Boston Public Schools Receives Wallace Foundation Grant to Help Students Develop Social and Emotional Skills

Boston Public Schools Receives Wallace Foundation Grant to Help Students Develop Social and Emotional Skills

BPS will partner with Boston After School & Beyond for initiative

Boston Ma. - Thursday, December 15, 2016 - The Boston Public Schools will share a $400,000 grant with Boston After School & Beyond, a local nonprofit organization that coordinates afterschool programs citywide. Together, they will devise a plan to help children in Boston develop vital social and emotional skills that are linked to success in school, career and life. A few of the features they will focus on are: teamwork, persistence, goal-setting, self-control and getting along with others. "This generous contribution and ongoing partnership between Boston Public Schools and Boston After School & Beyond enables our students to directly benefit from collaborative learning activities," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Team building is one of the many important lessons that will help our students succeed now and later in life." BPS and Boston After School & Beyond are one of nine community partner pairs nationwide to receive a planning grant. The grants are the first phase in the Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning initiative, a new, multi-year effort byThe Wallace Foundationto better understand how schools and afterschool partners can improve and align experiences and climate to foster children's social and emotional learning. "Afterschool programs are essential to the growth of positive social and emotional skills among our students," said Superintendent Tommy Chang. "We are grateful to both the Wallace Foundation and Boston After School & Beyond for their continued support; and for furthering our work in providing our students with the opportunity to develop skills in safe and welcoming environments." A growing body of research, including the Wallace-commissioned University of Chicago studyFoundations for Young Adult Success, has linked social and emotional learning - which are known by different terms including non-cognitive skills, character and soft skills - to success in school, career and life. It is not yet known, however, how school and afterschool experiences can be aligned and delivered in real-world, urban settings to help develop these skills. Technical assistance and guidance will be provided to each pair of partners from national experts affiliated with the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, the Forum for Youth Investment and the Center for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). The Boston partners were among 24 districts with high proportions of disadvantaged students that were invited to apply for the planning grant last spring. The Foundation drew those candidates from a pool of 145 which were identified by scans and nominations from the field. The initiative builds on The Wallace Foundation's years of work in youth development, including a 12-year effort to encourage citywide coordination for afterschool that yielded more than 40 publications, as well as work with urban school districts. "There's tremendous interest in helping children to develop the positive attributes and skills that are associated with well-being in and out of school and many models are being tested," said Nancy Devine, the director of learning and enrichment at The Wallace Foundation. "We're interested in exploring how an intentional partnership between school districts and organizations that provide programming during out-of-school hours can benefit young students." "Boston's afterschool programs are committed to working with schools to improve and measure vital social and emotional skills," said Chris Smith, executive director of Boston After School & Beyond. "This exciting new work is an opportunity to strengthen a citywide strategy." Through the planning grant period, school districts and afterschool intermediaries will collaborate to improve adult practices that support the development of students' social and emotional skills. As part of the Mayor's citywide strategy to close opportunity and achievement gaps, he recently joined leaders from 127 summer learning programs to unveil the results of a national study which showed Boston's summer learning effort outpacing its peers. Boston is one of five cities participating in the $50 million National Summer Learning Project, which is also funded by The Wallace Foundation and evaluated by RAND. This investment by the Wallace Foundation comes at an opportune time for Boston Public Schools. Amalio Nieves, assistant superintendent for social emotional learning and wellness, seeks to develop and support the integration of social emotional learning standards into teacher practices and student skill development across the district. In the next phase, in summer 2017, up to six district-intermediary pairs will be selected from among the nine cities chosen for planning grants to receive three-year implementation grants from Wallace. This phase will also include comprehensive research by The RAND Corporation to provide useful new evidence to the field.

STATEMENT FROM TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG’S OFFICE ON THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

STATEMENT FROM TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG’S OFFICE ON

THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

As of today, the personal possession, use and cultivation of marijuana is legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The State Treasurer’s Office is responsible for the implementation of this new law, as written here. Outside of their personal residence, adults over the age of 21 may possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Within their residence, adults may possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Residents may also cultivate up to 6 marijuana plants per person with a limit of 12 plants per household. Recreational marijuana may not be grown, processed, or sold in Massachusetts without a license issued by the Cannabis Control Commission.

