波士頓市府提醒市民9月1日是2020年黨派初選日

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES STATE PRIMARY REMINDERS All in-person polling locations will be operated in accordance with public health guidelines BOSTON - Saturday, August 29, 2020 - The City of Boston Election Department is reminding residents that Tuesday, September 1, 2020 is the State Primary election. The Primary includes the following races: Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor's Councillors, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, and Register of Probate. On Election Day, polling locations in Boston will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to confirm their polling location for Election Day here. Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish, English and Chinese, and English and Vietnamese. For this year's State Primary, there are 420,345 registered voters in Boston. The Election Department has recruited and trained more than 1,800 poll workers to work at polling locations across the City that house 255 voting precincts. There are over 300 poll workers who are able to provide assistance in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean, Russian, and Portuguese. All poll workers have been trained on following the COVID-19 safety protocols. Due to COVID-19, health and safety protocols on Election Day will be implemented at each polling location. All poll workers will receive face shields, face masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer. Cleaning will take place at each site every two to three hours. Voters waiting in line will be instructed to stand six feet away from others and wear a face covering.  Voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots or absentee ballots must have their signed ballot returned to the Boston Election Department by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday September 1, 2020 in order to be counted. Voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballots here. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned to the Election Department by dropping it off at the dropbox located on the third floor of Boston City Hall (City Hall Plaza entrance) between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, August 31 and between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1. If a voter brings a vote-by-mail ballot to their polling location, they will be provided with the opportunity to cast their vote in person. A poll worker will assist them in ensuring that their mail-in ballot is discarded before casting the in-person vote.  Voters who have changed their mind about voting by mail and their ballot has not been received by the Election Department, may vote in-person at their designated polling location. Voters can find their polling location for Election Day here. Additionally, in-person absentee voting is available until August 31, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at the Election Department in City Hall. To qualify to vote absentee, registered voters must be absent from the City on Election Day, must have a religious belief which prevents them from going inside of a polling location, or have a physical disability which prevents them from going to a polling location. The application to request an absentee ballot can be completed in person at the Election Department in City Hall. Learn more about applying here.  Voters are reminded there are 20 precinct polling location changes this election cycle: WARD/PRECINCT PREVIOUS LOCATION NEW LOCATION Ward 1, Precinct 15 and Ward 13, Precinct 3 Harbor Point Technology Center 15 Harbor Point Blvd Dorchester, MA 02125 Corcoran Jennison Mullins Community Building 270 Mt Vernon St Dorchester, MA 02125 Ward 4, Precincts 6 and 7 Morville House  100 Norway St Boston, MA 02115 Northeastern University, Matthew's Arena 238 St Botolph St Boston, MA 02115 Ward 4, Precincts 5 and 8 Symphony Plaza East and West 334 Massachusetts Ave Boston, MA 02115 Northeastern University, Matthew's Arena 238 St Botolph St Boston, MA 02115 Ward 7, Precincts 1 and 2 BCYF Curley Recreation Center 1663 Columbia Rd Boston, MA 02127 Joseph P. Tynan School 650 E 4th St Boston, MA 02127 Ward 9, Precinct 5 Marcus Garvey Gardens 44 John Eliot Sq Boston, MA 02119 BCYF Shelburne Center 2730 Washington St Boston, MA 02119 Ward 11, Precinct 4 Amory Street Apartments 125 Amory St Boston, MA 02119 Word of Life Tabernacle Church 120 Amory St Boston, MA 02119 Ward 13, Precincts 1 and 2 Cardinal Medeiros Apartments 11 Woodcliff St Boston, MA 02125 John Winthrop Street Elementary School 35 Brookford St Boston, MA 02125 Ward 13, Precincts 7 and 8 Catherine Clark Apartments 915 Dorchester Ave Dorchester, MA 02125 Saint Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy- Columbia Campus 790 Columbia Rd Dorchester, MA 02125 Ward 17, Precincts 1 and 3 Roxbury Prep Lucy Stone Campus 22 Regina Rd Boston, MA 02124 Codman Square Tech Center 450 Washington St Boston, MA 02124 Ward 18, Precincts 12 and 19 Boston Trinity Academy 17 Hale St Hyde Park, MA 02136 Hyde Park Municipal Building 1179 River St Hyde Park, MA 02136 Ward 19, Precincts 10 and 13 BCYF Roslindale Community Center 6 Cummins Hwy Boston, MA 02131 Washington Irving School 105 Cummins Hwy Roslindale, MA 02131 Additionally, there are five voter entrance changes to polling locations this cycle: WARD/PRECINCT LOCATION VOTER ENTRANCE Ward 5, Precinct 1 41 Berkeley St Boston, MA 02116 Berkeley Street side of the building Ward 5, Precinct 3 24 Beacon St Boston, MA 02133 Bowdoin Street through Ashburton Park Ward 5, Precincts 7 and 8 700 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116 Dartmouth Street side of the building Ward 11, Precinct 2 BCYF Shelburne Center 2730 Washington St Boston, MA 02119 Moved from the community room to the Gymnasium. Enter through the parking lot on Dale Street Ward 18, Precinct 3 Mattahunt Elementary School 100 Hebron Street Mattapan, MA 02126   Moved from the small gymnasium in the Community Center Building to the Cafeteria in the School  Media guidelines Members of the media are reminded that certain rules must be followed in order to ensure a smooth voting process for voters.  Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be done at least 150 feet away. Interviews with election officers at the polling locations are not allowed. Interview requests for the Election Department should be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461. Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each polling location's warden. Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and over-the-shoulder shots will not be allowed. Please respect every voter's right to a private ballot. The City of Boston Election Department will also be available for b-roll shots starting at 7:30 a.m. Unofficial results will be posted online at www.boston.gov after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Updates will be provided periodically via our Facebook and Twitter account: @BostonElections Please do not call the Election Department for results. You will only be referred to the website. For more information about the State Primary, please visit boston.gov/elections or contact the Boston Election Department 617-635-8683 or Election@boston.gov.

