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星期二, 11月 01, 2016

BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $533,000 IN WORKPLACE SAFETY GRANTS

BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $533,000 IN WORKPLACE SAFETY GRANTS

WORCESTER, MA – NOVEMBER 1, 2016 – Thirty-seven Massachusetts employers were awarded a total of $533,149 to help train nearly 4,400 employees in workplace safety and the prevention of injury, illness and death, the Baker-Polito Administration’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced today.

“Worker and workplace safety is an important priority for companies and employees across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are pleased to award this funding to ensure companies are able to provide training to educate their workers and keep them safe on the job.”

The Department of Industrial Accidents administers and manages the Workplace Safety Training and Education Grant program to promote safe, healthy workplace conditions through training, education, and other preventative programs for businesses and employees covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation law.  In fiscal year 2016, the Baker-Polito Administration will award a total $700,000 for the Safety Grant program. 

“We are pleased that thousands of workers in the Commonwealth receive training each year in order to make themselves and their work environments safer day to day,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said.

Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker made the announcement with the management and employees of Sweet Kitchen Bar, a restaurant, dessert bar and caterer in Worcester. Sweet received the grant as a consortium of businesses, which includes another restaurant, The Flying Rhino, and two other central Massachusetts caterers, Pepper's Catering and Struck Catering. The $24,824 grant will train employees in CPR and First Aid, prevention of slips and falls, ergonomics and kitchen & facility training.

“Not only do workers receive training that ensures they are safe, but they also increase their knowledge-base for their jobs, increasing their opportunities to be promoted,” Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said. 

"Our business model depends on delighting our guests.  Having a happy and engaged workforce is critical; that starts with our employees knowing that their well-being is our first priority,” said Alina Eisenhauer, executive chef at Sweet Kitchen Bar.  “This grant will help us deliver on that mission."
“We are grateful for the support and earnest efforts on the part of the Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito to secure funding for an investment in the safety of our employees,” said John Lawrence, director of catering at Peppers Fine Catering. “This important funding helps create a more positive work environment which in turn creates a more productive and efficient business environment.”  
The maximum grant amount per employer is $25,000. Businesses are awarded training grants through a competitive application process. The Department of Industrial Accidents is opening another round of applications soon.

Organizations that received grants:

American Training, Inc. – Andover, MA  - $10,368 -American Training Inc. delivers premier workforce development, day habilitation, work and residential programs in transportation, counseling, work-preparedness to people with disabilities, youth at risk, unemployed and lifelong adult learners.  Training will include stress management, ergonomics and safe patient lifting and fire extinguisher training.

Baxter Inc. - Hyannis, MA - $11,283.15- Baxter, Inc. provides crane and rigging services.  Training will include OSHA Signal Person & Master Rigging and CPR/First Aid.
BLB Custom Builder LLC- Amesbury, MA - $10,871.00 - BLB Custom Building provides custom home building, high-end renovations and general carpentry repairs in the Merrimack Valley. The company will provide OSHA safety, fall protection, respiratory protections, and CPR/First Aid/AED training.

Center for Human Development, Inc. – Springfield, MA - $9,630- CHD, a non-profit organization, delivers a broad array of critical social and mental health services.  Training will include CPR/First Aid.

Charles River Association for Retarded Citizens – Needham, MA - $14,980 - Charles River Center for Developmentally challenged Citizens was created by a group of parents who sought to develop programs for their children.  Training will include a safety care/de-escalation train-the-trainer and CPR/First Aid.     

Coastal Industries Inc. – Haverhill, MA - $2,247 - Coastal Industries manufactures doors and windows. Training will include OSHA 10 and warehouse forklift training.

Colony Foods, Inc. – Lawrence, MA - $24,900 - Colony Foods Inc. is an independent family-owned and operated food service distributor specializing in the pizzeria Italian restaurant and sandwich shop.  Training will include aerial lift, OSHA 10, safety talks, defensive driving, fire protection, workplace violence, skid steer loader, warehouse forklift, CPR/First Aid, ergonomics, and de-escalation.