To stay informed on developments regarding recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, please visit our website at http://www.mass.gov/treasury/marijuana.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Economic Development Incentives for 19 Projects

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Economic Development Incentives for 19 Projects

Local economic development incentives will contribute to Massachusetts businesses creating 626 new jobs

Boston – December 13, 2016 – Today the Commonwealth’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved the participation of 19 projects in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP). These projects are expected to create 626 net new jobs and retain 891 jobs across Massachusetts, while leveraging $283 million in private investment.

“Our administration is supporting job growth and vibrant communities by creating a business climate that supports private investment and long-term growth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Economic Development Incentive Program complements our substantial investments in the state’s talented workforce, and is an important part of how we encourage companies to create jobs and expand in the Commonwealth.”

“The job-creation incentives approved today demonstrate the diversity of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “From technology and the life sciences, to manufacturing and food processing, we are growing regional economies, and helping businesses deliver new growth.”

“By enabling job creation and economic opportunities, the Economic Development Incentive Program helps foster prosperity across Massachusetts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “These job creation incentives are a smart investment in ourselves, and in our future.”

“The awards approved today will help create jobs and deliver business expansion, from Dartmouth to Holyoke,” said Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nam Pham. “The targeted investment opportunities that this program provides will help support workers, families, and communities throughout the Commonwealth.”

Eleven of the awarded projects this quarter are manufacturing companies, and 12 are located in Gateway Cities.

The EACC has approved 121 economic development projects since January 2015. These projects will lead to the creation of 6,456 jobs, the retention of 13,188 existing jobs, and will leverage roughly $2.4 billion in private investment. Additionally, the EACC has assisted 54 manufacturing companies and 60 companies in Gateway Cities during this period.

The EDIP is the Commonwealth’s investment tax credit program for businesses, and is one of the most effective tools helping businesses to grow in Massachusetts. EDIP tax credits and other incentives are available to companies that make qualifying investments in new facilities and create new jobs. The EACC meets on a quarterly basis to review applications. More information about the EDIP is available on theMassachusetts Office of Business Development’s website.

Approved Projects

Manufacturing Retention Projects

Sealed Air Corporation (Holyoke) - Sealed Air is a multinational corporation with more than 25,000 employees, serving 175 countries. The firm is the inventor and manufacturer of Bubble Wrap packaging. Sealed Air is investing $1.2 million to expand its Holyoke manufacturing plant, creating 24 new jobs, and retaining 75 existing jobs. The EACC Board approved $132,000 in investment tax credits.

American Holdco, LLC (New Bedford) - American Holdco, LLC is among the world’s largest distributors of lobster and scallops. The firm is investing $1 million to expand the capacity of its New Bedford processing facility, creating 42 new jobs, and retaining 40 existing jobs. The EACC Board approved $400,000 in investment tax credits.

Pieco Holding dba Table Talk Pie, Inc. (Worcester) - Table Talk is a leading producer of pies, providing customers with a wide range of sizes and formats. The company currently produce pies in facilities in Worcester and Shrewsbury, and is expanding to a third production facility in Worcester. The expansion will create 50 new jobs, retain 30 existing jobs, and generate $7.4 million in private investment. The City of Worcester has approved a local tax-increment financing agreement (TIF) and personal property tax exemption valued at $6.56 million. The EACC Board approved $750,000 in investment tax credits.

Expansion Projects

AHEAD, LLC (Dartmouth) - AHEAD designs and manufactures headwear, apparel, and accessories for golf and other industries. AHEAD will invest $11 million to expand its Dartmouth site by 78,000 square feet, creating additional space for warehousing, light manufacturing, and offices. This expansion will create 25 new jobs and retain 261 existing jobs. The Town of Dartmouth has approved a TIF valued at $124,000. The EACC Board approved $312,500 in investment tax credits.

Ice Cube LLC / Hutchens Holding II, LLC (Fall River) - Ice Cube LLC is a subsidiary of Raw Seafoods, a seafood processing company that handles fresh and frozen scallops, fish, and value-added seafood. Raw Seafoods is constructing a new cold storage facility on a vacant parcel adjacent to its existing plant. The expansion project will create 12 new jobs, retain 206 existing jobs, and generate $15 million in private investment. The City of Fall River has approved a TIF valued at $800,000. The EACC Board approved $150,000 in tax credits.