Boston Marathon Champion Ambassadors Announced for 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience

Boston Marathon Champion Ambassadors Announced for 124^th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience

BOSTON—The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and Boston Marathon principal sponsor John Hancock have announced that reigning wheelchair champion Daniel Romanchuk, 2018 winner Des Linden, five-time wheelchair champion Tatyana McFadden, and 2014 victor Meb Keflezighi will serve as Champion Ambassadors for the 124^th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience.

“Boston Marathon champions represent the hard work, sacrifice, and determination it takes to reach the finish line,” said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. C.E.O. “As we approach September’s Boston Marathon Virtual Experience, we look forward to connecting our dedicated runners with race champions to further enhance their virtual run.”

Romanchuk, Linden, McFadden, and Keflezighi will inspire and encourage participants in many ways throughout race week. All will participate in a Boston Marathon Champions Panel presented by John Hancock, where they’ll provide insights on what it’s like to win in Boston and tips on covering the marathon distance.

In addition, each champion will be featured on a segment of Boston Marathon Live presented by Amazon and WBZ-TV, a daily race-week show produced by WBZ-TV and streamed online on CBSBoston.com from September 7 through 13. Romanchuk and McFadden will highlight the various elements of wheelchair racing, from equipment to advancements in the sport, while Linden and Keflezighi will detail how they’ve reset their running during the pandemic.

All four champions have also been named as members of this year’s Honorary Boston Marathon Team, which highlights 26 stories of individuals who represent the resilience and community spirit of the Boston Marathon. The team is comprised of community leaders, frontline workers, volunteers, Para athletes, youth ambassadors, and champions, and is being highlighted across the Boston Marathon’s social media channels in the lead up to race week.

Of the four champions, Romanchuk intends to also complete the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience, covering 26.2 miles on race week. Romanchuk hosted a virtual zoom push for wheelchair racers from around the world earlier this year on Patriots’ Day in honor of what would have been 2020 Boston Marathon race day.

“Having won my first Boston Marathon last year, I’m excited to join thousands of participants and cover 26.2 miles as part of the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience,” said Romanchuk. “The community spirit around the Boston Marathon is always strong, and that will stay true this year.”

“The Boston Marathon is a special race, with lots of history and meaningful moments,” said McFadden. “This year’s Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will be a new chapter in race history that I’m honored to be a part of as a Champion Ambassador.”