Dellbrook Construction LLC – Quincy, MA - $14,653.65 - Dellbrook Construction LLC is a full-service construction firm providing services in design/build coordination, preconstruction planning, cost management, estimating and general contracting.  Their proposed training includes lead safe renovator and CPR/AED and First Aid.   

Environmental Integrity Company, LLC – Holyoke, MA - $6,527 - Environmental Integrity is a full-service electronic recycling and data destruction company providing green electronic solutions to small, medium and enterprise customers.  Their proposed training includes driver safety, warehouse safety, job safety analysis, and industrial truck/fork lift.    

Town of FraminghamFramingham, MA- $12,840 - The Town of Framingham provides all related highway, water, sewer, parks and recreation, elderly, school and public safety services.  Training will include OSHA 10, OSHA 30 and back injury prevention for all town employees.

F.M. Generator, Inc. - Canton MA - $22,256 - FM Generator sells and services stand-by power generators for both commercial and residential applications. The company provides preventative maintenance services as well as repair, installation, fueling, load testing, radiator repairs and rebuilds, engine overhauls and rebuilds.  Training will include electrical safety, defensive driving, hazardous materials and ergonomics.

GAAMHA – Gardner, MA - $2,140 - GAAMHA provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities.  It also provides residential services for substance abuse through the Pathway House Program.  Training will include CPR/AED and First Aid, as well as warehouse forklift. 

GenCon, Inc. - West Bridgewater, MA - $9,309- GenCon Inc. specializes in healthcare construction and offers architectural and construction management services.  Training will include warehouse forklift, Fatal 4, fall protection, confined space and trenching & excavation.

Guaranteed Builders & Developers, Inc. – Douglas, MA - $25,000 - Guaranteed Builders & Developers offers a large display of modular homes and garages for residential building.  This firm also provides disaster and recovery services by providing mobile banking command units to areas of destruction. Training will include OSHA 30, warehouse forklift, rough terrain, aerial lift, and bucket truck training.

Habilitation Assistance Corporation – Plymouth, MA - $6,724.04- Habilitation Assistance Corp is an organization to support individuals in realizing their personal visions. Services offered are day habilitation, case management, homecare and independent living and transportation. Their proposed training includes CPR/First Aid and proper lifting techniques.

Hollingsworth and Vose Co. – West Groton, MA - $10,700 - Hollingsworth and Vose is a global leader in the supply of technically advanced nonwovens for engine, high-efficiency, and liquid filtration. With 12 manufacturing facilities located around the world, the company is a key source of engine & industrial filtration.  Training will include safe lifting and hand safety.       

Home Care Connection Network, LLC – Amesbury, MA - $23,780.75 - Home Care Connection provides high quality care and assistance to patients, clients or residents in their home whether it may be a nursing home, assisted living, hospice or hospital.  Training will include CPR/First Aid, infectious control, body mechanics and patient handling.

Imperial Distributors Inc. – Auburn, MA - $21,285 - Imperial Distributor's is a leader in merchandizing and distribution of grocery non-food items.  Training will include ergonomics, lock out/tag out, machine guard and OSHA 10.

Lan-Tel Communications, Inc. - Norwood, MA - $5,885 - LAN-TEL is one of the largest structured cabling and security companies in Massachusetts. They provide ongoing installation and maintenance for commercial and public sector entities for new construction and renovation.  Training will include train-the-trainer for NSC Lift Truck Operator Program and bucket truck training.

MacCormack Plumbing, Inc. – Billerica,  MA - $25,000 - MacCormack Plumbing, Inc. is a plumbing and heating contractor for commercial and residential installation.  Training will include OSHA 30, confined space, OSHA 10 and CPR/First Aid.

MAS Building and Bridge, Inc. - Norfolk, MA - $24,931 - MAS Building and Bridge is a leader in heavy civil and structural steel construction.  MAS Building and Bridge has two divisions, Bridge/Dam/Marine and Structural Steel.  Training will include rigging/signaling, CPR/First Aid, aerial scissor lift, confined space, OSHA 10 & 30 and steel erection.