Decker Machine Works, Inc. (Greenfield) - Decker Machine Works was established in 1982, and has more than 30 years’ experience fabricating multi-axis machined parts, across a wide spectrum of materials. Decker is purchasing and renovating a new facility in Greenfield, adding a clean room, making new equipment purchases, and facilitating the company’s long-term growth. The project will create 10 new jobs, retain 18 existing jobs, and generate $2.3 million in private investment. The Town of Greenfield has approved a TIF valued at $43,000. The EACC Board approved $125,000 in investment tax credits.

International Container Co. LLC (Greenfield) - International Container Co. LLC specializes in the manufacture of roll-off, hook-lift, and front- and rear-load containers, and a wide variety of special application containers for the solid waste industry. The company is constructing a new 125,000 square foot production facility in Greenfield, and purchasing new equipment. The company’s expansion will create 32 new jobs, retain 48 existing jobs, and generate $9.2 million in private investment. The Town of Greenfield has approved a TIF valued at $1.8 million. The EACC Board approved $400,000 in investment tax credits.

Patriot Beverage, LLC (Littleton) - Patriot Beverage, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPF, Inc., bottles Pepsi products at a plant in Ayer. CPF is purchasing a vacant former bottling plant in Ayer, in order to expand its business into new product lines and container sizes. CPF’s expansion will create 50 new jobs and generate a private investment of $23 million. The Town of Littleton has approved a TIF valued at $113,786. The EACC Board approved $625,000 in investment tax credits.

Bianco & Sons Inc. (Medford) - Bianco & Sons is a 56-year-old family-owned meat and sausage manufacturer, serving regional supermarket chains, large wholesale food and provision suppliers, and licensed street vendors. The company is expanding from its current 6,000 square foot plant, to a newly purchased 29,000 square foot facility in Medford. The expansion project will create 20 new jobs, retain 27 existing jobs, and generate more than $8.5 million in private investment. The City of Medford has approved a TIF valued at $67,000. The EACC Board approved $250,000 in investment tax credits.

Freedom Restoration & Cleaning LLC (New Bedford) - Freedom Restoration & Cleaning provides carpet and upholstery cleaning, as well as emergency water, fire, smoke, and mold clean-up and restoration services. The company is relocating from Rhode Island, purchasing a New Bedford property to serve as its new headquarters, creating 12 new jobs, and making a private investment of $615,000. The City of New Bedford has approved a TIF valued at $32,000. The EACC Board approved $36,274 in investment tax credits.

Granite Telecommunications, LLC (Quincy) - Granite Telecommunications provides telecommunications services, including local and long distance dial tone, broadband, long distance, wiring, alarm and other related services to multi-location businesses and government entities. Granite is continuing an EDIP expansion project begun in 2013, by acquiring and renovating a property at 61 Enterprise Drive in Quincy. Both phases of Granite’s EDIP expansion project will lead to the creation of a total of 846 jobs, the retention of 935 jobs, and a total private investment of over $45 million. The City of Quincy has approved a TIF valued at $1.9 million. The EACC Board approved $3.6 million in tax credits.

Prodrive Technologies, Inc. (Weymouth) - Prodrive Technologies manufactures and supplies robotics, power electronics and sensors, and is one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Europe. Prodrive is expanding into the United States by constructing a new production facility in Weymouth. In the first phase of an anticipated multi-phase project, Prodrive will make a private investment of $38 million, and create 110 new jobs. Prodrive will be the first major commercial tenant at Union Point development, the redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. The City of Weymouth has approved a 20-year TIF valued at $4.7 million. The EACC Board approved $1.375 million in investment tax credits.

Local Incentive-Only Projects

Maple Hotel Company (Chelsea) - The Maple Hotel Company will invest $9.8 million to redevelop the current Wyndham Chelsea Hotel, including complete interior and exterior renovation, and a change in brand affiliation to DoubleTree by Hilton. This project will retain 51 jobs. The City of Chelsea has approved a TIF valued at $480,000.