“The determination and strength of Boston Marathoners is unmatched, and it will definitely be on display around the world for this year’s Boston Marathon Virtual Experience,” said Linden. “While we may not be in Boston, we’re still united in spirit, and as a Champion Ambassador I’ll be supporting from start to finish.”

“Boston Marathoners are determined, and always finish Boston strong,” said Keflezighi. “Training for many months, they’re about to reach the finish of the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience, and as a Champion Ambassador I’m eager to celebrate their journey.”

In addition to the Champion Ambassadors, other race champions, running legends, and John Hancock Elite Athlete Team members will cover miles within their communities in support of the Boston Marathon and virtual marathoners around the world.

Among those who plan to run 26.2 miles recreationally at home include Canadian Olympian Dylan Wykes, U.S Army elite Elkanah Kibet, and Kenyan standout Felix Kandie.

Olympic medalists, national record holders, and professional runners from around the world will also unite as friendly relay teams to cumulatively tally 26.2-miles together on race week. Among Boston Marathon champions to take part include Keflezighi, Lawrence Cherono, Lelisa Desisa, Edna Kiplagat, Yuki Kawauchi, Geoffrey Kirui, Uta Pippig, and Bill Rodgers, as well as American record holder Deena Kastor, two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp, and top Americans Jordan Hasay and Emma Bates. Each will log miles in the spirit of the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience from their neighborhoods.

The 124^th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will be held September 5–14 in neighborhoods around the world. Nearly 18,000 participants from 100 countries are entered, and will have ten days to cover 26.2-miles in one continuous run to earn their B.A.A. unicorn medal and be recognized as a Boston Marathon finisher. The 2020 Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20 and postponed to September 14, was ultimately cancelled in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

ABOUT THE BOSTON MARATHON VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will bring Boston to the world, with participants completing 26.2-miles within their neighborhoods from September 5 through September 14. The B.A.A. will present more than a week’s worth of content that can be accessed digitally worldwide. Boston Marathon Live will air September 7 through September 13 on CBSBoston.com. The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will conclude with the Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams on Monday, September 14.

波士頓市開放四個市營室內游泳池

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES OPENING OF FOUR CITY INDOOR POOLS OPENING Pools will be operated and used in accordance to public health guidelines BOSTON -- Monday, August 31, 2020 -- Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that four indoor swimming pools, BCYF Curtis Hall Pool in Jamaica Plain, BCYF Draper Pool in West Roxbury, BCYF Flaherty Pool in Roslindale and BCYF Mason Pool in Dorchester will open to the public on Wednesday, September 2. These pools join the City of Boston's two outdoor pools, the BCYF Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and the BCYF Mirabella Pool in the North End, in providing Boston residents with a place to enjoy aquatic activities and cool off during the summer. The indoor pools are open year round, while the outdoor pools will be open through Labor Day.  "As we head towards the end of summer, I am pleased we are able to open up indoor swimming options for our residents," said Mayor Walsh. "BCYF has spent a lot of time making sure that safety protocols are in place so that we can open these additional recreational facilities within the current COVID-19 guidelines. I encourage residents to take advantage of these options and continue to take all the precautions: wearing face coverings when out, keeping your distance from others, and washing your hands."       BCYF Draper Pool, Flaherty Pool and Mason Pool will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center pool will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As of now, pools will offer only lap swim to the public. Additional aquatics programming will be added as it's finalized. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, there are several new protocols in place at all BCYF pools:  Visitors must register for a swim time slot at Boston.gov/BCYF-registration as walk-ins will not be allowed. Registration will open tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1. Pool capacity has been reduced to one swimmer per lane for lap swim and roughly 10 percent capacity for youth programming. Registration will go live 24 hours before the following day's sessions and will remain open until all spots are taken or until the session begins, whichever comes first.  Lap swim sessions of 45 minutes each and sessions where youth can register for various aquatics programming will be offered.  When registering for a session, visitors will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. The screening questions will be asked again when checking to the pool for the registered session. Cleaning and disinfecting will occur at opening and closing and between each swim session. Visitors must come dressed to swim as locker rooms/changing areas will be closed. Restrooms (if access is required) can be accessed through a locker room, but visitors cannot use the lockers or changing area. Face coverings (covering the nose and mouth) must be worn at all times when not in the water. Swimming lessons, which would require close physical contact, will not be offered. Social distancing of at least 6 feet is required for all individuals outside of a household group and applies to deck areas, bathrooms, wading areas, the water, and the pool deck. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  Three children under 12 are allowed per adult.

