慶祝麻州250週年系列 - 邦克丘戰役 （Bunker Hill) (視頻）

 

波士頓港城市遊輪推出現場表演系列。首場6/22邀Elan Trotman演出

             (Boston Orange摘譯) 屢獲殊榮的爵士薩克斯風演奏家Elan Trotman將於2025年6月22日在波士頓港城市遊輪（Boston Harbor City Cruises）上現場表演，為「城市郵輪現場系列（City Cruises Live Series）」拉開序幕。

這是「波士頓港城市遊輪」公司新推出的全國性系列活動，邀得Elan Trotman做首位音樂嘉賓，將給乘客機會在欣賞美麗的城市天際線景觀之際，近距離享受名家的現場音樂表演。

Elan Trotman來自巴貝多，畢業於伯克利音樂學院，以其獨特的加勒比節奏融合爵士樂而聞名，曾多次榮獲“年度爵士藝術家”獎。

Elan Trotman還是巴貝多爵士之旅的執行製片人兼主持人，這是一個備受歡迎的爵士樂和高爾夫週末度假勝地。他還創立了“永不失去動力基金會”，該基金會資助“啟蒙音樂計劃”，為兒童提供免費的樂器教學。 2021年，他成為伯克利音樂學院的副教授。

Elan Trotman令人印象深刻的職業生涯包括與眾多世界級音樂家的合作、為主要體育活動演奏國歌，以及出演《底特律》和惠特尼休斯頓傳記片《我想和某人跳舞》等電影。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND MAYOR’S OFFICE OF LGBTQ+ ADVANCEMENT ANNOUNCE NEW LEGAL SERVICES GRANTS AND RESOURCES TO BETTER SUPPORT LGBTQ+ RESIDENTS

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND MAYOR’S OFFICE OF LGBTQ+ ADVANCEMENT ANNOUNCE NEW LEGAL SERVICES GRANTS AND RESOURCES TO BETTER SUPPORT LGBTQ+ RESIDENTS

