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星期四, 7月 21, 2022
City of Boston funding update
麻州乾旱程度升至三級
Massachusetts Continues to Experience Drought Conditions
Northeast and Central Regions Elevated to Critical Drought Status as Watersheds are Further Impacted
BOSTON — With the majority of the state currently experiencing elevated temperatures and forecasts predicting little to no meaningful precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card today declared a Level 3-Critical Drought in the Northeast and Central Regions of the state. The Southeast, and Connecticut River Valley Regions will remain at a Level 2-Significant Drought, and the Cape Cod Region will join the Islands and Western Regions at Level 1-Mild Drought. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level-3 Critical Drought and a Level 2-Significant Drought calls for the convening of an inter-agency Mission Group, which has already been convened, to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts and response within the government. Additionally, a Level 1-Mild Drought recommends detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.
“As the state endures high temperatures and little precipitation, now more than ever it is critical that we all practice water conservation methods across the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “Minimizing water use now, especially in areas like the Millers and Nashua River watersheds, will allow local water supply systems and natural habitats to rebound more quickly, and will also ensure water resources are available for essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection.”
“As the hot temperatures continue and drought conditions worsen, residents can assist by following any local water restrictions for their area and minimizing indoor and outdoor water usage,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “Given the dry conditions, residents are urged to be cautious around BBQs, campfires and other outdoor activities to prevent brush and forest fires.”
Since the start of July 2022, hydrological conditions have further declined across Massachusetts, and the entire state is under experiencing drought conditions. Areas of higher concern are the Millers River Watershed in the Central Region and the Nashua River Watershed in the Northeast and Central Regions. The two watersheds are particularly impacted due to greater precipitation deficits and impacts to streamflow, and higher extent of evapotranspiration. The Month-to-date (MTD) average temperatures are near normal across Massachusetts, but temperature highs are above normal, especially across the eastern part of the state with many days near or above 90 degrees. Additionally, precipitation deficits were most significant in the eastern and north central parts of the state. Currently, streamflow has been seriously impacted with large deficits and near record low flows in some locations.
Massachusetts is also experiencing dry streambeds, ponding, and diminished extent of streams in many watersheds leading to lack of flow, increased turbidity, and increase in growth of plants and algae in the water. Furthermore, groundwater, which is a slow reacting index, is starting to be impacted in many regions. Fire activity has increased across the eastern half of the state as drought conditions have set in, and wildfires in remote areas with delayed response are now burning deep into the organic soil layers. Drought induced fire behavior can result in suppression challenges for fire resources and result in extended incidents so residents are asked to exercise caution while working with open flames.
Furthermore, farms have started to experience drought impacts on production acreage and are irrigating crops on a more consistent basis due to current precipitation deficits, high temperatures, and low soil moisture. Farms are maintaining current planting and harvest cycles and minimal impacts to seasonal yields are expected. However, this could change if drought conditions in the Commonwealth worsen over the coming weeks. Consumers are encouraged to continue to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at local farm stands and retail stores throughout the Commonwealth.
It is important to note that the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not currently experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its individual plan. However, private wells, local streams, wetlands, vernal pools, and other water-dependent habitats located within MWRA-serviced areas will be impacted by drought conditions while water quality in ponds can deteriorate due to lowering of levels and stagnation.
Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and working within a Level 3 – Critical Drought, Level 2 – Significant Drought and Level 1 – Mild Drought region, including those utilizing a private well. Residents and businesses are also asked to check with their local water system in case more stringent watering restrictions are in place.
For Regions in Level 3 – Critical Drought
Residents and Businesses:
- Minimize overall water use.
- Stop all non-essential outdoor watering.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
- Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 3 restriction calls for a ban on all nonessential outdoor water use.
- Provide timely information on the drought and on water conservation tips to local residents and businesses.
- Enforce water use restrictions with increasingly stringent penalties.
- Strongly discourage or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
- Establish or enhance water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
- Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
- Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
- Prepare to activate emergency inter-connections for water supply.
- Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 2 – Significant Drought
Residents and Businesses:
- Minimize overall water use;
- Limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
- Follow local water use restrictions, if more stringent.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
- Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 2 restriction calls for limiting outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. If local restrictions are more stringent, continue to keep them in place during the course of the drought.
- Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
- Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
- Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
- Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
- Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
- Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
- Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 1 – Mild Drought
Residents and Businesses:
- Toilets, faucets and showers are more than 60% of indoor use. Make sure yours are WaterSense efficient.
- Limit outdoor watering to one day a week (only from 5:00 pm – 9:00 am), or less frequently if required by your water supplier
Immediate Steps for Communities:
- Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought.
- Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
- Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
- Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
- Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
- Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
- Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
- Develop a local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
Taking water conservation steps now will greatly help reduce water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and to sustain the Commonwealth’s water supplies in the long-term. Additionally, the Commonwealth will continue to monitor and assess current conditions and any associated environmental and agricultural impacts, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to provide technical assistance to communities on managing systems, including emergency connections and water supplies assistance.
“Between the lack of precipitation and the extreme heat, we are seeing conditions degrade quickly particularly in certain areas of the state,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “We strongly encourage all water users, including private well-owners, to take immediate steps to reduce their demands, and to follow recommendations and requirements outlined by your local public water supplier.”
The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 1:00PM. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, please visit EEA’s drought page and water conservation page. To get the most up-to-date information on the drought indices, go to the state’s drought dashboard page.
波士頓僑教中心辦 iTaiwan 體驗營鼓勵僑青和在地社團及台灣加強聯繫
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| iTaiwan體驗營深入當代國際藝術苑，請謝茵介紹她開山闢地的故事。 (周菊子攝) |
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| 波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮 (右) 送紀念品給吳宗勳，感謝他做導覽。 (周菊子攝) |
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| 慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處師姐許秀妃、黃素玲應波士頓僑教中心之邀，向iTaiwan體驗營 學員們介紹該機構著重個案拜訪，探訪老人院，發放食物，環保清潔等工作內容。 |
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| 波士頓經文處科技組楊明儀說明科技部重要政策及方案。 |
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| 謝茵欣喜表示見到iTaiwan體驗營學員來自台灣的年輕人，讓她有回家的感覺。 (周菊子攝) |
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| 藍凡耘(右一)等年輕人仔細聆聽介紹。 (周菊子攝) |
活動結束時，iTaiwan 體驗營學員們都很感謝波士頓僑教中心舉辦這活動，紛紛表示收穫良多。
星期三, 7月 20, 2022
美國總統拜登、英國王子威廉今日 (7/20)在波士頓爭取環保光輝
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| 英國威廉王子在推特上宣佈「地球儀獎」，今年12月來波士頓頒發。 |
「地球儀
(Earthshot)獎」是英國王子威廉和皇家基金會所創辦，強調要為氣候及環境變化找解決方案的獎項，發100萬英鎊 (約140萬美元)給5個領域中保護級重塑自然，恢復海洋，打造無廢物世界的創新及科學研發項目。該機構今早在推特上發佈視頻，由威廉王子親自揭露將來美國波士頓舉辦頒獎儀式的這消息。
一份官方聲明中，稱這獎項是由美國甘迺迪總統的登月計畫
(Moonshot)所啟發，是一項很有野心的全球性環保獎項。
約翰甘迺迪圖書館基金會將和波士頓市長吳弭，以及波士頓市作為主辦活動的夥伴。這也將是該獎項的頒獎典禮第一次在美國舉行。
在長14秒的這段視頻結束前，紅襪隊游擊手Xander Bogaerts穿著紅襪隊球衣，站在芬衛球場(Fenway
Park)上說”我們會在波士頓這兒舉行”。
12月的頒獎典禮，之前還是劍橋公爵的威廉王子和他太太Catherine會不會出席，目前還不確定，JFK圖書館基金會也說，白金漢宮還沒宣佈。
凱薩琳甘迺迪大使在一份聲明中表示，今時今日，沒有甚麼比修理星期更重的的「登月計畫」，而且也沒有比波士頓更好的地方來重振「登月計畫」精神。在波士頓頒發「地球儀獎」是對約翰甘迺迪致最高敬意。
在波士頓頒發「地球儀獎」的這消息，也正好是1969年7月20日人類登陸月球第53週年的正日。
在5個類別中獲選入決賽的15人，會是那5個人得獎，將在波士頓宣佈。今年是這一獎項舉辦的第二年，該獎去年在倫敦舉行，受矚目程度有如頒發奧斯卡獎。
根據紐約時報，去年贏得獎項的有推動全市糧食恢復政策的義大利米蘭，以及實施全國性的付款給人重塑森林，來翻轉森林消失狀況的哥斯大黎加
(Costa Rica)。
亞裔企業培訓及輔導計畫簡報賽訂8/23 在中華廣教學校舉行
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最受觀眾歡迎獎500元。