張越麒為波士頓台大、北一女校友免費開Zumba課

張越麒教人跳土風舞。(圖片取自張越麒網頁)

            (Boston Orange)新型冠狀病毒疫情持續不消，怕人在家悶久了會生病，波士頓台大校友會和北一女校友會照顧校友們的身體健康，將請持有金牌教師證書張越麒帶校友們跳Zumba。

            張越麒當年在台大上學時，大二就當上土風舞社副社長，此後又學了國標舞，還當起了老師。定居波士頓後，他也經常在社團活動中帶人跳土風舞。2010年前他開始學跳Zumba，竟一跳就愛上這對他來說算新的舞種，2018年9月還拿到教師執照，之後2019年3月又再晉級，成為Zumba金牌及教師，於是開始趁著午飯時間，在馬伯洛夫(Marlboro)的公司教人跳Zumba，一年多後，他搬到新罕布夏州塞冷市。今年6月初起，為服務社區，他還開始透過zoom，在塞冷市的石橋物業(Stone Bridge Estates)教人跳Zumba，跳國標舞，廣受好評。

在台大校友催促下，張越麒的服務社區教學，現在也要開始讓台大校友受益。波士頓北一女校友會知道了校友鄭慧玲的夫婿要免費開課，當然不能放過機會，於是在會長吳萍萍情商下，波士頓北一女校友也可以一起上課了。

有意上課者可發電郵報名，ychang99@gmail.com，查詢教師資訊可上網Profile: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/yueh-chi-chang/1534762。

波士頓慈濟人文學校9月5日辦開放日

              (Boston Orange) 波士頓慈濟人文學校將於9月5日為幼稚園及各年級新生舉辦開放日，歡迎家長帶子女出席，了解詳情。

             由於新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情尚未完全消除，波士頓慈濟人文學校2020秋季班將以線上教學方式進行。該校相關人員為因應家長及學生的可能需求，8月22日下午趕到慈濟基金會波士頓會所，為學生們準備教材包，安排各項事務。

             慈濟在美國共有25所人文學校。波士頓的慈濟人文學校創立於1998年，秉持慈濟基金會四大志業與八大腳印，發揚教育功能。現任教職員包括校長彭淑敏，副校長齊君明，教務處主任王月娥，輔導主任謝宜芳，防疫安全組陳裕逢等，從幼中班到8年級各有老師任教之外，還有靜思語，手語唱遊，美勞，素食，棋藝，茶道，舞獅，生活藝術花道，靜思人文課程，文化舞蹈，弟子規，書法，國畫，扯鈴，羽毛球，瑜珈等各種課外活動。

             波士頓慈濟人文學校強調該校師資陣容強大，教師助理溫柔細心，致力提升小朋友的中文素質，學習興趣，並培養良好品德。

             該校現已開放幼稚園及各年級新生報名，9月5日下午1點至2點，將在波士頓慈濟會所(15 Summer St., Newton, MA 02464  )舉辦開放日，歡迎家長們網上報名http://www.tzuchiacademyboston.org/，查詢可洽: tcaboston@gmail.com   phone: 6502888792    。(圖由波士頓慈濟提供)

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND IS SUPPORTING BOSTON LYRIC OPERA PARTNERSHIP TO PRODUCE CLEAR-FRONT FACE MASKS FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND IS SUPPORTING BOSTON LYRIC OPERA PARTNERSHIP TO PRODUCE CLEAR-FRONT FACE MASKS FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY

BOSTON - Friday, August 28, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that through a grant provided by the Boston Resiliency Fund, Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) will work with its local costume shop partner, CostumeWorks, to initially produce over 1,800 lip-reading-friendly clear-front face masks to support Boston's Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, and others who rely on facial expression to communicate. BLO will manage distribution of the face masks in partnership with the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The masks produced will be donated, or sold at a discounted rate.  "We know that wearing face masks is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Mayor Walsh. "It is critical that our residents are able to access face masks, and I am pleased that through the Boston Resiliency Fund we are able to support Boston Lyric Opera's unique partnership to create needed face masks for our Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents as well as others who rely on lip-reading and facial expressions to communicate."  "Accessibility is about more than just ramps. This is another example of Mayor Walsh's commitment to ensuring access and inclusion of all persons with disabilities throughout the city's reopening after COVID-19," said Boston Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh. "I would like to thank the BLO for their hard work and dedication in producing these clear masks. Our city thrives because of successful public-private partnerships like this." "Who could predict that a pandemic would bring to us an opportunity like this -- to serve a new community," said Bradley Vernatter, Boston Lyric Opera's Chief Operating Officer.  "Along with the production staff at BLO, the artists at CostumeWorks took great care in designing and delivering a simple, elegant product to help potentially thousands of Boston's Deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens.  At the same time, it puts hard-hit artists back to work, which is a goal we prioritize even if we can't perform live for the time being. We are delighted and thankful to the Boston Resiliency Fund for making this effort possible."   "The pandemic has changed the way all of us communicate but for people who are Deaf or DeafBlind like myself, the pandemic has caused us to do a double adaption - adapting to the way we adapted to communicate with hearing people which was to lip-read or read facial expressions" said Kerry Thompson, Executive Director of Silent Rhythms Boston. "The clear mask has been instrumental for me trying to reintegrate into our society's new normal." Since launching in March to help Boston residents most affected by COVID-19, the Boston Resiliency Fund has distributed over $25.7 million to 340 nonprofit and local organizations and there is $7.6 million in funds remaining.  Fifty-four percent (54%) of grantee organizations are led by a person of color. Fifty-seven percent (57%) are led by women, and 27 percent are immigrant-serving organizations. A map and a list of every organization that has received funding from the Boston Resiliency Fund can be found here.  Since its founding in 1976, Boston Lyric Opera has led the way locally and regionally in celebrating the art of the voice, through innovative programming and community engagement initiatives that redefine the opera-going experience. BLO is the largest and longest-lived opera company in New England. In its 44 years, the company has staged world premieres, U.S. premieres, co-productions and co-commissions of note with artists and organizations from across the country and around the world. Under the leadership of Stanford Calderwood General & Artistic Director Esther Nelson, who recently celebrated a decade with the company, BLO has each year served more than 25,000 people and employed 350 artists and other professionals. It also has strengthened connections to leading local cultural institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Boston Public Library. Engaging the strengths of nimbleness and creativity it has gained in the last five years -- as an itinerant company that creates unique opera experiences in both traditional and found spaces -- during the coronavirus pandemic, BLO has pivoted smoothly to the digital realm with its online platform, and continues to innovate in the industry.

波士頓市已收到2.5萬份提早及郵寄的選票

             (Boston Orange整理報導)波士頓市長馬丁華殊在8月26日匯報疫情時，除了說明確診個案新增57，累計15,320，死亡人數新增0，累計752之外，還闡述了檢測站，供餐，數位應用，使用公家電腦等各種狀況。

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊指出，在8月22日結束的這一週，波士頓市的7天確診平均率，從早前的2.7%降至2.3%。累計確診率和病毒大流行開始相比已降至10%左右。確診個案的平均每日新增數也維持在40到49之間。最近這幾週新增確診個案數增加較多，部分原因是檢測人數增加了很多。

             上週，波士頓市做的檢測，數目又增加了，平均達到一天2028人。現在整個波士頓市，包括流動性的，共有20個檢測站，其中多個檢測站不收費用。波士頓市的流動檢測站直到8月29日都將停在麥特潘(Mattapan)的Jubilee基督教教堂前，免費開放，無論是否有新型冠狀病毒症狀，都可在哪兒做檢測。查詢檢測站資訊，可上網boston.gov/coronavirus。

             上星期，除了東波士頓的平均確診率攀升到11.4%之外，波士頓市其他各地區的確診率都在3.5%以下。波士頓是公共衛生局正在檢視數據，做接觸追蹤，以找出感染源頭，制定干預方式。9月1日波士頓市的流動檢測站將開到東波士頓鄰里健康中心去。