Maybury Associates, Inc. - East Longmeadow, MA - $8,830.20 - Maybury is a full-service provider of material handling products and services. Training will include OSHA 10 & 30.

Nano-C, Inc. – Westwood, MA - $13,190 - Nano-C, Inc. is a small chemical research & development company that produces technological advanced carbon materials through their fullerene and carbon non-tube product lines for use in semiconductors, electronics and renewable energy applications.  Training will include respirator fit testing, CPR/First Aid, fire extinguisher, DOT Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Goods.

NexDine, LLC – Mansfield, MA - $24,866 - Nexdine LLC provides corporate dining, special events catering and smart dining programs to schools and colleges. Training will include slips, trips and falls, restaurant ergonomics and knife handler safety.

New England Disposal Technologies, Inc. – Sutton, MA  - $24,834.70 - New England Disposal Technologies Inc. is an environmental service company that performs a wide range of environmental services including hazardous and chemical waste transportation and disposal, contaminated site remediation and cleanup, above ground and underground tank cleaning and removal, lab clean outs and contaminated soil recycling.  Training will include, OSHA 10 & 40, hazardous waste site worker, CPR/AED, confined space, respirator fit testing, boating safety, excavation & trenching. 

New England Utility Constructors, Inc.- Lawrence, MA - $15,622- New England Utility Constructors, Inc. specializes in underground utility construction, including natural gas, electric and welding fabrications, water and street restoration.  Training will include CPR/First Aid, hazardous waste site and hoisting & rigging.

Signature Health Care/Brockton Hospital – Brockton, MA - $25,000 - Signature Health Care is one of southeastern Massachusetts largest integrated healthcare systems, including Brockton Hospital and Signature Medical Group.  Training will include needle puncture training and safety & de-escalation.

South Essex Sewage DistrictSalem, MA - $15,100 - South Essex Sewage District maintains and operates a sewage system to collect and dispose of residential, commercial and industrial wastewater.  Training will include CPR/FA/Blood borne pathogens, PPE, LOTO, hoisting prep, and electrical safety.

Sweet Kitchen Bar – Worcester, MA - $24,824 – Sweet, aka Sugar After Dark, is a restaurant, caterer and dessert bar.  The award is to a consortium that includes another restaurant, The Flying Rhino, and two other central Massachusetts caterers, Pepper's Catering and Struck Catering.  Training will include CPR/First Aid, slips, trips and falls, ergonomics and kitchen & facility training.

Teamwork Labor Services, Inc. - South Easton, MA - $23,647- Teamwork Labor Services, Inc. is a national retail installation and event management company.  Training will include basic injury prevention, CPR/First Aide and OSHA 10. 

Titcomb Brothers Manufacturing, Inc. – Westport, MA - $6,179.25 - Titcomb Brothers Manufacturing designs and produces plywood concrete forming panels and steel concrete forming hardware.  Training will include ergonomics, fire safety, OSHA 10 and warehouse forklift training.

Timberline Construction Corp – Canton, MA - $ 19,110 - Timberline Construction is a highly experienced general contracting and wireless construction company.  Training will include forklift, personnel lift, and crane signal, OSHA 30 and bucket truck.

Twin Rivers Technologies Manufacturing Corp – Quincy, MA - $24,824 - Twin Rivers is one of the largest oleo-chemical producers in North America. The plant has direct access to worldwide ocean shipping lanes through its own deep water port facilities and storage terminal.  Training will include DOT Course, confined space, self-contained breathing apparatus training, combined space entry rescue, and 8-hour emergency responder.  

Winchester Hospital – Winchester, MA - $10,593 - Winchester Hospital is an acute-care community hospital.  It is a 229-bed facility providing a wide-range of care.   Nurses, clinical assistants and other staff are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders caused by overexertion.  Training will include safe patient lifting/handling.

