those worthwhile efforts.”

“The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership, through the Buy Local grants, has been able to bolster the local economy while providing consumers with fresh, nutritious food grown right in their community,” said State Representative Chris Markey (D-Dartmouth). “A majority of the farms in Massachusetts are family-owned. They are mostly small businesses which continue to be an important economic engine in the Commonwealth. The Baker-Polito Administration has recognized this fact and has continued to support this important and historically significant industry.”

“Buying locally grown food benefits the Commonwealth in many different ways.  Massachusetts residents are able to enjoy fresh and local foods, while boosting the state’s farming industry and helping cut carbon emissions,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer). “The Buy Local program does a fantastic job of promoting buy local initiatives and I am proud to be a supporter.”

“We are so pleased to receive this vital grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources,” said Philip Korman, Executive Director of CISA. “These funds will enable CISA to encourage more of the 700,000 residents of our region to support local agriculture and support collaboration of all ‘Buy Local’ organizations in the state. The impact will be tremendous with more farmers able to make a living and more residents buying from their neighbor farmers, and the result will be stronger farms, local economies and communities.”

Buy Local groups across the Commonwealth offer members and consumers a variety of resources. From technical assistance information to marketing assistance; consumers, farmers, and food producers alike can find resources to help them grow, buy, cook, and eat wholesome locally grown products.

AG HEALEY SUES MAJOR DEBT COLLECTION LAW FIRM OVER WIDESPREAD CONSUMER ABUSES

AG HEALEY SUES MAJOR DEBT COLLECTION LAW FIRM OVER WIDESPREAD CONSUMER ABUSES

AG Alleges Law Firm Routinely Filed Lawsuits Against Consumers without Proof of Debt Owed; Threatened Consumers on Fixed Incomes

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey has sued one of the largest debt collection law firms in Massachusetts and its two owners, alleging that the firm repeatedly sued consumers for debts they did not owe or debts that were inaccurate. The AG alleges the company violated the state’s consumer protection laws in its pursuit of debts and its use of judicial proceedings.

The complaint, filed on Monday in Suffolk Superior Court against Lustig, Glaser, & Wilson, P.C. (the Lustig Firm) and its principal owners Kenneth Wilson and Ronald Lustig, alleges that since 2011, the Lustig Firm filed more than 100,000 debt collection lawsuits in Massachusetts largely based on inaccurate information about unsubstantiated debts owned by national debt buyers. Many of these lawsuits were filed against consumers whose only source of income was social security or other types of income that were legally exempt from court-ordered payment.

As a result of this high-volume litigation, since 2011, the Lustig Firm has obtained judgments against Massachusetts residents in excess of $125 million and pursued consumers on these judgments. 

“We allege that this firm and its owners took advantage of thousands of Massachusetts consumers by demanding money they had no right to collect and on the basis of debts they could not prove,” said AG Healey. “The company used the judicial system to intimidate and harass people, and we are working hard to make sure that this kind of conduct ends and that the company and its owners are held accountable.”

To make their practice possible, the Lustig Firm allegedly relied on simple spreadsheets provided by national debt buyers, which allowed them to process up to thousands of consumer accounts for collection and litigation in a single day. The firm has continued to use these spreadsheets, even though the information provided is often unreliable or incomplete. 

The complaint alleges that the Lustig Firm violated consumer protection laws by:

·         Collecting exempt income: The Lustig Firm threatened consumers who had exempt income, such as social security, disability benefits, and other public assistance, telling them that failure to pay the debt could result in court-ordered payments or garnishment, despite the fact that those sources of income are protected. The firm pursued consumers, often impoverished and elderly, and served some of them with civil arrest warrants.

·         Collecting on inaccurate and unsubstantiated debts: The Lustig Firm frequently demanded payments on old debts without any meaningful proof that the consumer had incurred the debt or that the amount was accurate. Even after learning that their demands against consumers were premised on inaccuracies, the firm regularly continued to pursue consumers. 

·         Filing deceptive lawsuits against consumers: The Lustig Firm sued consumers without any meaningful attorney involvement in the lawsuits. In some cases, when consumers challenged the suits, the firm was unable to obtain proof of their claims and dismissed the case instead.

·         Using false and misleading court filings: The Lustig Firm regularly used sworn statements by debt buyers as proof in its collection lawsuits, despite knowing that these affidavits were often generated by the debt buyer without any meaningful documentation or actual knowledge of the debt.