775 Davol St, LLC (Fall River) - 775 Davol St plans to demolish an abandoned, blighted building and construct a new 19,450 square foot medical office building. The project will create 16 new jobs, retain 25 existing jobs, and generate $3.3 million in private investment. The City of Fall River has approved a TIF valued at $235,000.

CEA Nashua, LLC (Fall River) - CEA Nashua will invest $5 million to completely redevelop and renovate a retail mall in Fall River. The City of Fall River has approved a TIF valued at $620,000.

AACO Realty Corp. (Holyoke) - AACO Realty Corp. will restore an abandoned manufacturing building into a mixed-use commercial and residential complex. The City of Holyoke has approved a TIF valued at $218,000, to support AACO Realty’s $650,000 investment in creating two floors of commercial space.

Quality Custom Packaging, Inc. (New Bedford) - Quality Custom Packaging supplies private branded, frozen block, and fresh scallops. The company is investing $900,000 to expand its plant, creating 21 new jobs, and retaining 5 existing jobs. The City of New Bedford has approved a special tax assessment valued at $37,000.

Moderna Therapeutics, Inc. (Norwood) - Moderna Therapeutics is a global life sciences company headquartered in Cambridge, and focused on the development of transformative medicines and biotechnology therapies. Moderna is investing $110 million in the leasing and renovation of a 200,000 square foot facility in Norwood, for use as a clinical research development and manufacturing facility. The expansion project will create 120 new jobs and retain 100 existing jobs. The Town of Norwood has approved a TIF valued at $1.7 million.

Chacharone Properties, LLC (Worcester) - Chacharone Properties owns and develops commercial properties in and around Worcester. The developer plans to invest $600,000 to construct a building at 65 Armory Street, to fill regional needs for high-quality manufacturing space. The City of Worcester has approved a TIF valued at $90,000.

Baker-Polito Administration and Congressman Moulton Break Ground at Gateway North in Lynn

Baker-Polito Administration and Congressman Moulton Break Ground at Gateway North in Lynn

New transit-oriented project will deliver 71 units of mixed-income housing

Lynn – December 13, 2016 – Today, Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay joined Congressman Seth Moulton, MassHousing Executive Director Tim Sullivan, Senator Thomas M. McGee, Representatives Brendan Crighton and Daniel Cahill, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Lynn Housing and Neighborhood Development, the Neighborhood Development Associates, the real estate development firm HUB Holdings, and community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of Gateway North, a mixed-income, mixed-used, transit-oriented development in Lynn.

Gateway North will deliver 71 units of rental housing to downtown Lynn, including 53 affordable units, and 10 workforce housing units. Gateway North is the first housing development financed through MassHousing’s Workforce Housing Initiative, a new $100 million fund that will support the creation of up to 1,000 new workforce housing units for middle-income households. In May 2016, Governor Baker launched MassHousing’s Workforce Housing Initiative at a ceremony at the Gateway North project site. In January, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded Lynn a $250,000 Urban Agenda grant, to advance the development of the second phase of Lynn’s Washington Street Corridor redevelopment.

“The Gateway North project embodies our administration’s commitment to harnessing mixed-income housing development to deliver new community development opportunities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This project will deepen Lynn’s downtown revival, while opening up new affordable housing opportunities for working families. And, by spurring the construction of new workforce housing, this project will become a showcase for our administration’s new workforce housing fund, which will help make the Commonwealth a more affordable place to live for a broad cross-section of Massachusetts residents.”

“Gateway North demonstrates the kind of deep impact that our collaborative Lynn Economic Advancement and Development Team has been able to achieve,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are coming together with our partners in the Legislature, with federal and local officials, and with stakeholders in the private sector, to accelerate community development in Lynn. I congratulate all of our LEAD Team partners for helping make this dynamic project a reality.”

“This project is a big win for the City of Lynn and surrounding communities,”said Congressman Seth Moulton. “Ensuring that our Massachusetts families have access to quality, affordable housing should be among our top priorities, and I’m proud that Lynn will be a leader in this effort. I commend Governor Baker and our leadership at the State House for their work to make this project a reality and look forward to the new opportunities that this development will bring for Lynn’s lower Washington neighborhood and the city as a whole.”

