昆士市長邀市民加入濟助哈維風災難民行動

Mayor Koch Launches Harvey Fundraiser

QUINCY - Mayor Thomas Koch today announced a special community fund-raiser to assist Hurricane Harvey victims from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, at Zef Cicchetti restaurant in Quincy Center, and he launched the effort with a $50,000 contribution from the annual Mayor's Cup Charity Golf Tournament.

All are welcome at "Quincy For Houston," which will support the relief fund created by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Checks should be made payable to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, and all collections will be sent in one package as a gesture from the people of Quincy.

There will be entertainment and food courtesy of Zef owner Leo Keka, and event-goers are welcome to stay to watch the Patriots game later that night.

"I've been incredibly heartened by the number of people in Quincy who've approached me asking to do something, anything to help. We just thought an informal event like this where we can come together and show our support as a community would be a nice way to harness that energy," said Mayor Koch. "These families suffering right now may be pretty far away, but they are very much our neighbors. They need our help now, and they are going to need it for some time to come."

The City decided to collect monetary donations on the advice of several relief organizations, which say that financial resources are - and will be - the most pressing need for the agencies that charged with assisting in the monumental relief and recovery effort in Texas.

Anyone who wishes to donate, but cannot attend the event can go to www.ghcf.orgto contribute online. The Mayor also suggested that residents look to well-known and established relief agencies such as the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org

Our neighbors in Texas need our help. Join us for a special community fundraiser next Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Zef Cicchetti in Quincy Center. Checks can be made payable to Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, and we'll be sending all donations in one package as a gesture from the people of Quincy.

燒烤會中獎者和摩頓市長共進早餐

Breakfast with the Mayor

Thursday, August 31, 2017

In keeping with a tradition he established several years ago, the last raffle ticket drawn by Mayor Christenson at the Annual Senior Citizen’s Cookout is the person who joins him at a local restaurant as his guest.  Ward 7 resident Ji Di Wen was this year’s lucky winner and she, along with City employees Jason Law and Frankie Lam who attended to assist with translation, enjoyed a fantastic breakfast, courtesy of Mayor Christenson at Cornucopia.

羅德島大學孔子學院六辦美東漢語教師培訓

(Boston Orange) 孔子學院總部主辦，羅德島大學孔子學院於8月25到27日間承辦，在該校主校區金士頓舉行的”美東地區漢語教師培訓”，共有54名美國本土及中國公派教師，志願者參加。

羅德島大學孔子學院院長何文潮(左)頒發結業證書。

            這場培訓共有4名專家主持8場講座，分別探討漢語倫理知識，教學方法，教學研究熱點。

            第一天由中國南京大學海外教育學院副院長，世漢學會理事長曹賢文主持首場講座，題目為”國際漢語課堂教學研究方法”，從課堂教學與科研的互動關係入手，談到國際漢語課堂的研究內容和方法，以及當代外語課堂的研究熱點。

            中國浙江大學傳媒與國際文化學院教授王建剛談的是理論性較強的”日常生活中的語言問題 – 兼談漢語惡質化現象”。他從語言及其功能開講，藉中國歷史事蹟和歷史人物來闡述日常生活中的語言及其功能，再談及當代漢語的惡質化問題。

            第二天由兩位美國的漢語教授和專家主講。夏威夷大學中國研究中心副主任，也是孔子學院院長的任友梅教授談”美國最好的語言教學 – 2017年精彩回顧”。她指出有效教學的原則及有效語言課程的特點，並以她教授印度語，德語等多門外語的方法，讓教師學員們深刻體會到”集文化，學科內容、語言為一體的外語課堂”是甚麼樣子。她的第二場講座談”從可理解性輸入到可理解性輸出”準備表演式評估”。她利用學生們的故事展開漢語教學，提倡由學生們自己發現，總結語法。

            美國紐約大學中文教師發展中心主日唐力行教授談的是”人性化教授語言”。他引用實例，提倡用故事來教漢語，要激發學生的學習動機，

            唐力行還為第三天的培訓做開場。他先介紹了美國如今流行的”TPRS”教學法，也就是經由閱讀和說故事來教授流利應用語言(Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling)”。他介紹了”TPRS”的各個步驟，操練方法，還和出席學院討論利弊。