·         Demanding payment of time-barred debts: The Lustig Firm sued consumers without proof that the alleged debt was within the statute of limitations for bringing a lawsuit.

·         Demanding payment on dismissed lawsuits: The Lustig Firm continued demanding payments on alleged debts even after cases were dismissed in court for lack of proof. In some instances, the firm resumed phone calls to consumers demanding payment within a week of the court’s dismissal. 

This action by the AG’s Office against the Lustig Firm and its owners seeks injunctive relief, restitution to consumers, and civil penalties for violations of the state’s consumer protection laws and debt collection regulations. Consumers with questions or concerns can call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office.

            This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Peter Downing and Jacqueline Rompre and Legal Analyst Sarah Petrie, all of Attorney General Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, Max Weinstein, Chief of the Consumer Protection Division, and Investigator Anthony Crespi. 

GOVERNOR BAKER SIGNS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

GOVERNOR BAKER SIGNS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Economic Development Plan for the Commonwealth Will Create Opportunities for All

Boston –December 23, 2015 – Today Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito endorsed and signed the Commonwealth’s economic development plan, a strategic policy document that will guide the administration’s economic development strategy.

“This economic development plan is an important statement of our administration’s priorities and values,” said Governor Baker. “It creates a framework for connecting residents across the state to economic opportunity, and for unlocking new business growth by pressing Massachusetts’ competitive advantage on a number of fronts.”

“Our administration has prioritized community development across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “This economic development plan reflects our commitment to promoting vibrant communities, and spurring new growth, Cape Cod to the Berkshires.”

The Commonwealth’s economic development plan advances policies that extend new economic opportunities to all the state’s citizens, and its regions. The economic development plan sets a policy framework that will steer the work of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Key priorities of the Commonwealth’s economic development plan include: supporting workforce development strategies that close the skills gap, and connect citizens to economic opportunity; promoting vibrant communities and regions; advancing the development of key industry clusters, and harnessing cluster development to drive job growth in the Commonwealth’s regions; and sharpening the Commonwealth’s competitive position through regulatory reform, and efforts to lower key business costs, such as energy costs.

Massachusetts law requires each new gubernatorial administration to publish an economic development strategy within a year of taking office. The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development will use the policy framework set by this plan to develop and shape specific initiatives that will respond to issues, themes, and priorities highlighted in this plan.

“Over the past year, I have met with residents, business owners and local officials, from communities from Williamstown to Provincetown,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash. “I am proud that their priorities and aspirations are reflected in this economic development plan, which will advance prosperity for citizens, growth for businesses, and vitality for communities.”

The Commonwealth’s economic development plan is the result of one year of robust public engagement. The Baker-Polito administration hosted fourteen public listening sessions across the state, and engaged in thousands of conversations with residents, business owners, municipal officials, state legislators, academic experts, and industry officials. The Governor’s Economic Development Planning Council unanimously endorsed the plan on December 9. A copy of the plan is available on the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development’s website.

AG’S OFFICE AWARDS GRANTS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS FOR GAME CHANGE PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

AG’S OFFICE AWARDS GRANTS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS FOR GAME CHANGE PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Six Organizations Will Participate in the Anti-Violence Initiative

BOSTON — Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that her office has selected six domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA) prevention organizations to receive more than $250,000 in grant funding to partner with and provide support to schools participating in Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership.

The grant recipients are: Womanshelter/Compañeras in Holyoke, Pathways for Change, Inc. in partnership the YWCA of Central Massachusetts in Worcester, the YWCA of Greater Lawrence, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence Inc. in Waltham, New Hope, Inc. in Attleboro and Independence House, Inc. in Hyannis.

“These organizations do exceptional work providing prevention education to communities and resources to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across our state,” said AG Healey. “As we begin training students and school personnel in the fundamentals of healthy relationships and how to recognize signs of abuse, it’s important that schools are supported with access to crisis intervention and counseling services. These and many other great organizations are on the front lines, and they bring an invaluable expertise to this initiative.”

“Today’s announcement underscores the importance of private-public partnerships, including the expertise of local sexual and domestic violence programs, to support prevention efforts,” said Debra J. Robbin, Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc. “It’s clear that Game Change is serious about changing the way that issues of gender-based violence will be addressed in our schools and communities. We congratulate the grant recipients and participating schools and know that we will all learn from their experience about how best to engage students, teachers and administrators, coaches, and parents to create a culture free of violence and abuse for our youth.”