昆士市宣傳提早投票


BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY’S HOMEWORK HELP BEGINS AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY’S HOMEWORK HELP BEGINS AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY

BOSTON – November 2, 2016 – Boston Public Library’s free Homework Help program is underway and runs through May 25, 2017, offering free afterschool help and mentorship provided by high-achieving high school students. The program, offered Monday through Thursday from 3:30 -5:30 p.m. is open to students in grades K-8; no registration required. Boston Teacher’s Union tutors are also available during select weekdays from 4-6 p.m. for students in grades K-12. Visit www.bpl.org/homework for complete information.
“Homework Help is an essential resource offered to Boston’s youth to encourage learning in a safe, welcoming environment, and we are immensely grateful to Harvard University for their training support of the high school mentors who implement the program throughout our locations,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. 
Boston Public Library began collaborating with Harvard University to provide SmartTALK training to Homework Help mentors in 2014. Since its launch in 2008, SmartTALK has worked to help adequately prepare and train educators and mentors in Cambridge and Boston to help children of all ages develop strong academic and social skills outside of school hours.
“Homework help gives students the confidence they need to become critical thinkers and to develop their skills in a supportive setting, and libraries will always be a place that children can turn to for educational assistance,” said Farouqua Abuzeit, Manager of Youth Services for the Boston Public Library.
Online help is also available through LearningExpress Library, which can help students from grade school through college improve their skills by taking practice tests, completing exercises, and reading e-books. LearningExpress can also help college-bound students prepare for the ACT, SAT, and other standardized tests. Students may also search for articles and use books online with student electronic resources, and look for book, CDs, movies, and more in the BPL catalog.

麻州特選學校選票問題競爭激烈 支持者富人居多

今年的麻州選票問題非常熱,尤其是第二號關於特許學校的問題,支持,反對雙方共募得3300萬元,來遊說選民,其中支持者共約籌得2000餘萬元,反對者共籌得約1250萬元。
更讓人矚目的是,儘管依序分屬共和黨,民主黨,從上任以來幾乎步調一致的麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker),波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh),這回也有了分歧。查理貝克支持特許學校,還被支持者放進了廣告中。馬丁華殊反對,今(11月1)晚出席反對陣營的活動會。
新英格蘭調查報導中心的"眼睛(The Eye)"和WGBH公共廣播電台在非牟利新聞機構(INN)贊助下,10月25日在WGBH內,廣邀社會大眾,舉辦了一次競選資料線上分析,結論指出,今年投入麻州選票問題的選舉經費,數額之大,前所未見,尤其是第二號的特許學校(Charter school)問題,共籌得3300萬元,而且80%的捐款都來自機構組織。慷愾的個別捐款者,幾乎都支持特許學校。
特許學校是由公家資助,在傳統學校校區管理之外經營的學校。支持者表示,這會提供更多學校選擇,反對者說那會從傳統公校挪走資金。
在支持或反對特許學校問題這兩方的經費都主要來自組織之際,超過百分之40以上的大個別捐款,用於廣告,宣傳他們的觀點。
"眼睛(The Eye)"指出,支持優異學校家庭(Families for Excellent Schools Advocacy, Inc., )是個大本營在紐約的組織,迄今已捐了1300萬元來支持第二號問題,約占總捐款額三分之一。支持陣營迄今共籌得約2000萬元。
相比之下,反對者籌得的1250萬元,幾乎全是從諸如在華府的全國教育協會(National Education Association),麻州教師協會,以及大本營也在華府的美國教師聯盟等教師工會團體那兒來的。
這支持,反對兩方的最大差別在個別捐款者。反對特許學校問題的個別捐款者,僅籌得16,600元,支持者卻給出360萬元。
拯救我們的公立學校"這反對特許學校組織的最大個人捐款者捐了1000元。支持特許學校問題的最大捐款者卻是沃爾瑪(Walmart)繼承人Jim Walton,捐了100多萬元。他姊姊,Alice Walton也捐了70萬元。
其他七個捐款額超過10萬元的,包括前紐約市長彭博(Michael Bloomberg)。捐款超過10,000元的,不下30人。捐款超過1,000元的,也超過40人。
只有在100元以下的最小額捐款上,反對者籌得金額比支持者多。不過這些小額捐款只佔個人捐款總額中的0.3%。
大約四分之一的小額捐款者表示自己是教育者,或是教育機構的工作人員,包括公立,私立,以及特許學校,還有公私立大學。

