陳潔瀅將出任麻州住宅及發展署副署長

陳潔瀅。(圖片由州政府提供)

(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)麻州州政府即將新增一名亞裔高官。曾任亞美社區發展協會行政主任的陳潔瀅(Janelle Chan)將於4月23日調升麻州住宅及社區發展署副署長。

麻州州長的住宅及經濟發展辦公室今(19)日宣佈，指派陳潔瀅出任住宅及社區發展副署長(undersecretary for Housing and Community Development)，監管麻州的可負擔住宅，社區服務，以及流浪漢援助等項目。新職從4月23日起生效。

陳潔瀅於2016年加入麻州政府，在麻州灣運輸局(MBTA)擔任物業長(chief of real estate)，推動該局鄰近地鐵站的土地發展。更早之前，她在位於波士頓華埠的亞美社區發展協會工作了六年，依序出任住宅發展長及行政主任。

麻州住宅及社區發展署的前任副署長為Chrystal Kornegay，現已轉往為可負擔住宅提供財務支援的麻州住宅(MassHousing)，出任主管。

麻州住宅及經濟發展辦公室首長Jay Ash在任命宣佈中表示，可負擔住宅一直是貝克(Baker)政府的施政重心，陳潔瀅在可負擔住宅方面有獨特資質，將可協助州政府增建可負擔住宅。

陳潔瀅畢業於加州柏克萊大學的族裔研究系，副修公共政策，是哈佛大學設計研究院的羅布學者(Loeb Fellow)，獲有麻省理工學院城市計畫碩士學位。

下為麻州州政府新聞稿:

Secretary Ash Names Undersecretary Housing and Community Development

BOSTON – April 19, 2018 – The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development has announced Janelle Chan as Undersecretary for Housing and Community Development, effective April 23rd.

 “I am pleased to welcome Janelle to the team,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. Title: Janelle Chan“Janelle’s leadership in housing, real estate development, and community engagement makes her uniquely qualified to take the helm of the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Baker-Polito Administration has prioritized increased housing production, particularly new affordable housing, recognizing the benefits it will bring to the Commonwealth and to ensuring Massachusetts remains a top place to live, work, and raise a family. I am confident Janelle will bring exceptional expertise and commitment to this major effort."

Chan joined the Baker-Polito administration in 2016 as the Chief of Real Estate for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). In that role, she managed real estate and asset development in line with the Open for Business initiative, which allows for transit-oriented development projects on MBTA land. The MBTA is one of the largest landowners in the state. Prior to joining the MBTA, Chan was executive director at Asian Community Development Corporation.

 “I am thrilled to take on this new role,” said Chan. “I started my career in Massachusetts as a community advocate and urban planner, leading the Asian Community Development Corporation   Janelle Chanand taking significant housing development projects from concept to reality, so it is a tremendous opportunity to work on housing matters at the state level. I'll also draw from my time in the Baker-Polito administration managing the MBTA's real estate portfolio.  I am honored to now play a leading role in advancing the administration’s efforts to create more affordable housing options, working across the Commonwealth to support all of our communities.”

In her new role, Chan will lead a department that works with community and business partners to provide affordable housing options, financial assistance, community services, and other support to Massachusetts communities. She will design and implement housing and community development policy for the Commonwealth, including affordable housing development, public housing, federal housing and community development programs such as Community Development Block Grant and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and the emergency assistance system for homeless families and individuals.

About Janelle Chan:

Janelle Chan joined the Baker-Polito administration in 2016 as the Chief of Real Estate for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and managed an extensive real estate and asset portfolio. Previously, Chan was executive director at Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), where she maintained a real estate portfolio of over $120MM in housing and commercial real estate; oversaw the real estate development pipeline, which included the development of the One Greenway mixed-use, mixed-income development with 345 units of both affordable and market rate housing in downtown Boston; and managed the Participatory Chinatown project along with other community-capacity building programs such as housing counseling. Chan is a LEED Accredited Professional in sustainable development. She was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, earned a Master in City Planning degree from M.I.T. with a specialization in Housing, Community, and Economic Development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FAIR HOUSING AND EQUITY OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FAIR HOUSING AND EQUITY OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21

Open House to inform residents of their rights, provide housing resources to ensure fair and equitable access to housing opportunities