“Ending sexual and domestic violence is a top priority for our team and our foundation,” said Robert Kraft. “We are committed to supporting both prevention and access to resources for survivors, and are proud to partner with these organizations in that work.”

During phase one, staff from each organization will participate in the regional trainings in their area alongside participants from selected schools. The trainings will be conducted by Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), a nationwide leader in addressing violence prevention. Run by the Center for Sport in Society at Northeastern University, MVP uses a sports-themed curriculum and employs collegiate athletes and former professional athletes as trainers.

The AG’s Office will select 30 high schools to receive more in-depth training for school staff, students, parents and administrators for phase two of the program, to begin in the fall. During phase two, the DV/SA provider in each region will help train school staff and parents and will work with school administrators on policies and services for students and families dealing with violence. Students from each of those schools will also be trained to become peer leaders who can teach younger students about healthy relationships and bystander intervention.

The AG’s Office will continue to partner with other area sexual assault and domestic violence provider organizations to ensure schools have the resources they need to help students combat relationship violence.

The AG’s Office earlier this month announced the 98 schools that will participate in the Game Change program.

波士頓皮革區12/22晚發生火警

12/22 星期二晚上十時左右，波士頓華埠附近的皮革區，在745號Atlantic Avenue 七樓發生火警，大約有八部消防車到達現場，有兩部架起雲梯直達七樓，另有部份消防員接駁水喉從大門進入，擾攘二十分鐘左右，於十時卅分左右收隊，無傷亡報告，附近交通曾經封鎖，該大廈對面的南站長途巴士站不受影響，乘客出入要繞道，短時間不方便。
中華公所的華埠治安巡邏隊員，曾在現場附近協助維持交通。
(謝中之提供）

僑教中心冬至搓湯圓

波士頓華僑文教服務中心12月22日在中心大廳舉辦冬至搓湯圓活動，由志工僑務促進委員鄭玉春帶領30位志工親手搓湯圓。
駐波士頓辦事處賴銘琪夫婦應邀出席，致詞並鼓勵及感謝志工的支持。五彩的湯圓色彩繽紛，好看又好吃，所有參與的志工均興趣盎然，共迎佳節團園溫馨祝福之意。

（波士頓華僑文教中心提供）

波士頓經文處、僑教中心聖誕節期間放假一日半

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處及僑教中心12月24日下午放假半日、25日放假乙日，原定當日還書者，可順延一週歸還，若有不便，尚請見諒。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處，本(2015)年12月25日（週五）為耶誕節，將比照美聯邦政府機構於12月24日下午放假半日、25日放假乙日，該處領務部門將於24日中午12時起停止對外開放。僑民如需緊急協助，可打急難救助專線電話：617-650-9252，該處將儘速提供協助。

BOSTON RECEIVES GOOGLE eCITY AWARD FOR MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON RECEIVES GOOGLE eCITY AWARD FOR MASSACHUSETTS

Boston is Recognized for Strong Online Business Community, Boosting Consumers' Connectivity Online

BOSTON "I am honored that Boston was recognized by Google for our commitment to creating a strong digital platform for our business community," said Mayor Walsh. "Our businesses are critical to the livelihood of our City. We have a lot of talented entrepreneurs, spanning from online communities, regionally and nationally, to local businesses that are in the center of our neighborhoods. What is most important is building our economy and boosting innovation in our city - it shapes and extends our reach in the global economy, bringing prosperity to Boston." "We're proud to recognize this growing entrepreneurial-spirit-and the role that it plays in both creating jobs and sustaining local economies," said Emily Harris, Marketing Manager for Google's Let's Put Our Cities on the Map Program.  "With 97-percent of Internet-users looking for products and services online, it's clear that success is about being connected." Google worked with an independent research firm IPSOS to analyze the online strength of local small businesses in cities in all fifty states and the Google and Boston is among the ranks of America's leading cities in the digital economy.  Recently, Mayor Walsh launched the "#5onMain" challenge to inspire holiday shoppers to support Main Streets and other local commercial districts during the holiday season.  Participants in the challenge pledge to support local businesses at least five times during the holiday season, either purchasing gifts, dining, or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts.  Holiday shoppers are encouraged to accept the challenge via social media, using the hashtag "#5onMain". For residents and visitors who are interested in shopping in-store, Mayor Walsh is offering the opportunity to park for free for two hours at all 8,000 metered parking spaces on the day of their choice from present day until the end of the day on Saturday, January 2nd.  The ParkBoston app must be used and code 617617 should be entered to take advantage of this offer.  The free ParkBoston app is available through the App Store or Google Play for iPhone and Android users, and a pay-by-voice option is offered for those without web-enabled phones.  Each ParkBoston account will be allowed to use this special code once.  ParkBoston users are encouraged to share this information with family and friends so that as many people as possible can visit their favorite restaurant, shop or theater in the City of Boston over the holidays. For more information on the eCity initiative, please visit our website at www.google.com/ecities.

