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January 3, 2025 | Vol. 54, Issue 1

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Boston

Unprecedented T Shutdowns: Finding Alternative Public Transport

Since August 19th, the T’s Orange Line has faced the beginning of its unprecedented month-long shutdown in service. This disruption has since been followed by the closure of Green Line stops north of Government Center, with neither shutdown being lifted until September 18th. Even with the Orange Line opening up on September 18th, there seems to be little reprieve from T shutdowns. The Green Line has been undergoing the Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) renovation this summer, with tracks […]

A preview of Chinatown’s Films at the Gate Festival

The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) is bringing the community together in Chinatown on Friday, August 26th through August 28th with the riveting Films at the Gate Festival.  This reporter spoke recently with ACDC’s Director of Development and Communications Christine Nguyen about the festival’s origins and what people can expect this year. CHRISTINE NGUYEN: This year is the 16th iteration of the festival; we took a break in 2020. I wasn’t involved at the very beginning, but it was a […]

close up photo of a rat trapped inside the cage

Boston’s response to the rat crisis has been Inadequate

Boston is currently battling against a swelling number of rats residing in the city. Due to the closure of multiple restaurants and businesses as a result of the pandemic, rats are migrating into residential areas of the city in search of new food sources. According to the data collected from Boston’s 311 app, which is used to report rat sightings, rat and rodent-related complaints increased by 48% from 2019 to 2021. Rats pose a public health issue as the Norwegian rat, the most common species in Boston, can spread diseases such […]

Complaints about the T: Sampan readers speak Out

We hit the streets this week to ask readers how they are coping (and will continue to cope) with the ongoing Green Line problems and the unprecedented month long shut down of the Orange Line starting August 19. Mayor Wu has pledged to make all the Boston blue bikes free for the duration of the shutdown. Extra shuttle buses will clog the streets to assist Orange Line riders coming in and out of the city, and the lucky few who […]

CCBA Presents the 52nd Annual Chinatown August Moon Festival

Photos from the 52nd Annual August Moon Festival, August 14, 2022 at Phillips Square in Chinatown, sponsored by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England. Boston officials, including Mayor Michelle Wu and Police Superintendent James K. Chin, along with the New England Kung Fu Dance Association and the Boston Chinese Folk dance group, welcomed the coming fall season with a festival of joy and health. From all of us here at Sampan to all of you in Boston and beyond, best […]

The Games go on: 77 Years of Chinese American Volleyball

Sampan talks with Dr. Bobby Guen of the North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament ahead of Sept. 3-5 event. Nearly a century ago, the Immigration Act of 1924 had basically shut down immigration from Asia to the United States. No Asians were eligible for citizenship and those who were in the U.S. could neither enter nor leave the country. By the late 1930s, the only thing a typical Chinese laborer — mostly in laundry or restaurants — in Chinatown could […]

Chinatown Row house

Preserving Chinatown, One Row House at A Time

To afford the average purchase price of a Boston home, a household would need to earn at least $181,000 a year, according to a recent Boston Globe story. In Chinatown, property values have skyrocketed since the luxury development boom and remain high despite the current recession. What has that meant for Chinatown’s immigrant, working class residents? The signs of gentrification now visible throughout the city took root early in this community. American Community Survey data for 2017 revealed that the […]

person wearing foo dog costume

The August Moon Festival 2022: What’s Happening, Where, and When

The Chinese August Moon festival is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. It is believed that the roundness of the moon represents the reunion of family in Chinese minds. For over 2000 years the usually three day celebration has been a time for a post-Autumn harvest celebration giving thanks to the gods for the blessings of hard work and family. Foods served include mooncakes, pumpkin, river snails, taro, wine fermented with […]

Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival: Behind the Scenes

Nestled in the history of ancient China lies the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival. Filled with food, wonderful cultural traditions, and inspiring, team-oriented races, today’s Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races and Festival offer more than entertainment. It connects people and draws them into a different culture.  Strong leaders and advocates have worked to bring not only representation, but appreciation of Asian culture in America.  Volunteer led and volunteer based, the leaders of  Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival […]

American Legion Boston Chinatown Post 328: Continuing to honor Chinese-American Veterans

“Post 328 is a living memorial to all the veterans, both Asian American and not, who have come from the Boston community and served America with honor and distinction.”      -Post Commander Matthew Seto. Boston Chinatown’s Post 328 has advocated on behalf of veterans, service members, and the local community for more than 75 years. Founded after World War II, Post 328 originally helped negotiate benefits for veterans and their families, helping many take advantage of the GI Bill of Rights, […]

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