BOSTON - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - Building on the Walsh Administration's commitment to providing opportunities for safe and affordable housing, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the 2018 Fair Housing and Equity (FHE) Open House, which will take place on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bolling Building in Dudley Square, and is free and open to all residents who live or rent property in the City of Boston. "Safe and stable housing is the foundation to a person's future success," said Mayor Walsh. "My administration is committed to providing the resources to equip residents with the information and tools they might need to overcome housing challenges. We will continue our important work to increase equity and opportunities in housing for all Bostonians." The Open House will provide individuals with the opportunity to learn about City and nonprofit services that investigate housing discrimination, provide affordable and income-restricted housing, and other housing resources. "Mayor Walsh is committed to creating every opportunity for residents to access and keep affordable housing in Boston," said Boston's Health & Human Services Chief, Marty Martinez. "The Fair Housing Open House is an opportunity for residents, regardless of zip code or status, to obtain the tools needed to access Boston's affordable and income-restricted housing stock, and to learn about various services available to prevent and challenge housing discrimination." "Housing discrimination hurts communities and the Office of Fair Housing & Equity is an invaluable resource to Boston in working to end that discrimination through education and enforcement," said Jamie Langowski, Esq, Assistant Director & Clinical Fellow Housing Discrimination Testing Program at Suffolk University Law School. The Open House will facilitate panel discussions, presentations, and outreach materials all related to affordable housing and preventing housing discrimination in Boston. Boston residents, or soon to be residents, are encouraged to attend the Open House. "50 years after the Fair Housing Act was born, HUD remains firmly committed to creating a nation where every person has the same access to housing and economic opportunity," said Susan Forward, HUD New England Regional Director of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.  "It is in this spirit that we are excited to join the City of Boston's Office of Fair Housing in educating landlords and renters about housing discrimination rights and responsibilities at The Boston Fair Housing Open House." April 11th marked the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which ensures protections against discrimination of housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. The Mayor's Office of Fair Housing and Equity implements these protections by investigating housing discrimination. FHE also protects residents by enforcing Affirmative Marketing policies that promote equal opportunity for residents to learn about new affordable and income restricted housing opportunities in Boston.

AG HEALEY TO CONGRESS: DON’T GIVE LAWYERS A LICENSE TO USE ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES

AG HEALEY TO CONGRESS: DON’T GIVE LAWYERS A LICENSE TO USE ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today led a bipartisan coalition of 20 state attorneys general urging Congress to oppose the so-called Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2018, which would strip away protections against debt collection attorneys who use state courts to intimidate, harass and deceive consumers.

The letter states that, if enacted, the bill would amend the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to exempt law firms and licensed attorneys engaged in “litigation activities,” allowing them to engage in abusive practices. The amendment would also bar individuals from suing debt collection lawyers for damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees.  

            “This bill gives a free pass to predatory debt collection attorneys that harass our residents and manipulate our court system to threaten elderly and disabled people,” said AG Healey. “Congress should reject this bill.”

The attorneys general argue that “certain debt collection attorneys and law firms routinely misuse their access to the judicial system to take improper advantage of unsophisticated consumers.” These debt collectors’ use of litigation to collect debts disproportionally affects the most vulnerable consumers, who often lack the resources to hire lawyers, including the elderly, disabled and poor.  

State attorneys general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have brought numerous actions against the practices of abusive debt collection law firms, which include falsely threatening to garnish the income and social security benefits of elderly and disabled consumers, threatening consumers with arrest and imprisonment for failure to pay debts, improperly suing consumers in courthouses miles from their homes, and filing lawsuits without meaningfully reviewing pleadings and without proof that consumers owe the debt at issue.

AG Healey’s Office regularly receives consumer complaints about debt collection abuses and has taken legal action against a number of debt collectors. In July 2017, the largest debt collection law firm in Massachusetts, Lustig, Glaser & Wilson, P.C., agreed to pay $1 million in restitution and significantly change their practices after AG Healey took action against them for widespread consumer abuses impacting thousands of Massachusetts consumers. That same month, the AG’s Office sued a Lowell debt collection attorney and was granted an injunction barring him from threatening consumers with arrest or imprisonment for nonpayment of small debts.

The AG’s Office is committed to combatting abusive debt collection practices. Consumers who have questions or concerns about such practices can call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office. 

Today’s letter comes in response to the House Financial Services Committee’s decision to vote the Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act out of committee.

Joining AG Healey in signing this letter today are attorneys general from California, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Washington D.C.

建築業婦女工作機會介紹會 5/1

HELP WANTED: Build A Life that Works for You!