American Legion Boston Chinatown Post donated toys to 133 children in BCNC

BOSTON – On December 18, 2015, The American Legion Boston Chinatown Post 328 collected toys and donated them to 133 children enrolled in BCNC programs. Santa arrived and brought joy to all! This is the 3^rd Toys for Tots drive for the American Legion Post 328.

波士頓慈濟 1/16 歲末祝福

時至歲末，慈濟波士頓聯絡處適逢二十周年，將於二零一六年一月十六日(星期六)下午二時至五時舉辦「歲末祝福暨波士頓慈濟二十周年活動」，誠摯敬邀各位大德家人與僑團朋友們共襄盛舉。屆時將有 證嚴法師對所有弟子與社區的感恩與祝福﹑音樂與手語節目表演﹑波士頓慈濟二十周年回顧﹑燈燈相續祈禱﹑福慧紅包與結緣品分享，會後並提供健康素點以饗來賓。

回顧波士頓慈濟二十年來的點點滴滴，除了感恩還是感恩。除了感恩 證嚴上人創造慈濟世界，更是感恩曾經在波士頓駐足的所有家人，因為有您的共同參與及成就，「愛 一直都在」，波士頓慈濟才能走到這一天。

今年 證嚴上人期許我們以「大愛之道廣披寰宇，長情之路古往今來」，我們將繼續努力，希望日日年年都能秉持「聞思修 信願行」的精神，繼續迎接下一個二十年。

願以一念至誠廣邀所有法親家人與諸位菩薩，一起蒞臨慈濟波士頓會所，分享我們的感恩與喜悅，並虔誠祈求天下無災無難。

CYPN 500人滑雪開泳趴樂上雲霄

12月的第二个周末（12/11-12/13），华人青年协会（CYPN）携手波士顿留学生网（Boston Students）在滑雪圣地Killington Ski Resort举办了声势浩大的五百人首滑活动。周五晚上首滑大队从波士顿，纽约，新泽西先后出发，来到了Rutland小镇上包括Holiday  Inn, Hampton Inn在内的多家旅馆。

周六周日两天滑雪爱好者们很早就迫不及待地来到Killington。今年的雪期有些延迟，Killington只有1/4的雪道开放，尽管如此CYPN的小伙伴们还是热情满满地换上装备，登上上山的缆车。滑雪新手们很多选择在新手区Snowshed上练习技术，很大一部分新手选择了killington ski school提供的新手课程，也有不少新人在老手的指点下独自练习；滑雪老手们则奔赴高手区k1， 成群结队地从蓝道，黑道，花样滑雪道上呼啸而下，同时大家也用运动摄像头捕捉自己和朋友的各种酷炫动作/搞怪镜头。

周六中午数百雪友们聚集在k1 lodge， 休息用餐也是社交的好时机，大家互相介绍自己，分享踏足过的雪场和滑雪技术。吃饱饭之余当然还要拍好多照片，朋友合照，数十人自拍，还有用超长自拍杆拍摄的百人合影… …

周六晚的泳池趴也是这次活动的一大亮点，CYPN包下了 Holiday Inn超大泳池和Bar，让活动参与者体验一个属于我们自己的滑雪大趴，活动的元素包括健身达人比拼，桌游，泳池戏水，SPA，半价鸡尾酒, 动感音乐… …健身比赛的项目为plank和俯卧撑，奖品非常有吸引力，有功夫茶全年赠饮券和Shabu-Zen 50美元代金券。值得一提的是，Holiday Inn的酒吧专门为本次活动提供了多种鸡尾酒（Dragon Boat, Boston Student, New York Student, NoZuoNoDie, etc.）（CYPN提供）