"Don't Be Alone on Thanksgiving" Free Community Turkey Dinner Open to All

"Don't Be Alone on Thanksgiving" Free Community Turkey Dinner Open to All
The annual "Don't Be Alone On Thanksgiving" free community turkey dinner will be held Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2015, noon - 2pm, at the Malden High School cafeteria, 77 Salem Street (enter from the rear entrance off of Ferry Street into the cafeteria.) This dinner is open to anyone who would like to enjoy a wonderful holiday meal - free of charge. No reservations are needed. The site is handicap accessible. 

The event provides about 900 meals for a sitdown feast and delivery to homeless families and to senior citizens who are home-bound. The dinner is sponsored by Bread of Life, Anthony's of Malden, Ferryway School in Malden, Forestdale Community Church in Malden, Malden Lions Club, Marty's Caterers of Stoneham, Mayor Gary Christenson of Malden, Knights of Columbus Council 13966, and the staff of Salemwood School in Malden. Marty's Caterers, a major donor for Bread of Life events, is donating mashed potatoes and gravy. 

Donations are appreciated of roasted turkeys (preferably de-boned) and baked goods (pies, cakes, sweetbreads, pastries, cookies). Donations may be brought to the Malden High School cafeteria, rear entrance off of Ferry Street, on Wednesday, November 23 from 4-7 pm.

To volunteer in the kitchen or dining hall on Thanksgiving Day, between 8am and 4pm, or on the evening before from 4-7pm, call Bread of Life, 781-397-0404 or email:info@breadoflifemalden.org.  
To volunteer delivering meals on Thanksgiving Day to elderly shut-ins in Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose or a  surrounding town, call Gene Pinkham of the Knights of Columbus Council 13966, at 781-321-0994 (eve) or email: pinkhamgene@gmail.com. 

星期一, 10月 31, 2016

HYUNDAI, KIA TO PAY MASSACHUSETTS MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO RESOLVE FALSE FUEL EFFICIENCY CLAIMS

HYUNDAI, KIA TO PAY MASSACHUSETTS MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO RESOLVE FALSE FUEL EFFICIENCY CLAIMS
Part of a $41.2 Million Multistate Settlement that Applies to the Sale of More Than 18,000 Massachusetts Vehicles

BOSTON – Automakers Hyundai and Kia have agreed to pay more than $1 million to Massachusetts to resolve claims that the companies misrepresented the mileage and fuel economy ratings of more than 18,000 vehicles in the state, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The payment is part of a $41.2 million multistate settlement that resolves allegations that the companies violated state consumer protection laws. 

“We allege that these major automakers falsely advertised that their vehicles were more fuel efficient than they actually were at a time when gas prices were particularly high in Massachusetts and across the nation,” AG Healey said. “Companies cannot use false claims and deceptive practices to persuade consumers to purchase their products or to gain an unfair advantage over competitors.”

The AG’s Office filed a consent judgment in Suffolk Superior Court that is part of a resolution between 33 states and the District of Columbia and the Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor America, Kia Motors Corporation, Inc., and Kia Motors America, Inc. The consent judgment, which is subject to approval and entry by the court, concludes a multistate investigation into the companies’ representations concerning the estimated fuel economy of certain model years.

State and federal law set limits on emissions from vehicles sold in the United States. Before vehicles may be offered for sale, auto manufacturers must conduct testing under protocols mandated by government regulators and use the resulting data from that testing to support applications demonstrating their vehicles’ conformity to those standards.

