Kim Janey宣佈32萬餘元補助27個公共藝術項目 吳友雯、徐乙漾入選

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES 27 SHORT-TERM PUBLIC ART PROJECTS AND ACTIVATIONS FUNDED IN FIRST PHASE OF TRANSFORMATIVE PUBLIC ART PROGRAM

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Art Commission, today announced 27 short-term public art projects and activations will receive grants totaling $323,950 this summer as part of the first phase of the City’s Transformative Public Art Program.  “These public art projects and activations are a wonderful way to come together and experience joy, recovery, and renewal,” said Mayor Janey. “I encourage everyone to enjoy and engage with these projects in our inviting and accessible public spaces.” This is the third year of the Transformative Public Art Program. Last year, 24 public art projects were awarded grants totaling $35,000. In addition to the $273,950 allocated by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture this year, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) allocated $50,000 to projects based in Roxbury’s Nubian Square. The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture allocated another $350,000 to mural projects as part of this program, and those will be announced later this summer. The program relaunched as a key part of the Mayor’s Joy Agenda, which is a citywide invitation, opportunity, and investment in our collective well being. This program aligns with the Joy Agenda’s goals to provide job opportunities for creative workers across various neighborhoods that contribute to the city’s recovery from COVID-19. This year, the call for applications included three different opportunities that funded mural projects at locations identified by the City and artists who had a specific, short-term project and location in mind. Projects could include murals, new media, traditional media, installations or performances, community-engaged cultural practices, social practice, or elements that specifically engage youth and/or non-English speaking communities. “The Transformative Public Art Program allows us to invest in individual artists who continue to need increased support due to the impacts of COVID-19, while bringing cultural gatherings and activations of space to communities across the City,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. Projects selected in this first phase of the 2021 Transformative Public Art Program include:  ·    Yu-Wen Wu’s citywide light-based project that joyously celebrates the diverse communities using neon as a sculpture light piece. ·    Dayenne Walters’s project “Billboard Hope,” a curated billboard project in John Eliot Square in Roxbury that features the work of a different local artist every month on the theme of “Hope and Inspiration for the Future.”  ·    Black Market Nubian’s Nubiana, a community-driven place-making initiative envisioned to activate the Roxbury Cultural District with dynamic artwork curated by over 40 artists at the Blair Lot. ·    Daphne Xu’s “The Immigrant History Trail,” a multimedia creative placekeeping project that uplifts and preserves the diverse immigrant, working-class histories of Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. ·    Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation’s Sanative Summer Arts Fest 2021 project, an arts festival held at Oasis @ Bartlett, Nuestra’s new public arts park in Nubian Square, devised to explore joy and healing in COVID-impacted Roxbury. ·    Dunamis’ Jamaica Plain Porchfest 2021, a two-day event that will focus on highlighting BIPOC organizations and creatives who are committed to sharing their art with the community of Jamaica Plain. ·    Boston Children’s Chorus’ summer series, BCC WE SING, taking place in public parks throughout Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Chelsea, and Chinatown.  ·    Allison Tanenhaus and Maria Finkelmeier’s interactive multimedia mural that will crowdsource and creatively process the sounds and sights of Allston-Brighton. The mural projects funded through the Transformative Public Art Program will be announced later this summer. To learn more about the Transformative Public Art Program and see the complete list of grantees, visit here.