Gateway North is being built with substantial support from the Commonwealth. The Department of Housing and Community Development awarded the project $3.75 million in affordable rental subsidies, and with federal and state low-income housing tax credits that will generate $12.7 million in equity in the project. MassHousing contributed $21 million in financing, including a $1.6 million loan from the MassHousing Workforce Housing Initiative, to support the development of new workforce housing.

The Gateway North project implements the vision established in Lynn’s 2008 Washington Street Gateway Plan, a comprehensive plan that seeks to revitalize the Washington Street corridor through new transit-oriented development, including retail and housing.

“Gateway North helps deliver on our commitment to build more housing that serves the needs of low-, moderate, and middle-income families,” saidHousing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay. “New housing production grows the economy and strengthens communities. “Not only does Gateway North bring over 70 new units of housing to Lynn, it also advances the city’s vision for transforming the Washington Street corridor. We are proud to support a project that furthers many of our shared goals in Lynn.”

“We are very pleased that this first housing community financed through MassHousing’s $100 million Workforce Housing Program  is under construction and will provide quality, affordable housing for working households in Lynn,’’ said MassHousing Executive Director Tim Sullivan. “Our partners in this project – LHAND, Hub Holdings, DHCD and the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust – are deeply committed to creating housing opportunities for middle-income residents who are being squeezed out of the housing market by increasing rents that are outpacing their incomes.’’

“This groundbreaking is the pinnacle of years of collaboration between the Delegation, the City and LHAND to improve the Washington Street Corridor,”said Senator Thomas M. McGee. “This mixed-income, mixed use, transit oriented development is a prime example of quality state investment of taxpayers’ dollars.”  

“This transformative development is the result of years of collaboration led by LHAND,” said Representative Brendan Crighton. “This type of leadership and collaboration is critical to the revitalization of our downtown. It's great to see a shovel in the ground.”

“The significance of this project cannot be overstated,” said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. “Not only are we taking severely underutilized property and converting it into much-needed workforce housing, we will also be attracting new residents to an area of the city that is ripe for redevelopment. We are appreciative of the state's willingness to invest in Lynn.”

“Both the LHAND and NDA staff have worked tirelessly over the last seven years making this vision into a reality,” said LHAND’s Executive Director Charles Gaeta. “We are pleased to see the hard work finally come to fruition and we are excited for the positive transformation it will bring to this important gateway neighborhood. Gateway North is a shining example of city, state, federal and private collaboration towards achieving much needed development in the City, serving as a catalyst for more to come.”

“It takes a significant collaboration to address our current need for housing, and we have been gratified to be able to work with the AFL-CIO, the City of Lynn, Boston Capital, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to turn Gateway North into reality – into homes for families in Lynn,” said Tom Bauer, Managing Principal of Hub Holdings LLC. “MassHousing recognized the potential and provided valuable assistance, and we salute the work of our team, including Bilt Rite Construction, The Architectural Team, and Pinck & Co.”

Investments in affordable housing developments and renovations reflect the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to ensuring that residents across the income spectrum have access to affordable housing throughout Massachusetts. In May, the administration unveiled a 5-year capital budget plan that includes a $1.1 billion commitment to increasing housing production, an 18 percent funding increase for mixed-income housing production, and affordable housing preservation. In May, the Administration and MassHousing committed $100 million, to support the construction of 1,000 new workforce housing units. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has provided funding to create and preserve 2,976 units of affordable housing, including 874 deeply affordable units for at-risk populations.