Did You Know: Women in Construction Enjoy Great Pay, Full Benefits and Paid Training

WHAT:                     Are you a woman interested in pursuing a career with great pay, full benefits and paid training? Here is your opportunity to learn more about what it takes to pursue a career in the union building trades.  With a career in the building trades, you can take pride in building our cities and towns, while building a better life for yourself!  

Tradeswomen Tuesdayis a monthly recruiting event designed to educate women about the benefits of pursuing a career with the union building trades. This forum provides an opportunity for interested applicants to meet with other women who are currently working in various construction trades. Tradeswomen share their stories about their pursuit for a career in construction and offer helpful tips and information to those seeking to follow a similar path. 

WHO:                       Members of the Northeast Center for Tradeswomen’s Equity(NCTE), Tradeswomen, and women considering a career in the construction trades. 

WHEN:                    Tuesday, May 1, 2018 

                                    5:00pm – 6:30pm

WHERE:                  Building Pathways, 2201 Washington St., Roxbury, (Dudley Square)

WHY:                       Tradeswomen Tuesdays, hosted by NCTE, is part of an innovative, statewide recruitment strategy designed to encourage more women to pursue a career in the union building trades. The Build A Life That Works campaign seeks to address an ongoing challenge in an innovative and impactful way by inspiring women to pursue a career in the union building trades as a viable path to equal pay for equal work, excellent benefits, and a better future. Currently, in Massachusetts tradeswomen comprise 5% of the workforce. This statewide effort aims to increase tradeswomen in the building trades to 20% by 2020. 

The Build A Life That Works campaign taps into the insight that women could enjoy a rewarding career in the construction trades, if they would only consider the opportunity. To break down the barriers of awareness and consideration, Build A Life That Worksillustrates not just the benefits of a career with promising growth but also shares the great pride in building a legacy of Massachusetts developments. The campaign features real women in the building trades, now enjoying home ownership, quality time with their families, world travel and many more life moments and experiences, made possible with a career in construction. 

MAYOR WALSH OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR SPARK BOSTON'S ANNUAL IMPACT AWARDS

MAYOR WALSH OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR SPARK BOSTON'S ANNUAL IMPACT AWARDS

Awards shine a spotlight on young adults aged 20-34 doing outstanding work to improve the City

BOSTON - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced nominations are now open for SPARK Boston's 2017-2018 Impact Awards. The annual Impact Awards shine a spotlight on young adults aged 20-34 doing outstanding work to improve the City of Boston. Nomination forms are available online, and will remain open through Friday, May 18, 2018.     "Boston is a city shaped by the actions and leadership of our residents, and our millennial population works especially hard to make their mark on our community," said Mayor Walsh. "The Impact Awards reflect the City's appreciation for this generation and the emerging leaders in our neighborhoods and industries."   "The Impact Awards are a grassroots recognition of Boston's leaders between the ages of 20 to 34," said Amy Mahler, SPARK Boston Director. "Nominees are submitted from our community, reviewed by our selection committee composed of SPARK Council members, and voted on by the Boston community. If you are or know of someone who deserves an Impact Award, nominate them today."   "The most amazing thing about the Impact Awards is being recognized by your peers and fellow change agents in communities across Boston," said Matt Parker, 2016 Impact Award winner and 2017-2018 SPARK Council Member. "SPARK and the City of Boston creates platforms lifting up the millennials that strive to lift up this great city. I am humble and blessed to receive such an award and look forward to this year's recipients."   This year's award categories reflect the diverse ways millennial residents act as leaders and change-makers in Boston: Arts & Culture: Visionaries who weave arts and culture into the fabric of our communities to engage and inspire those around them. Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Civic innovators who help our city attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of engagement. Activism & Issue Advocacy: Emerging leaders elevating the voices of young Bostonians on the issues that impact us all. Public Service & Civic Leadership: Public servants, elected officials and other civic leaders working to ensure strong democracy and successful governance in our city. Community Building & Neighborhood Improvement: Engaged citizens who work collaboratively to strengthen their neighborhoods and promote their communities' interests. "Unsung Heroes": Outstanding teachers, social workers, nurses, emergency responders and human services professionals whose everyday dedication supports a healthy, thriving city. Nominees must be between the ages of 20-34 and live/work in Boston to be considered. A selection committee comprised of members of the SPARK Boston Council will review all nominations and select the top nominees in each category. A round of online voting will follow, and winners will be announced at the SPARK Impact Award ceremony in June. To nominate a friend, colleague, neighbor or yourself, click here.