            這天，曹賢文講的另一堂課是”傳承語教育理論與海外漢語教學策略”。他展示了學習”傳承語”和第二外語的差異。為期三日的培訓，最後一堂課是王建剛的”漢語中的積極修辭與消極修辭”。

            羅德島大學孔子學院院長何文潮在結訓時做了總結，並頒發證書給上課學員們。

            羅德島大學孔子學院從2012年起舉辦漢語教師培訓，今年是第六個年頭。何文潮表示，該院將繼續努力，為漢語老師提供最專業的培訓。

臉書計畫在波士頓增聘500名員工

(Boston Orange) 臉書快要成為劍橋市的最大雇主之一了，明年將在劍橋市開張新辦公室，增聘500名員工，總員工數將跳升為650。

            臉書創辦人馬克祖柏格(Mark Zuckerberg)在哈佛校園推出這家公司後，就遷到西岸去了，直到幾乎4年之後，才在波士頓安插了一小組工作人員，辦公室都是和其他公司共用的。現在臉書在坎德廣場辦公室有100多名員工。臉書波士頓主管Ryan Mark表示，地方不夠用了。

            將來的新辦公室將座落在由Elkus Manfredi所設計的100 Binney 街100號大樓，佔用3樓。明年啟用後，將和Bristol-Myers Squibb的300名員工共用空間。

波士頓大學與惠洛克學院正式談判合併

(Boston Orange)波士頓大學(BU)和惠洛克(Wheelock College)8月29日表示，兩校正式談判合併。

            有130年歷史，建於1888年的惠洛克學院，座落在河路(Riverway)，距離波士頓大學的查理士河校區僅約1哩，是一所致力培養教育及社工人才的私立學校。

            近年來，該校財務捉襟見肘，2016會計年度營運損失申報260萬元，2015年虧損250萬元，此外還負債3880萬元。去年才接替Jackie Scott，出任校長的David J. Chard表示，他們還可以繼續撐下去，但那樣做十分危險。

            該校的年度營運收入，也從2015年的4140萬元降到2016年的4030萬元，收到的捐贈款也從2015年的5390萬元降到2016年的50000萬元。為節省經費，該校最近還把校長官邸，以及一棟宿舍拿出來賣。六月十，該校人員表示，他們不太確定大學本科部的未來命運。

            該校以致力改善兒童及家庭的生活為宗旨，校內有3大學院，分別為教育，社工及藝術與科學。根據聯邦政府資料，其芬衛校區目前有學生1053人。

            波士頓大學則是一所大規模的私立研究大學，共有本科及研究所學生33,000人，校內分17個學院，系所，社工及教育也是強項之一。

            惠洛克學院去年才新聘來自南浸信大學的David J. Chard為新任校長。

            在高等教育領域，人們認為合併是困難且危險的。不過專家們認為在小學校面對入學申請者減少，學生更憂心要負擔巨債之際，大概會出現越來越多的合併案。

去年，波士頓音樂學院和柏克萊音樂學院合併了。安多幅牛頓神學院(Theological Seminary)賣掉了牛頓校區，成為耶魯大學的宗教學院。

            惠洛克學院在前任校長在位的最後一年，已經出現許多狀況，包括18名教職員離任，以及一名行政高層承認論文抄襲而辭職，兩名猶太教授向聯邦政府投訴遭受歧視等醜聞。

            惠洛克的來年學費大約35,000元，若包括食宿及雜費，大約50000元。波士頓大學的學費加食宿費大約為67,000元。

摩頓市徵求今冬鏟雪合約商

Seeking Winter Contractors 2017

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Before you know it, it will be that time of year again! The City of Malden Department of Public Works is looking to hire Contractors to plow and/or sand this winter. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must be fully equipped. Acceptable vehicles are pick-up trucks with an eight foot plow, larger trucks with 26,000 GVW or greater, sanders, loaders and backhoes. The City of Malden requires certification of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000.

Applicants must submit name, address, telephone number, email address and other pertinent information to Robert Knox, Department of Public Works Director at rknox@cityofmalden.org by no later than Wednesday, October 25th. For more information, please call 781-397-7162.

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.