            波士頓是公共衛生廳也已派出流動小組，提供民眾維護安全用品，並以多種語言提供防禦病毒的相關說明。

             馬丁華殊指出，美國農業部已把青年餐食站的日期展延到9月18日，所以波士頓公校及其夥伴可持續安全的為青少年供餐。

馬丁華殊指出，波士頓房屋局(BHA)為約等於波市人口9%的大約58,000人提供住宅。現在波士頓住宅局和地方企業及非牟利機構合作，將充分利用CARES法案提供的250萬元補助，為貧困居民提供高達23萬份餐食，給4100戶低收入家庭。其中170萬元將和位於洛士百利，多徹斯特的麻州廚房(Commonwealth Kitchen)，Nubian廣場的Haley屋，以及洛士百利的大波士頓青年會合作，用於支援波士頓房屋局的家庭餐食計畫。另外的73萬元用於和Ethos合作，支持為大約3000名耆英、殘障人士送餐上門計畫。波士頓彈性基金(Boston Resiliency Fund)將撥款50萬元支持這一活動。

在選舉上，波市選務局已收到9萬份郵寄選票要求，正從8月26日開始處理。以郵寄選票提早投票者，可以到市政府大樓的兩個收票箱投擲選票。迄今，波士頓市已收到24600份填妥的選票，其中包括6000份提早投票，18,500份郵寄選票。查詢可撥打311或親自到boston.gov/elections 獲取資訊。

麻州春田市5130萬元榆樹街史蹟酒店翻修計畫啟動

               (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州州長查理貝克(Chalie Baker)，春田市市長Domenic Sarno，國會議員Richard Neal，以及來自麻州互惠，米高梅(MGM)，麻州住宅(MassHousing)等機構的代表，8月27日一早，在雨聲中宣佈啟動春田市榆樹街的5130萬元重新發展及保護計畫。

               預定2020年11月就可完工的這一發展計畫，包括把已成史蹟的前法院廣場酒店，還有榆樹街上的拜耳區(Byers Block)，翻修改建成有74個市價住宅單位，以及工薪階級公寓的大樓，期以紓緩春田市中心的住宅需求。

               這棟大樓的一樓，將翻修成零售店面及餐館，上面的樓層就從原有的酒店房間改成一睡房或二睡房的公寓。

               這一發展項目得以進行，全賴前所未有的公家機關和私營企業合作，包括春田市重建局和春田市政府動用了來自清除榆樹街樓宇潛在危險品的400萬元環境清潔費。

               其他以貸款形式取得的資金來源，包括麻州互惠的500萬元，麻州住宅工薪住宅計畫的1450萬元，米高梅的1600萬元等。

               發展商OPAL/Winn還爭取到了1130萬元的州政府及聯邦政府的歷史建物抵稅優惠，加上公會行業提供的50萬元住宅金援助，湊足了動工所需的5130萬元。

               麻州州長查理貝克表示，在這麼多不同機構的合作下，重新發展春田市這一史蹟地，終於可行了。

全美失業問題仍然嚴重 上週又有100萬人申報

             (Boston Orange編譯)根據美聯社報導，上週又有100萬名美國人申請失業救濟了，彰顯著新型冠狀病毒持續影響就業市場。麻州勞工廳8月21日公佈的麻州失業數據，則是麻州略有進步，失業率從全美排名第一的17.7%，回降到16.1%。

             美國的房屋市場，汽車銷售，以及其他的經濟領域都出現從春季時的崩潰中回升跡象，但就業市場仍在掙扎。

             美國勞工部週四公佈的數據顯示，上週新申請失業救濟的人數，已從前一週的110萬人減少了9萬8000人，但仍然有如3月底以來的大多數情況，每週申請人數都超過100萬。在病毒大流行之前，一週之內的申請人數從來沒超過70萬。

             現在有1450萬人在領取傳統的失業救濟福利，比一年前多了170萬人，顯示著許多美國家庭仍然在依靠失業救濟福利度日。

             許多符合資格的失業者，在7月31日以前，還可收到一週600元的聯邦政府額外補助。但由於共和黨、民主黨在提供更多補助上未達成協議，這筆錢已停發了，不過川普總統在8月8日簽署了行政命令，提供了縮減版的額外補助。目前全美至少有39州已接受獲表示將申請這筆聯邦經費，為符合資格的失業者提供一週300元或400元的額外補助。