波士頓北一女校友會會長交接 趙小怡退吳國志上

波士頓北一女校友會創會會長趙小怡(左)交棒給新任會長吳國志(右)

      波士頓北一女校友會12月10日晚在勒星頓鎮的揚子江餐廳聚餐，舉行新舊會長交接儀式。
      在70多名校友，家屬出席的熱鬧中，首屆會長趙小怡把會長棒子交給吳國志。
      駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉都當天應邀出席，致賀，紛紛感謝該會對台灣駐外單位的支持。
     趙小怡表示，該會成立以後，校友們漸次浮現，每次聚會時談起總統府旁的校園，綠衣時光的種種，都有恍如昨日之感。
     趙小怡透露，波士頓北一女校友會現在已經有155人，12月10日這天能有大約70人出席，很不容易。
     波士頓北一女校友會新一屆幹部包括副會長江佩蓉，幹事郭明，許聰玲，龍熙平，吳杏玫，嚴安莉，徐宗玲，李建，張鳳。
(12月14日更新)

北一女校友會全體幹事合影。

(圖片由僑教中心提供)

MAYOR WALSH ISSUES TIPS FOR RESIDENTS IN ADVANCE OF BITTERLY COLD WEATHER

MAYOR WALSH ISSUES TIPS FOR RESIDENTS IN ADVANCE OF BITTERLY COLD WEATHER

BOSTON - Wednesday, December 14, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a set of tips and guidelines in advance of this week's forecast of bitterly cold weather. Forecasters are predicting an Arctic plunge on Thursday night into Friday, with wind chills reaching 16 degrees below zero. The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch, as wind gusts will be strongest between 6 p.m. Thursday night to 4 a.m. Friday morning, reaching up to 60 miles per hour. Low temperatures on Thursday night will be three degrees. With the wind chill, frostbite can occur within 30 minutes. "We want to make make sure each and every Boston resident will be safe and warm when bitterly cold weather arrives this week," said Mayor Walsh. "In times like these, it's vital for residents to look out for one another, and I encourage all Bostonians to reach out to the City if they or their neighbors need help this winter season. City workers will be constantly vigilant to ensure the safety of all." Mayor Walsh asks all residents to take precautions and exercise care during the single-digit low temperatures. He encourages residents to check on neighbors who are elderly or disabled; be mindful of homeless individuals who may need assistance; and practice caution with space heaters. For emergency alerts, including cold-weather alerts, residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Boston. For questions or additional information, call the City's resident services hotline, 311, or visit boston.gov/cold. Homelessness services are also available on Boston.gov. Follow the City on Twitter for additional information and safety tips: @BOS311 and @CityofBoston. Key safety tips include: Preventing Hypothermia and Frostbite Dress for the weather: Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing.   Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear mittens over gloves; layering works for your hands as well. Always wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.   Dress children warmly and set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Restrict infants' outdoor exposure when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watch for signs of frostbite: These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. Watch for signs of hypothermia: These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you know shows any of these symptoms, get in touch with a healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms are severe, call 911. Heating Safety Never try to heat your home using a charcoal or gas grill, the kitchen stove, or other product not specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly. Using faulty or improper heating sources is the number two cause of home fires in Massachusetts. Have your heating system cleaned and checked annually. Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible gas produced whenever any fuel is burned. Common sources include oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste, or color. It is a poison and is deadly. Homelessness If you see homeless individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) coordinates a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies and first responders to assist those in need of shelter. Emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need.  Men can access shelters through 112 Southampton Street, and women should go to the Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and the City are working closely with shelter providers to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold. Emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need.   During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams operate with extended hours and provide mobile outreach vans on the streets in the evening and throughout the day. Heat Guidelines for Property Owners and Tenants In accordance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season officially begins on September 15 and runs through June 15. Property owners must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68° between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 64° between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. In case of emergency, property owners are encouraged to keep a list of licensed contractors (electrician, plumber and general contractor) on file. Tenants experiencing problems with their heating system should check the thermostat, ensure the dial is turned on, and report insufficient or no heat problems to the property owner or manager immediately. If your landlord or property manager is unresponsive, contact the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) at (617) 635-5300 to file a complaint, or call 311.   Tips to keep water flowing and pipes unfrozen during extreme cold The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends that during the upcoming cold snap homeowners remember the words locate, insulate, and circulate. Locate a home's main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage. Insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages and crawl spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from freezing and to keep warm water flowing. Circulate warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. Circulate a trickle of tap water through pipes during extreme cold to help prevent them freezing up. Locate your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and windows are shut tight. If pipes do freeze, slow thaw with a hair dryer. If water is lost in all taps, call BWSC 24-hour Emergency Assistance Line at 617-989-7000.      Increasing Home Energy Efficiency Disconnect water hose from the home. Wrap or cover exposed spigots. Caulk or putty windows. Ensure kitchen and bathroom dampers close properly. Close all storm windows and doors. Apply weather stripping. Properly insulate all pipes that are exposed. Cover vents. Install insulated or heavy drapes to keep cold drafts from coming in. Don't forget to close the damper to wood burning fireplace after each use. Consider a chimney balloon if you don't have a damper. For more energy efficiency tips for your home, call Renew Boston at 617-635-SAVE (7283). Emergency Home Repair Income eligible homeowners and Boston's seniors can receive assistance with winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs, furnaces and leaking/frozen pipes. For assistance, residents should call the Mayor's hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663).    A grant up to $5,000 is available for income eligible senior homeowners to ease unexpected financial burdens caused by an emergency situation with their home. In addition, the Mayor's Seniors Save program helps elders replace old, inefficient heating systems with a new brand new heating system even before a catastrophic failure occurs during the cold winter months.  Seniors can also call 311 or the Boston Home Center at (617) 635-HOME (4663)to be connected with a City staffer to provide additional details. Emergency Operations The City of Boston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in constant contact with the National Weather Service to receive detailed forecasts for the City of Boston. It also ensures each City department has a plan in place to handle the forecast. If the storm warrants, the City's Emergency Operations Center will be activated and City representatives will coordinate response and recovery efforts. Year round, OEM conducts preparedness seminars to educate the public on the importance of having an emergency preparedness plan and a bag of emergency supplies in the event that Boston residents have to shelter in place or leave their residence. Residents who sign up for notifications will receive a message from the City about winter storms and extreme cold weather. This notification system also alerts residents when a snow emergency/parking ban is in effect and when it is being lifted.

