Metro

June 23, 2023 0

Fears Deepened as Smoke Enveloped US from Canadian Wildfires: How to Protect Ourselves

It was a dark day in New England on May 19, 1780. Sunrise in Vermont was obscured by a thick fog, and the darkness spread to Massachusetts by the late morning. The sunlight disappeared entirely. The sky over the former colonies was soon the color of midnight. Many New Englanders believed the world was ending. Was God punishing the inhabitants of the cradle of the Revolution for their violent disobedience? Was some more general biblical prophecy being fulfilled? The answer […]

June 9, 2023 0

Cambridge Expands Direct-Payment Program for Low-Income Residents

by Jeff Millman

In 2021, the city of Cambridge spent $1.5 million on a guaranteed-income program for low-income residents. 130 eligible households received $500 a month for 18 months, with no requirements for what the money could be spent on. In May 2023, Cambridge announced the program would be expanded. Using $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the city is starting the Rise Up Cambridge program, which will allow hundreds more eligible, low-income households to receive direct cash payments. This […]

May 12, 2023 0

Mass. Mayors Sign Historic Compact Committing to Diversity in Real Estate

by Alec Loftus

Mayors from Cambridge, Lynn, Salem and Somerville joined with leaders from the City of Boston and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll on Monday, May 8 to sign the CommonWealth Development Compact, committing to historic 25 percent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) evaluation criteria in public real estate development projects within their municipalities, as well as groundbreaking DEI considerations in private real estate projects. Minority-and women-owned businesses have been severely underrepresented in real estate development, comprising less than one percent of developers […]

April 22, 2023 0

Virtual Public Meeting Scheduled Regarding Cannabis Dispensary Proposal in Chinatown

by Christopher John Stephens

When it comes to arguments about safety and community safety and the ethics of legalized drugs, sometimes it’s hard to immediately dismiss the financial advantages. Massachusetts legalized adult-use cannabis in November 2018, and since then the state has collected $3.9 billion in total gross sales. Between January 1 and December 18, 2022, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reported the sale of 1.42 billion dollars’ worth of cannabis and cannabis-related accessories. If we compare this to the other two members in […]

April 8, 2023 0

Preparing for Nationals: Interview with Massachusetts Spelling Bee Champ Tanoshi Inomata and Coach Aaron Noll

by Christopher John Stephens

The 85th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee will be held on May 28, 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland. Ten year old Tanoshi Inomata, from Allston’s Winship School, will be among the 278 spellers competitors. Tanoshi has the opportunity to be only the second Massachusetts resident in 80 years to bring home the trophy. Sampan had the pleasure of speaking separately with Tanoshi and Aaron Noll, Winship’s librarian and Spelling Bee coordinator. What follows are edited transcripts of our email conversations. […]

March 25, 2023 0

Heat Pumps vs Traditional Heating Systems: Is New England Ready to Discuss?

by Chetanprett Singh

New England is known for its cold and snowy winters and residents need a reliable heating source to keep their homes warm and comfortable. While traditional heating systems like gas boilers and furnaces are common in the region, an increasing number of homeowners are turning to heat pumps as an energy-efficient and cost-effective heating solution. The efficiency of a heat pump is measured by its coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of the heat output to the amount […]

February 25, 2023 0

Massachusetts Makes GED and HiSET Free for All

by Sonia Cavazos

“It felt impossible! I had quit school and I really want to get my life back on track. I took HiSET prep classes with one of those online schools that advertise on the Orange line. It seemed easy, and cheap, but the charges for classes and taking the test were ridiculous. I wasn’t able to finish because I didn’t have the time or money. Not having my high school diploma has held me back from a lot for the past […]

February 25, 2023 0

The Interpreters Who Pushed for Higher Pay – and Won

by Clare Ong

When her daily pay rate finally increased after 17 years, Gema Schaff bought a new pair of shoes. The 75-year-old Spanish language court interpreter originally from Havana was able to upgrade her wardrobe with new flats for work. It was part of her goal to replace “some really worn out” warm weather shoes. “The [other shoes] look really old, and the first thing I thought was: I can get new shoes,’’ Schaff, who currently lives in Cambridge, said. The new shoes […]

February 12, 2023 0

Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association Leader Reflects: How COVID Changed Us

by Bolin Shen

February 1, 2023 marks three years since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Massachusetts. In the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on businesses in Massachusetts, with many forced to temporarily or permanently close their doors or significantly reduce operations due to government-mandated lockdowns and restrictions. Businesses in Massachusetts, struggled to stay afloat in the face of lockdowns and saw severe supply chain disruptions. While the risk of COVID-19 has lessened as vaccines and boosters […]

February 11, 2023 0

Groups Gather to Mourn the Recent Acts of Violence in California Asian Communities

by Sampan Staff

On Jan. 21, 11 people were killed and nine wounded in a massacre during Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park, California. The mass shooting is now the worst in Los Angeles County’s history. Two days later, four people were killed and one other was seriously wounded in a shooting at the Mountain Mushroom Farm in Half Moon Bay. The gunman in that shooting then drove to a different farm that was nearby and killed another three people. Multiple Asian […]

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