             麻州勞工廳的統計數計顯示，7月分內麻州增加了7萬2100份工作機會，私營企業類的娛樂接待，貿易，交通，水電，教育及醫療服務等增加的工作機會比較多。

             和2019年同期相比，麻州失去了45萬2600個工作機會。娛樂接待業情況最嚴重，其次為貿易，交通及水電，建築。

             麻州的7月份失業率比全美失業率的10.2%高5.9%。全州的勞動力比6月份時的368萬4300人減少了12,6000人。

麻州COVID-19確診率降至1% 新增個案365

             (Boston Orange  編譯)麻州公共衛生廳8月27日公佈的新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)數據是，在25,340人做了分子檢測後，確診個案新增365，累計117,450，死亡人數新增20，累計8,775。

             目前麻州有333人因為新型冠狀病毒住院，其中61人住在重症病房。

             根據聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)，全美約有580萬宗新型冠狀病毒確診個案，死亡人數已達17萬8,998。

             根據紐約時報的分析，過去2週來，全美的每日新增個案比率已下降了21%，在這期間，全美有21州的新增確診比率持平，麻州是其中之一，而且麻州的感染率已降至疫情爆發以來的最低點，約1%。

             屋斯特郡(Worcester)的Sutton鎮，米斗塞郡(Middlesex)的傅萊明罕市(Framingham)登上了”高危”地區榜。

             波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)指出，東波士頓的確診率高達11.4%，比確診率次高的社區高了3倍，市府將檢視數據，並追蹤接觸，以了解新個案源頭，找出最好的干預方法。

             波士頓市公佈的8月27日新型冠狀病毒數據為，目前仍在治療中的確診個案2,895，較前減少了28宗，累計總數達15,374，共增加了54宗，死亡人數持平，752。

昆士市疫情綠色 學校開學方式仍待確定

                (Boston Orange綜合報導)昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch)在8月26日的疫情匯報中請居民保持耐心，目前情況平穩，當天僅新增5宗確診個案，在州政府的顏色分類中，暫列綠色。昆市府也提醒民眾，9月1日是美國總統的黨派初選日，民眾可到市政府大樓門外的投票箱投票。

             昆士市長柯奇和麻州州長查理貝克，波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)都採用視頻直播方式，向民眾匯報新型冠狀病毒疫情的發展狀況。

              8月26日這天的視頻匯報，長3分56秒。柯奇傳遞的訊息很簡明扼要。他說明有5宗新增確診個案，每日新增個案數的兩週平均數為3.1，一週平均數為2.4，累計確診個案數為1527，其中1323已痊癒，135人死亡，有15人還在醫治中。在州政府的紅，黃，綠，白四種顏色分類中，昆士市屬於綠色，亦即每10萬人有4宗確診個案，希望能早日進步到白色的最安全狀態。

             柯奇表示，秋季開學在即，許多家長都關心到底該怎麼做，但今年很特別，昆士市將遵循州政府的指導原則，並由7人組成的學校委員會討論，再確定政策與做法。他雖然是學校委員會主席，但也只有一張票，所以結果如何，還有待後續發展。

             由於昆士市學校委員會在8月13日投票通過了混合實體和網路的方案，從9月16日開學起，只有年紀最小，以及高需求的學生，可以部份時間回校上課，其他的所有學生都暫時先藉網路上課，再逐漸視情況調整。8月26日晚Amy Jean發動了許多學生家長，聚集在中央中學前呼籲學校委員會准許所有年紀的學生都可部分時間回校上課。他們認為春季時的網路上課已證明效果不佳。

            昆士市政府這兩天也在提醒選民，今年的美國總統大選，將於9月1日舉行黨派初選。如果生病了，或曾和確診者有過接觸，就不應該去投票站投票，可以打電話(617-376-1144)查詢如何從家裡投票。

          有意提前投票的選民，在8月22日至28日之間可以投票。除了郵寄投票之外，選民可把選票帶到市政府大樓(1305 Hancock St)前的投票箱，投擲進去。有問題，可打電話給市府選務局617-376-1130。

                  決定到投票站投票的選民，要記得戴口罩，帶隻藍色或黑色的筆，不想盡投票亭的人，得自己帶個硬板，好填寫選票。最好把身分證也帶著，已被萬一選票站的人要求投票者出示身分證明。在投票站中不要碰觸自己的臉，和人要保持6英尺的安全社交距離等。