大學沙龍: 中國地方政府績效的滿意度:來自調查的證據 8/8

主持人楊雪冬

哈佛大學甘迺迪政府學院教授Anthony Saich
直言，現在做中國研究越來越不容易。

余可平教授。

Kim Janey任命Alison Brizius為波士頓環保局局長

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES DR. ALISON BRIZIUS APPOINTED AS COMMISSIONER OF THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT   BOSTON - Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey announced that she has appointed Dr. Alison Brizius as Commissioner of the Environment Department. In this role, Dr. Brizius will be responsible for supporting the Department in achieving its mission of enhancing environmental justice and quality of life in Boston by protecting air, water, climate, and land resources, as well as preserving and improving the integrity of Boston's architectural and historic resources. Dr. Brizius will assume the role previously held by Carl Spector, who has retired after 16 years with the Environment Department.  Dr. Brizius has extensive background in supporting the City of Boston in mitigating and adapting to the negative effects of climate change. Dr. Brizius is currently the Director of Climate and Environmental Planning for the City of Boston, a position she has held since 2017. She manages the Environment Department's work on climate adaptation and resilience, greenhouse gas reduction, air and noise pollution, wetlands protection, parking freezes, and solid waste. Prior to her position with the City, Dr. Brizius was the Executive Director of the Center for Robust Decision making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP) at the University of Chicago, a multi-institutional interdisciplinary center founded to improve society's ability to respond to climate change and energy supply challenges. She received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago.  “Right now, our communities are experiencing the impacts of climate change and it has never been more critical to take urgent action to protect our residents’ health and quality of life,” said Mayor Janey. “Dr. Brizius has a wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership that makes her the right person to lead the charge in reducing our city’s carbon emissions and preparing our residents for the effects of climate change.”  As Environment Commissioner, Dr. Brizius will oversee programs related to climate mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection, historic preservation, and other aspects of sustainability. Dr. Brizius and her colleagues in the Environment Department are responsible for steering the City of Boston toward the goals outlined in Boston’s Climate Action Plan Update, which outlines strategies to reduce carbon emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Among related programs, the Environment Department includes the Air Pollution and Control Commission, the Conservation Commission, and the Boston Landmarks Commission. Dr. Brizius began her new role on Monday, August 2nd.  Mayor Janey’s Administration is taking steps to recognize and address the risks of climate change, and to protect Boston’s urban ecosystem. Mayor Janey’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget includes significant investments for environmental resilience and climate justice including: ·    $48 million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City-owned buildings to create future energy savings. ·    $5 million to support the development of a Climate Ready Boston Harbor Study that will examine the feasibility of measures along and within the harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change. ·    $20 million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront park along the Fort Point Channel. ·    $4 million in workforce development and training opportunities for green jobs in the environment. ·    $1 million in workforce development and training opportunities for zero waste and mobility jobs. ·    $500,000 to support residents in making energy efficient upgrades to their homes. ·    $340,000 to support a new Healthy Places Initiative targeted for environmental justice populations, who often live in hotter neighborhoods with less tree canopy cover. ·    $200,000 towards the preservation and maintenance of historic and cultural sites in Boston.    Mayor Janey also recently appointed Reverend Mariama White-Hammond as Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston. The Cabinet includes the Environment Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. As Chief, Rev. White-Hammond oversees policy and programs on energy, climate change, sustainability, building safety, historic preservation, and open space. ‌ ‌

洛士百利週一晚槍響40聲 無人傷亡也無人被捕

             (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓警察在週一(2日)晚上接獲舉報，洛士百利槍響幾十聲，9點05分趕到Brunswick街50號，發現40顆子彈碎片。

                                一名警察發言人說，槍彈掃及6輛車，2棟樓，但未射到或傷及任何人。

                                截至週二下午，警方還未逮捕任何人。

                                和2020年相比，今年發生的槍擊案數量較少，截至上週日為止，全市共發生過107宗槍擊案，和去年同期有134宗相比，減少了20%。

                            今年迄今為止有122名槍擊案受害人，比去年同期的160人減少了24%。

                                在這122名槍傷受害人中，13人死了，比去年同期的有30人死亡，低了57%。

                                不過持械被捕案件，今年卻增加了。波士頓警察迄今已執行了370次有關槍械的逮捕行動，比去年同期的292宗增加了27%。

TAAF發表聲明 促新冠病毒源起調查機構審慎

(Boston Orange 編譯) 亞美基金會 (TAAF)8月3日發佈聲明，回應共和黨眾議會外國事務委員會成員，眾議員Rep. Michael McCaul所發表，有關新冠病毒大流行源起的報告。

TAAF稱該，報告讓人對新冠病毒是由發現病毒的武漢病毒研究所洩漏出來的，感到更加擔憂。

亞美基金會會長Sonal Shah回應該報告，發表了以下聲明:

亞美基金會非常擔憂，在新冠病毒大流行期間已然陡增的反亞裔仇恨及暴力，會把該報告的內容當作武器來搧風點火。亞裔社區已經被當作代罪羔羊，被責怪，成為數目極高的仇恨事件對象，然而美國原本是個不容許這類事情發生的地方。所以只要新冠病毒大流行源起的調查繼續，調查者在發佈發現時，把亞裔的安全考慮進去事至關重要的。亞裔基金會致力和夥伴合作，改善危機預防及回應架構，以確保我們的社區，未來在免於反亞裔仇恨及暴力上被保護得更好。

                           拜登政府正在做自己的新冠病毒源起調查，五月時，拜登總統要求情報社區就新冠病毒源起，給他一份報告，這報告預定於今夏稍後完成。

                             亞裔基金會創立於2021年5月，旨在解決長期以來的亞裔社區得不到投資與資源等問題，並先從反仇恨，數據及研究，教育等三方面著手。在反仇恨上，由於反亞裔仇恨及暴力事件有著持續的驚人發生率，反仇恨工作尤其重要。從2019年到2020年，針對亞裔社區的仇恨犯罪，在紐約市增加率高達833%，在洛杉磯增加率高達114%。

TAAF President Releases Statement on COVID-19 Origins Report From Leading GOP House Foreign Affairs Committee Member 

 WASHINGTON, DC, August 3, 2021 — The Asian

American Foundation ("TAAF") today shared a statement in response to the report released Monday by the ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report raises growing concerns that the pandemic was started by a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, located in the city of Wuhan where the virus was first detected.