In November 2012, Hyundai and Kia announced they were restating the fuel economy ratings for certain model year 2011, 2012 and 2013 vehicles after it was revealed that the companies had overstated the fuel efficiency of those vehicles. 

The states allege that Hyundai and Kia incorporated the inflated and inaccurate data into the estimated mileage ratings displayed on the window stickers of hundreds of thousands of cars in Massachusetts and across the country. The companies also allegedly capitalized on the erroneous mileage estimates by touting them in a variety of advertisements and other promotional campaigns. Attorney General Healey alleges that these actions constituted violations of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act.

Separate settlements will provide compensation to the affected car-buyers. Consumers with questions about today’s announced settlement should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division at (617) 727-8400.

In addition to Massachusetts, the multistate group – led by the states of Connecticut, Iowa and Illinois – includes Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

Deputy Division Chief Shennan Kavanagh and Assistant Attorneys General Lisa Dyen and Samantha Shusterman of Attorney General Healey’s Consumer Protection Division handled this matter for Massachusetts.

慈濟人文學校加入承辦新英格蘭華語文能力測驗行列

駐波士頓教育組組長黃薳玉(右一)與慈濟人文學校教務主任
鄧淑芳(左二)及監考老師。
        (Boston Orange)美國華語文能力測驗在新英格蘭地區再添一所合作學校,刻正於1029日至112日間,陸續在4考區辦理本年度測試,共約150人報名參加。
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處教育組表示,美國華語文能力測驗在新英格蘭地區越來越受肯定,合作承辦測驗學校包括大學、主流高中及中文學校,十分多元。
慈濟人文學校是最新加入合作行列的學校,承辦華語文能測驗及兒童華語文能力測驗
駐波士頓教育組組長黃薳玉(右三)與勒星頓中文學校監考老師,
前左依許淑芬,前左三王月娥等人試前合影
今年的華語文能力測驗,從1029日起,分3日在4個考場舉行,依序為1029日在麻州西部的威廉斯學院(Williams College)1030日在慈濟人文學校及勒星頓中文學校,112新罕布夏州的倍得福高中(Bedford High School, NH)
教育組指出,今年的華語文能力測驗新增「準備級」(Novice),在閱讀測驗提供注音符號或拼音標記,初學者更容易掌握題目內容,也是初學者檢測自己學習成果的最佳選擇。
威廉斯學院監考老師。
其他的正式華語文能力測驗與往年相同,包括「入門基礎級」(Band A)、「進階高階級」(Band B)、「流利精通級」(Band C)和以兒童為對象的華語文能力測驗「萌芽級」(Sprouting)、「成長級」(Seedling)及茁壯級(Blossoming)等,共6等級。
在威廉斯學院參加本年度首場華語文能力測試的學生,大都挑戰屬高階類別的「進階高階級」(Band B)及「流利精通級」(Band C),希望將來到台灣進修華語文課程。該校學生預定明年(2017)年初到臺灣參加為期23週的海外華語文學習課程
首次參加承辦華語能力測驗的慈濟人文學校1030日上午舉行了兒童華語文能力測驗及華準備級語文能力測驗部分學生在考完後表示,題目很容易,明年一定要挑戰更高等級。
新英格蘭地區最大的華語文測驗考區勒星頓中文學校,1030日下午有近百名參加考,其中一名挑戰進階高階級(Band B)的考生,還是來自校外的美國政府公職人員。由勒星頓中文學校有經驗,志工老師多,考場秩序良好,測驗順利。
威廉斯學院監考老師。
教育組指出,華語文能力測驗試題研發嚴謹,不僅參照歐洲通用語文參考架構(Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR),也與美國外語教學協會指標(ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines)對應,是華語文學習者瞭解自學習成效的最佳工具也是中華民國(臺灣)教育部「臺灣獎學金」申請資格條件之一到臺灣留學的美國學生與計劃回臺灣升學的華僑子弟都應把握機會參加。(文稿內容及圖片均由教育組提供)