張婉哲獨唱會袁泉同台演奏 波城樂壇添佳話

張婉哲(後中)辦獨唱會，譚嘉陵(後右五)和波士頓中國音樂家協會會長林湛濤(後右一)等人，紛紛出席打氣。(圖由王藐若提供)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)波士頓華人音樂圈上週末再傳佳話。女高音張婉哲，小提琴家袁泉於12月11日晚在衛斯理鎮的Beveridge廳聯袂獻演，出席者無不讚嘆歌聲美，樂音妙，才子佳人同台，煞是讓人只羨鴛鴦不羨仙。

這場音樂會，其實是Dana Hall音樂學校老師張婉哲的獨唱會，安排有大都會歌劇交響樂團小提琴手袁泉，以及波士頓大學DMA鋼琴手郝波(譯音，Bo Hao)伴奏，演出曲目包括五首藝術歌曲，”思鄉”，”賦登樓”，”踏雪尋梅”，”春思曲”，”玫瑰三願”，以及巴哈的”在這裡祈禱(Bete aber auch dabei)”，”哦，我親愛的爸爸(o mio babbino caro)”，谷建芬作曲的著名思鄉曲”那就是我”。中場休息後的曲目有”明天(Morgen)”，”Youkali”，歌劇”波吉和貝斯”裡的”夏天(Summer Time)”，歌劇”共和國廣場(Thais)”裡的小提琴及鋼琴冥想曲，”冬雪”，”我的深情為你守候”等。

由於時近聖誕節，音樂會最後在”白色聖誕”歌聲中結束。

根據會場節目冊介紹，張婉哲畢業於中央音樂學院，新英格蘭音樂學院，現在是衛斯理亞裔兒童合唱團及音樂劇院，快樂青年樂團(Joy Youth Ensemble)的指揮兼音樂主任，也是環球表演藝術人才文化交流製作人，同時在Dana Hall音樂學校任教。

張婉哲不但擔任波士頓中國音樂家協會，以及紐約全國古典音樂表演藝術協會的秘書長，還是探戈塢(Tanglewood)節合唱團團員，經常和波士頓交響願團，波士頓流行樂團合作，也曾經在紐約卡耐基廳，以及波士頓的喬丹廳，約翰漢考克廳，克特勒(Cutler)大劇院，西班牙的Sala Luis Galve，中國的北京音樂廳，國家表演藝術廳，上海東方藝術中心，星海音樂廳等地演出。