比賽將於8月23日的晚上6到9點在中華廣教學校校址 (87 Tyler St., Boston) 舉行。比賽結束後，所有參賽者都可獲得和評審晤談15分鐘的機會。
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代表麻州的聯邦參議員Edward
Markey表示，他為能夠支持華美福利會的「亞裔企業培訓及輔導計畫」擴大辦理，感到驕傲。支持亞太裔經營的小企業，對終止亞太裔社區中的貧困，彌平族裔財富差距，在麻州打造多元蓬勃經濟，十分重要。他恭喜並祝福主辦及協辦機構。
Asian Business Pitch Contest
Boston’s first in-person Asian business pitch contest
The Asian Business Training & Mentorship Program is holding Boston’s first in-person Asian business pitch contest in partnership with Chinatown Main Street, Chinatown Business Association, Kwong Kow Chinese School, and the City of Boston’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. An expert panel of jurors will award prize money to the winners on existing business and new venture tracks. All contestants can have a 15-minute free consultative meeting with the jurors at the end of the contest.
When: August 23, 2022, 6:00-9:00pm
Where: Kwong Kow Chinese School
87 Tyler Street, 2nd
fl.
What: 10 existing business, 5 new
venture contestants
1st place-$5,000, 2nd place-$2,500, 3rd place-$1,000
on existing track
$2,500 for winner on new
venture track
$500 to audience favorite
“I’m proud
to support the remarkable efforts of the Asian American Civic Association as
they expand the Asian Business Training & Mentorship Program. Supporting
AAPI-run small businesses is critical to ending poverty in AAPI communities,
closing the racial wealth gap, and building a diverse, thriving economy in our
Commonwealth. I congratulate the AACA, the City of Boston, and Kwong Kow
Chinese School for putting on the Asian Business Pitch Contest, and I wish all
participants the best of luck.” Senator Edward Markey
The City of Boston’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion is dedicated to making Boston a global model of economic equity for working people, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors by implementing sustainable practices that repair economic harm and help build generational wealth, fostering local talent and innovative ideas, creating thriving and healthy neighborhoods, establishing equitable procurement strategies, and strengthening the partnership between the City and local organizations.
“The City of Boston is proud to partner with trusted community organizations to create pathways into business ownership that have the potential to build generational wealth. Whether launching an innovative new product or building a neighborhood small business, we are excited that this partnership will connect AAPI entrepreneurs in Boston with local support systems and resources to start and grow their business in our City.” Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
The Asian American Civic Association (AACA) provides education, occupational training, and social services to limited English speaking and economically disadvantaged people enabling them to achieve lasting economic self-sufficiency. AACA has served and advocated for their needs since 1967. Today AACA services clients from over 125 countries.
Chinatown Main Street (CMS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to making Boston's Chinatown district a thriving, culturally vibrant, and successful commercial center for businesses and institutions. We strive to improve the quality of life for residents in the district and nearby communities.
For over 105 years, Kwong Kow Chinese School (KCS) has been supporting Chinatown families by providing out-of-school time quality childcare and cultural education. Founded by the On Leong Tong Merchants Association who wanted to preserve Chinese Language and cultural heritage to overseas Chinese living in Chinatown and in nearby neighborhoods. Although Chinatown has evolved through the years, KKCS's mission has not changed and it has expanded its program to include homework assistance, scholastic test preparation, coding, and activity-based enrichment programs.
Chinatown Business Association is a nonprofit (501c3) organization
working to strengthen, promote and advocate the community businesses. To make
the community the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive.