November 22, 2024 | Vol. 53, Issue 22

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Metro

white thermostat hanging on the wall

Sticker Shock for Eversource and Nationalgrid Customers

The two major utilities in our area that deliver heating to our homes are Eversource and Nationalgrid. They purchase energy from different suppliers. Homes in New England are primarily heated by natural gas or by electricity that is generated by natural gas. Both companies have announced major increases in home heating costs this winter as demand skyrockets in cold weather. Prices are going up on both the delivery and the supply side. Eversource has requested the state Public Utilities Regulatory […]

Sifu Mai Du Offers Free Self Defense Classes to Take the Weight of Fear off the Community’s Shoulders

On the early morning of November 12th, a 64-year-old Asian woman was kidnapped outside of Wollaston station while she was headed to work. She was bound and shoved into the back of a car. After being repeatedly raped and assaulted, she was left in the parking lot of a Brockton mall later that evening. She was able to attract the attention of a passerby who contacted the police. After the initial reports and capture of the assailant, 26-year-old Christian Lynch, […]

Boston Accent is disappearing -“You’re breakin’ my haht!!”

Along with Boston’s history, sports, education, and baked beans, the “Bawston” accent has long been a unique and fun distinction for Boston. For example, a survey run by the travel company, Big 7, showed that the Boston accent was ranked as the second sexiest in the country. Americans around the country became familiar with the Boston accent through Hollywood movies and from listening to famous Boston figures like President John F Kennedy. The accent is distinguished by dropping the r’s, […]

Heating Costs Hit the Highest Level in More than a Decade

As winter approaches, those who rely on oil to heat their homes may find themselves bracing for rising energy costs. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates that the cost of home heating will rise by 17.8% from $1,025 to $1,208 this winter; the highest level in more than a decade. Inflation is one of the reasons for the rising prices. Russia’s war in Ukraine has played a pivotal role in the dramatic rise in energy prices. To punish Moscow […]

Community Groups call for the State to honor its Commitment to Chinatown

Chinatown and Leather District residents, volleyball players, skate boarders and park enthusiasts gathered in October at the Reggie Wong Memorial Park in Boston’s Chinatown to celebrate what they hope will be a turning point in a long struggle to protect and gain community control of this urban playground and encourage the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to make good on its commitment to lease it to the community for $1 a year.   At the event, Lydia Lowe, Chinatown Community Land Trust director, announced that […]

Voters Have a Choice: A Guide to the Ballot Questions for Election Day November 8, 2022

Editor’s Note: History has proven that the success of Election Day ballot questions depends on details and explanations. If the specifics of each question are too convoluted, voters will be understandably frustrated that there are no clear explanations. To clearly inform readers so that they can make sound judgments on Election Day, Sampan is providing this handy guide to the four ballot questions: 1) a constitutional amendment adding an additional 4% state tax on income over $1 million; 2) a […]

A Guide to Select Races in the 2022 Midterm Elections

Many political commentators have said that this year’s midterm elections could break the political norms. All 435 House seats are on the ballot this November, as well as 35 U.S. Senate seats and 36 governorships. The Republicans need a net gain of 5 seats to win the House and also win 1 more seat to control the Senate. Other races including the elections of secretaries of state, attorneys general and control of state legislatures may also affect the 2024 presidential […]

Protecting Women, Combatting Misinformation

During this time of division, Massachusetts has chosen to serve as a state which will support women’s rights to abortion, alongside New York, California, Washington, and others. However, not everyone in the state has the same opinion. Misinformation is being spread about abortion to try and prevent people from going ahead with these procedures. For Massachusetts to become a haven for women, it is vitally important for the state to grant straightforward protection for people in need of abortions and […]

Harvard Square Celebrates Its First Filipino American Festival

In celebration of Filipino American History Month, the Harvard Square Philippine Alliance (HSPA), collaborating with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, held the first Filipino American Festival on October 9, 2022 at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, coinciding with the 43rd Annual Oktoberfest and Honk Parade. Consul Ricarte Abejuela III headed Consulate delegation, which joined the HSPAA organizers in the nearly two hour long Honk parade starting from Davis Square to Harvard Square. Spectators were entertained by Filipino-American contingents from […]

Eugene Welch Retiring: The End of an Era for South Cove Community Health Center

After 23 years of service at South Cove Community Health Center (SCCHC), the current CEO, Eugene Welch, will be stepping down from his position at the end of 2022.  Started by a group of community activists in 1972 in response to the inadequate health care services for the local residents in Boston Chinatown, SCCHC now operates in five locations in the greater Boston area and serves more than 32,000 patients annually. SCCHC aims to improve the health and wellbeing of […]

404 Not Found

404 Not Found


nginx/1.18.0 (Ubuntu)