Malden High School Recognized Nationally For Outstanding Environmental Leadership

Malden High School Recognized Nationally For Outstanding Environmental Leadership
Honorees Recognized from across the Nation and Globe Attend Massachusetts Ceremony
 

BOSTON, MA – Malden High School was recognized at the State House last Friday by Project Green Schools during its Annual Green Difference Awards ceremony recognizing Outstanding National Environmental Education & STEM Education efforts led in Schools & Communities across the nation. The Green Difference Awards honored principals, teachers, advisors, citizens, schools, students and school groups/clubs from twelve states and the District of Columbia, as well as honorees from India, Singapore, Nigeria and Morocco. Malden High School was recognized with the Outstanding Commitment to Greenovation award for its Learn and Earn program.

“Malden students have shown us in so many ways that they are both our present and our future,” said Representative Steve Ultrino (D – Malden). “This national recognition affirms the leadership of Malden High School students and educators in taking action today to protect our environment and prepare for STEAM jobs and the green economy.” 
 
“We are thrilled to honor outstanding Environmental Leadership across the globe this week while shining a spotlight on our home state of Massachusetts,” said Robin Organ, Executive Director of Project Green Schools. “These leaders are helping to transform the way we think about and interact with our environment. Their extraordinary ideas and inspiring sustainability initiatives help make exactly the kind of impact needed to take on 21st Century challenges while creating a healthier future. Together, Project Green Schools and our sponsors, Current powered by GE, Planet Aid, National Grid and LaunchX, congratulate these green leaders for their achievements!”
  
Project Green Schools partners with over 6,300 schools and 500,000 students from over 43 U.S. states and 9 countries to facilitate the development of student leaders who have engaged in E-STEAM learning and projects and are pursuing higher education and jobs in the green workforce.

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 Project Green Schools (http://projectgreenschools.org) is developing the next generation of environmental leaders through hands-on, project-based, solutions-based learning, community service and action for students K-12. Students work at the intersection of STEM meets energy, environment and public health, while developing sustainable solutions, soft skills, as well as college and career readiness.

黎卓宇獲哈佛大學本科生最高藝術獎 Louis Sudler 獎

檔案照片，黎卓宇(右二)與父母，黎小堅(左起)，卓超英，以及中華
表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 鋼琴家黎卓宇獲得哈佛大學藝術委員會表揚本科生全面成就的最高獎，Louis Sudler大獎。
                      哈佛大學藝術辦公室的藝術委員會4月18日宣佈，今年(2018)共有11名學生獲得大學本科生藝術獎。

過去35年來，共有140多名哈佛本科生獲頒此獎，藉以表揚他們在藝術上的成就。
這些獎項包括舞蹈，音樂，表演，視覺藝術等多個單項成就獎，但Louis Sudler是表揚全面成就的大獎，從1983年迄今，共45人獲得此獎。

哈佛大學發給黎卓宇的獎狀。(黎小堅提供)

評獎委員包括哈佛大學劇院，舞蹈及媒體資深講師Deborah Foster，美國劇院製作人Diane Borger，音樂系資深講師暨哈佛雷德克利夫交響樂團指揮Federico Cortese等14人。

2018年級的黎卓宇是Louis Sudler藝術獎得主。該獎表揚在作曲，或者在音樂，戲劇，舞蹈或其他視覺藝術表現上，最傑出的藝術天才及其成就，而且旨在表揚學生的整體成就。

黎卓宇在哈佛校內是溫卓普屋(Winthrop House)居民，主修英文，並追隨Kyung Byun修讀哈佛及新英格音樂學院的鋼琴雙學位。

黎卓宇獲得此獎是為表揚他作為鋼琴家的表現。華盛頓郵報稱讚他有驚人的技術實力，既給人他能統御的感覺，表達又有深度。

檔案照片，黎小堅提供。

黎卓宇也是2016年的Avery Fisher 鋼琴類職業獎助金得主，2015年國際柴可夫斯基比賽銀獎得主，他曾經在白宮為美國總奧巴馬招待德國總理墨克爾(Angela Merkel)的晚宴表演，2017年首度登上卡耐基(Carnegie)廳。在哈佛校園內，黎卓宇也和哈佛雷德克利夫(Harvard-Radcliffe)交響樂團合作表演。

他過去的音樂會亮點包括和Gustavo Dudamel及洛杉磯交響樂團，和Michael Tilson Thomas及舊金山交響樂團，和Manfred Honeck 及漢堡交響樂團等合作表演，和倫敦交響樂團及Giandrea Noseda巡迴亞洲，和Yuri Temirkanov及聖匹茲堡交響樂團，和Long Yu及愛樂樂團，Olso交響樂，Orchestre National de Lyon，鹿特丹(Rotterdam)交響樂，馬墨爾(Malmo)交響樂，韋爾比耶(Verbier)節交響樂，DSO 柏林，西雅圖交響樂團，猶他(Utah)交響樂，雪梨(Sydney)交響樂及法蘭克福電台交響樂。他也經常和Valery Gergiev 及Mariinsky 交響樂團一起出現，包括在巴黎愛樂，盧森堡愛樂，以及俄國的各個地方表演。黎卓宇是華納古典樂公司的專屬藝術家。(5/11/2018更新)

檔案照片，黎小堅提供。

LOUIS SUDLER PRIZE (outstanding artistic talent and achievement):
1983: Daniel Dodd Wilson, Dunster House (visual arts)
1984: William Rauch, Adams House, theatre (director)
1985: Marc A. H. Lowenstein, Cabot House (music)
1986: Christopher Liam Moore, Lowell House (theater, actor)
1987: Marya Cohn, Adams House, theatre (director/actor)
1988: Morley Robertson, Mather House (music)
1989: Alan Gilbert, Adams House (music)
1990: Lucy Soutter, Adams House (visual arts)
1991: David Eggar, Mather House (theater, music)
1992: Amy Cabranes, North House, theatre (director)
1993: Richard Nash, Adams House, theatre (director, writer)
1994: Ariane Anthony, North House, dance (dancer, choreographer)
1995: Brad Rouse, Dunster House, theatre (director)
1996: Matt Haimovitz, Kirkland House, music (cellist)
1997: Matt Saunders, Adams House, VES, theatre (actor, director, visual artist)
1998: Sybil-Catherine Watkins, Winthrop House (dance)
1999: Mai'a K. Davis, Currier House (dance)
2000: Joseph Lin, Mather House, music (violin)
2001: Brett Egan, Lowell House (acting); Elizabeth Waterhouse, Eliot House (dance)
2002: Christopher Hossfeld, Leverett House (music); Cary McClelland, affiliate of Pforzheimer House (theater); Jeff Sheng, Eliot House, visual arts (photography)
2003: Hazel Davis, Cabot House (music); Roberto "Pacho" Velez, affiliate of Adams House (visual arts/filmmaking)
2004: Anthony Cheung, Winthrop House (composition)
2005: Michael M. Donahue, Adams House (theatre); David Mahfouda, Dudley House, visual arts (performance art)
2006: Melissa Goldman, Mather House, theater (set designer); Han Yu, affiliate of Dudley House, visual arts (installation art)
2007: Stefan Jackiw, Leverett House, music (violin)
2008: Bong Ihn Koh, Cabot House, music (cello), & Elizabeth Lim, Cabot House, music (composer)
2009: Calla Videt, Dudley House, theater (director)
2010: Jack Cutmore-Scott, Dunster House, theater (actor)
2011: Charlie Albright, Leverett House (piano)
2012: Matthew Aucoin, Kirkland House (composer, conductor, music director, poet)
2013: Keir GoGwilt, Adams House (violin)
2014: Liv Redpath, Pforzheimer House (singer)
2015: Chase Morrin, Quincy House (composer and jazz pianist)
2016: Alistair Debling, Adams House (director, installation artist)
2017: Alexander (Sasha) Scolnik-Brower, Winthrop House (musician, conductor)
2018: George Li, Winthrop House (pianist)

波士頓馬拉松賽今年獎金更高 冠軍15萬元

(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)波士頓馬拉松賽自從約翰漢考克金融服務公司(John Hancock Financial Services)33年前，1986，開始贊助後，參賽者就不只拿獎，還得金。今年總共要領走83萬元獎金，以及22萬元表現津貼。

男，女冠軍各得15萬元，第二名7萬5000元，第三名4萬元，第四名2萬5000元，第五名1萬5000元，第六名1萬2000元，然後第7到第15名，獎金依序為9000，7400，5700，4200，2600，2100，1800，1500。

約翰漢考克公司今年邀請了共46名來自13個不同國家的精英，參加波士頓馬拉松賽，其中有26名男生，20名女生，6名往年波士頓馬拉松賽冠軍，17名Abbott 世界馬拉松大賽優勝者，23名奧林匹克賽參賽者，以及6名國家紀錄締造者，包括巴林(Bahrain)，哥倫比亞，德國，墨西哥，荷蘭，美國。Buzunesh Debo還是波士頓馬拉松賽女子組的紀錄締造者，2小時19分59秒。