 Sonal Shah, President of TAAF, released the following statement in response to the report:

 “TAAF is deeply concerned that the findings in this report will be weaponized to fan the flames of anti-AAPI hate and violence that have already been surging throughout the pandemic. AAPI communities have been scapegoated, blamed, and subjected to extremely high numbers of hate incidents, which have no place in America. We cannot let the public health crisis continue to give way to a crisis of hate in our communities. So as long as investigations into the origins of the pandemic continue, it is imperative that investigators communicate their findings with the safety of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in mind. Working with our partners, TAAF is committed to improving crisis prevention and response infrastructure that will ensure our communities are better protected from anti-AAPI hate and violence in the future.”

The Biden administration is conducting its own investigation into the origins of the pandemic and in May President Biden called on the Intelligence Community to provide a report to him on the origins of COVID-19 which is expected later this summer.

TAAF was founded in May 2021 to help solve the longstanding lack of investment and resources provided to AAPI communities. To start, it is focusing its efforts on three key areas of concern: anti-hate, data and research, and education. Its anti-hate work continues to be especially important as anti-AAPI hate and violence persist at alarming rates. From 2019 to 2020, hate crimes targeting AAPI communities have increased by 833% in New York City and 114% in Los Angeles.

謝淑薇、謝語倢兩姊妹波士頓雙打首戰告捷 僑胞興奮揮國旗

謝淑薇(左起)和哥哥謝政宇，妹妹謝語倢一起來波士頓參賽。
(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州康可鎮報導)台灣女子職業網球手謝淑薇和妹妹謝語倢8月2日在麻州康可鎮參加國際女子網球協會(WTA)巡迴賽的Thoreau網球公開賽125，雙打首戰告捷。8月3日，謝淑薇將有一場單打賽程。

              根據WTA巡迴賽網站上的Thoreau網球公開賽資訊，這場比賽有32人單打，16組雙打，獎金總額115,000元。5呎7吋高，現年35歲的謝淑薇，2021年迄今已參加過22場比賽，共贏得89萬3690元獎金。

謝淑薇(左起)，謝語倢，謝政宇三兄妹賽後自拍。(周菊子攝)

              目前在WTA排名中，單打下跌2名，排第75名，雙打排第4名的謝淑薇，今年早前才在澳洲的網球公開賽的單打部分，打敗多名選手，贏得她個人網球生涯中的首次晉級大滿貫八強，成為台灣繼2010年盧彥勳之後的第二位，也是年紀最大，已35歲的首次晉級大滿貫單打八強選手。

              2日的比賽，謝淑薇和排名第196的妹妹謝語倢和2名美國選手，排名第94的Lauren Davis ，以及排名第101的Christina Mchale對陣。競比一小時下來，以6比3，輕鬆贏得比賽。

              8月2日下午，包括紐英倫客家鄉親會的邱西薔，林岱，以及前台大校友會會長吳杏玫，有不少來自台灣的僑胞，特地趕到會場為謝淑瑋、謝語倢兩姊妹加油，打氣。波士頓僑教中心也運送了一小批中美國旗到會場，讓僑胞們拿在手中揮舞，增加氣勢。

              WTA的Thoreau網球公開賽125採單淘汰制，從8月2日開賽後，每天的賽程隨之前一天的比賽結果來編排，紐英崙中華專業人員協會刻正揪團，3日將再組隊前往康可鎮助陣。

Thoreau球場內的義工和謝淑薇兩姊妹合影。(周菊子攝)

Baker-Polito Administration Visits Homeownership Project in Everett, Highlights $1 Billion Housing Plan Using Federal Funds

Baker-Polito Administration Visits Homeownership Project in Everett, Highlights $1 Billion Housing Plan Using Federal Funds 

Proposed Investments Would Help Communities of Color Build Wealth Through Homeownership

EVERETT – The Baker-Polito Administration today joined municipal officials and community leaders in Everett to celebrate progress of the redevelopment of the St. Therese parish property into new housing for families and seniors. The project is supported by the Administration’s CommonWealth Builder initiative, which aims to connect families with homeownership opportunities so they can build wealth, especially in communities of color. The Administration highlighted its proposal to invest $1 billion in housing initiatives like CommonWealth Builder as part of its $2.9 billion plan to invest a portion of Massachusetts’ federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act in urgent priorities to support communities of color and low-income workers.

“Our Administration is proud to support the work happening at the former St. Therese property in Everett because we know the difference these new homes will make in people’s lives,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our proposal to invest $1 billion in housing priorities using a portion of Massachusetts’ federal funds would enable the CommonWealth Builder program to have an even greater impact as we seek to connect more families with homeownership opportunities and the chance to build long-term wealth. By making these investments, we can accelerate an equitable recovery, support those who were hardest-hit by the pandemic, and create real and lasting change in communities across Massachusetts.”

“New housing builds stronger communities, and the redevelopment of St. Therese is a showcase for the kinds of housing opportunities we want to unlock across Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration has helped create and preserve 19,000 affordable homes, and we now have the chance to do so much more. Thousands of new homes throughout the state are waiting to break ground, and with $1 billion in federal recovery funds, we can create opportunities for the communities and residents who were hardest hit by the pandemic.”

The Neighborhood Developers is in the process of transforming the former church property into 77 new affordable rental homes with supportive services for seniors, as well as 6 townhomes which will be sold to working families at affordable prices. It anticipates accepting applications to live in the apartments and townhomes by early 2022.

The Neighborhood Developers is building the affordable senior rental homes with affordable housing resources from the Commonwealth and with MassDevelopment financing. The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will provide on-site services to senior residents. The for-sale townhomes are being developed under MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder Program, which advances new homeownership and wealth-building opportunities for first-time homebuyers in communities of color.

The Baker-Polito Administration is proposing to invest $1 billion in direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into housing to support populations hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and help communities of color build wealth.  From that total, $500 million in federal funds would be dedicated to expanding homeownership opportunities in communities hardest-hit by COVID-19 pandemic by supporting first-time homebuyers and scaling up the CommonWealth Builder Program. The Administration has also proposed investing $500 million in federal funding to create more affordable rental homes, including service-rich rental units for seniors and veterans.

“Our housing crisis demands a strategy that will result in more housing of all types across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “Thanks to MassHousing for implementing the CommonWealth Builder program, we can target homeownership opportunities to families that have historically faced barriers to purchasing homes and the chance to build the wealth that comes along with it.”

“The City of Everett is proud to have partnered with The Neighborhood Developers to construct a development that will boast our affordable senior housing and townhomes for first time home buyers,” said Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “The site of St. Therese holds a special place in our community’s heart, and we proudly made the decision to repurpose this site as a place that will continue to serve the community. I am grateful for the combined efforts of the Baker-Polito Administration, The Neighborhood Developers, MassHousing, Mass Development, and East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to help the City of Everett continue our efforts in providing a home for all of our residents.”

“TND is grateful for being one of the first participants in The Commonwealth Builder program, which is designed to begin to remedy a history of exclusion and disinvestment by expanding homeownership opportunities in gateway communities like Everett,” said The Neighborhood Developers Director of Real Estate Development Steve Laferriere “With the six townhomes at St. Therese, we are taking a small step towards dismantling the racial wealth gap by offering families the opportunity to become homeowners. At the same time, we are also ensuring seniors can afford to age in place here. We are grateful to the Baker-Polito administration because none of this would be possible without their support and leadership.”

“MassHousing is excited to partner with The Neighborhood Developers and the City of Everett, to deliver new homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers,” said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. “We have the opportunity to deliver real change, at scale, in communities across Massachusetts, by confronting housing disparities in communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic.” 

“The state’s shortage of housing supply was a growing concern before COVID-19, but we saw the impacts of this issue exacerbated by the pandemic – particularly for our most vulnerable residents,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “That’s why projects like this one that will provide homes for more than 80 families and seniors are timely and important, and why the Commonwealth must meet this moment by creating more rental housing units and homeownership opportunities across Massachusetts. MassDevelopment was proud to deliver a $9.1 million tax-exempt bond to help The Neighborhood Developers create 33 affordable rental units here at St. Therese, and we will continue to be a resource for building and preserving housing in the communities that need it most.”

"I am so excited to be here today and watch the progress of a much-anticipated project,” said State Representative Joseph McGonagle. “I think this residential facility is going to be fantastic for Everett and I've already had so many residents reach out and express their enthusiasm as well. I am grateful that we can redevelop the St. Therese site as a community residence to keep the people of Everett in Everett. Many thanks to Mayor DeMaria, The Neighborhood Developers and Governor Charlie Baker for their work here today.”

 

"The pandemic has further proven that overall health and well-being is inextricably tied to housing and other non-medical factors,” said East Boston Neighborhood Health Center CEO Manny Lopes. “Thanks to support from Governor Baker, The City of Everett, The Neighborhood Developers, and OppCo we're thrilled to be one step closer to bringing a comprehensive set of services to this new, innovative complex in Everett. With affordable housing and high-quality healthcare under the same roof, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, alongside our partners, looks forward to maximizing impact on older adults in the community for decades to come.”

 

The Baker-Polito Administration initially proposed its plan to invest a portion of Massachusetts’ federal funds in June at an event in Haverhill highlighting a CommonWealth Builder project. The Administration initially launched the CommonWealth Builder program with a $60 million investment in 2019. Learn more about the program.

Kim Janey宣佈波士頓居民防止驅逐資源

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES EVICTION PREVENTION RESOURCES FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS  As the federal eviction moratorium ends, housing funds and assistance are still available for tenants, landlords, and homeowners   BOSTON - Monday, August 2, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey has announced City of Boston funding and other assistance to help Boston renters stay stably housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium for renters, Mayor Janey is raising awareness about City of Boston protections and resources available to keep tenants in their homes, as well as State and Federal programs to assist landlords and homeowners worried about foreclosure. “I am committed to offering lifelines to Boston residents facing economic distress due to the ongoing pandemic,” said Boston Mayor Kim Janey. “Strong neighborhoods and stable housing are essential to Boston’s recovery, reopening, and renewal. I urge Boston tenants, landlords, and homeowners who need help to take advantage of resources offered by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth. Although the federal eviction moratorium has expired, tenants are not without protection due to the extension of the MA Chapter 257 requirement that courts pause non-payment eviction cases if tenants have pending applications for rental assistance. These protections are part of new state law, Chapter 20, and will remain in effect until April 2022. Tenants should notify housing court that they have applied for rental assistance, and be aware that a landlord cannot evict anyone without a Court Order. The City of Boston’s Office of Housing Stability has access to $50 million in Rental Relief Funds and also offers housing crisis coordinators available by phone or in person who can assist tenants who need help. The City of Boston has also partnered with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) to create a dedicated rental arrears program to support tenants of the BHA. Immigration status is not a consideration for receiving rental assistance from the City of Boston.  To access rental assistance, legal advice and assistance, and housing search help, please visit boston.gov/housingstability or email OHSintake@boston.gov to learn more about how to access available resources. If you have an urgent housing issue or have further questions about resources, please call 617-635-4200 for assistance.  For individuals in immediate need of shelter, the City shelters at Woods-Mullen and Southampton Street shelters are open 24/7 and have capacity to accept more guests. In addition, the City works closely with other homeless shelter providers to connect residents with help. A complete list of shelters, daytime resources, and locations offering meals can be found here.  Boston’s Rental Relief Fund has awarded more than $17 million to over 3,200 households in every neighborhood in Boston since it was created in April 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 global pandemic. More than 70% of RRF applicants are from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) households.  More than 30% of applicants reported that they work or formerly worked in Boston’s hard-hit hospitality industry.   The Office of Housing Stability (OHS) has partnered with Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) to ensure that Boston tenants who reach out to OHS seeking legal assistance get access to legal representation.  Housing court navigators and lawyers are at the Housing Court when it is in session. Tenants who find themselves in front of a judge without a lawyer should ask for one. The OHS hosts weekly legal clinics and office hours for tenants needing assistance and can connect them with a landlord counselor, OHS Staff, or a Greater Boston Legal Services Attorney. Tenants can find information on what to do if they are facing eviction on the OHS website. In November of 2020, the City passed the Housing Stability Notification Act, which requires that any landlord planning to end a tenancy provides tenants with a Notice of Tenant’s Rights and Resources. Landlords are required to submit a copy of the notice to quit (the first step in the eviction process) and notice of non-renewal of lease to the City’s Office of Housing Stability, which allows city agencies to proactively reach out to offer support around unpaid rent or other services that are needed to avoid evictions. The tenant rights include: a landlord cannot move their belongings out of their apartment; cannot change their locks; cannot shut off their utilities; or interfere with their use of the unit without permission from the court. Public service messaging about this and other tenant rights is being disseminated in multiple languages throughout Boston. Stabilization services are also available to landlords who are facing foreclosure or having trouble meeting their mortgage obligations.