BOSTON - Friday, June 13, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA) ahead of tomorrow’s Pride Parade announced a series of new initiatives to support LGBTQ+ residents across Boston. To expand access to free legal services for residents, MOLA is awarding $125,000 in grants through their inaugural Family & Individual Legal Support Grant. Additionally, MOLA has launched a 90+ member LGBTQ+ Partner Network, a public-facing resource directory, and a new discrimination guidebook co-created with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and Northeastern University. This announcement during LGBTQ+ Pride Month builds on Mayor Wu’s work to make Boston a home for everyone.  “Boston is proud to support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ residents across every neighborhood. As we work to make Boston a home for everyone, we are focused on uplifting our LGBTQ+ community organizations and better connecting all of our residents to City services,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These investments will create space for joy and inclusivity for residents while putting resources directly into the hands of trusted community organizations. Wishing everyone a Pride full of freedom and love.” “The City of Boston remains committed to our vision of being a home for everyone, and we recognize that families in Boston are very diverse,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion. “By investing in legal support, community partnerships, and access to information, we’re ensuring that LGBTQIA2S+ residents are tangibly supported across every part of city life.” "In the face of hostility from the Federal Government, now is the time to rally around our LGBTQ+ community in Boston. I'm grateful for Mayor Wu and MOLA's tireless work to ensure that every Bostonian, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, has the support and resources they need to feel at home in our City,” said City Councilor Liz Breadon, District 9. “Our community is our biggest strength, and the LGBTQ+ Partner Network MOLA is launching will build upon that grassroots strength to provide a safety net for those seeking support or a community to call their own." “I’m proud to stand with Mayor Wu and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement as we kick off Pride Month with bold, tangible investments in our LGBTQ+ communities. These new legal service grants and community-driven resources reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to equity, safety, and belonging,” said City Councilor Henry Santana, At-Large. “By expanding access to justice and connecting residents with trusted support networks, we are making it clear: LGBTQ+ Bostonians deserve to thrive in every neighborhood. This is what inclusive governance looks like, rooted in care, led by community, and committed to lasting change.” “As we enter Pride Month, and as a gay man, this year feels very different. Yet in the face of attacks on the LGBTQ+ community coming from Washington, it is heartening to note that we live in a city and state that values diversity and human rights,” said State Representative John Moran.  “I’m proud to be out and visible in a city like Boston. The work the Mayor and her team do to ensure Boston is a city for everyone who wants to be here is Herculean. While we can always be better and do more, I can’t think of a better city under a better mayor to dig in and lead during times like these,” said State Representative Sam Montaño.  MOLA is awarding two Family & Individual Legal Support Grants to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS). GLAD and GBLS aid residents in navigating legal systems by providing services like legal name and gender marker changes, relationship protections, domestic violence legal support, and educational workshops, making processes more accessible to promote the wellbeing of all residents. The funding of these grants was made possible through the City’s annual operating budget. “GLAD Law Answers is here to help LGBTQ+ people understand their rights and what they can do when they face discrimination. Since November we’ve seen an increase of 47% in calls as people worry about protecting their families, getting the healthcare they need, and the ability to go to school, work at their jobs, and do everyday things like drive and shop for groceries without harassment. Our ID Project provides no-cost legal support to help transgender folks get accurate state identification, which is more important than ever as the federal administration tries to block access to accurate federal IDs,” said Gabrielle Navarro, Senior Manager of Public Information, GLAD Law. “We’re grateful for this generous support from the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement which recognizes the critical need LGBTQ+ people and families have for legal information and support at this moment. This grant will help us continue to meet the moment and the needs of our community with clear and compassionate information and support.”  “GBLS is grateful for the Mayor's support and excited for this opportunity to stand with our LGBTQIAS2+ partners and community members,” said Laura Gal, Managing Attorney of Greater Boston Legal Services’ Family Law Unit. “This funding will enable GBLS to expand outreach during a critical period of time nationally. GBLS wants to make sure we are accessible to our low-income LGBTQIAS2+ community members and responsive to their current family law needs.” To ensure improved coordination amongst LGBTQ+ organizations, MOLA launched their Partner Network, a city-supported coalition of over 90 LGBTQ+ affirming organizations working together to advance shared goals and foster inclusion.  Through monthly meetings, the network has brought various organizations together, expanding the diverse communities they are able to reach and creating new programs and events to reach community members.  “This network builds collective power and coordination among the people and organizations who know our communities best,” said Jullieanne Lee, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement. “It’s a vital space for collaboration, resource-sharing, and joy.” "The MOLA Partner Network helped bring The History Project and Ethos together — we first connected at one of their meetings. It was a natural fit: combining elder care and LGBTQ+ oral history to create an intergenerational space for storytelling. The result was Brewing Connections, a living oral history in motion that focuses on the material needs, lived realities, and collective experiences of LGBTQ+ communities. That’s why programming like this matters: it brings people together across generations and identities, in real space, to honor what makes us different and stronger together,” said Matisse DuPont, Director of Engagement and Advancement, The History Project.  "Collaborating with the History Project has allowed Ethos to present our LGBTQ+ elders with a new 'Brewing Connections' event in a shared, safe space,” said Mackenzie Valencia, LGBTQ+ Program Manager, Ethos. “This partnership and event allowed our LGBTQ+ elders to create relationships across generations while sharing their lived experiences with younger individuals of the community, an opportunity that would not have been possible without MOLA's assistance and the Partner Network.” Building on the launch of the Partner Network, MOLA has also launched two new resources for residents – an online LGBTQ+ Resource Directory and a Discrimination Guidebook. The resource directory will better connect residents to housing, legal services, mental health care, education resources, and local events. Residents will be able to search for resources by neighborhood, cost, eligibility, and service type. Additionally, MOLA collaborated with Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and Northeastern University to create a newDiscrimination Guidebook. The guide helps residents determine which agency to contact, understand eligibility criteria, and file complaints, making Boston a more inclusive city for residents and families.  “The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) was pleased to partner with the Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement (MOLA) and Northeastern University’s Capstone program to create this essential guidebook,” said Michael Memmolo, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Executive Director. “Aimed at informing Massachusetts residents and visitors about their civil rights, and the agencies that protect those rights, this resource is intended to make an often-daunting process more accessible.”   "We are incredibly proud of our NU Policy School Capstone graduates for their civic research work that supported the development of this Guidebook,” said Dr. Kellee Tsai, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Northeastern University. “We are also thankful to be able to participate in this amazing partnership with MOLA and MCAD to create this Guidebook that will undoubtedly support many residents in the Commonwealth. This is the kind of meaningful work that good university-government partnerships like ours can—and do—produce.” As we kick off Pride Month, in celebration of resilience and diversity, Boston City Hall is currently showcasing a variety of art and creations throughout the month.  Currently on display is “Ways of Making People Disappear,” a solo exhibition that explores the lack of safety of queer and trans folks in America, now until July 18, 2025 at Boston City Hall. “For the past few years, I have been making portraits of LGBTQ folks simply living,” said Michelle Shapiro, Boston Photographer. “I document participants sitting on their front steps, riding their bicycles, commuting to their jobs. I photograph friends and neighbors, living their lives and their truths. These images hold power on their own, but I then make another frame with the subject gone from the image, speaking to the literal and figurative erasure of queer lives. The empty space where a human being once stood is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake if queer and trans lives are erased.”  For more information and to RSVP, please visit boston.gov/cityhallgalleries.

麻州2025免稅日訂在8月9、10兩日

(Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州議會日前通過決議案，2025年銷售稅假日定在8月9日（週六）和8月10日（週日）。在這兩天內，大多數售價低於2,500美元的零售商品，將暫停徵收州6.25%的銷售稅。

麻州從2018年起開始，把銷售稅假期訂為永久性政策，但每年仍需立法機關批准具體的免稅日期。議員強調，放稅假旨在為紓緩居民的財政困難並刺激當地經濟，此舉也有助於消費者因應物價的上漲，同時提振小型企業。

麻州議會指稱，這項措施已證明具有經濟效益；僅2024年的銷售稅假期就因經濟活動增加而產生了354萬美元的間接稅收。官員鼓勵居民把握機會辦理返校購物和其他採購，同時支持全州的商家。

Massachusetts Retailers Set for Sales Tax-Free Weekend on August 9, 10

Legislature Adopts Resolution Designating 2025 Sales Tax Holiday

(BOSTON—6/12/2025) Saturday, August 9, 2025, and Sunday, August 10, 2025, are the official dates of Massachusetts’ annual sales tax holiday thanks to actions taken by the Massachusetts Legislature today. During the holiday, the state’s 6.25 per cent sales tax is suspended for most retail items priced under $2,500.

 

A 2018 state law, which made the sales tax holiday permanent, requires the Legislature to vote to set the dates of the holiday each year. Both branches adopted resolutions setting this year’s dates (S.2530 / H.4220), sponsored by Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield) and Representative Carole A. Fiola (D-Fall River).

 

“Lowering costs for Massachusetts residents and supporting local businesses is critical for our communities in this time of economic uncertainty,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’d like to thank Senator Gómez, my colleagues in the Senate and our partners in the House for their work to set this year’s sales tax holiday.”

 

“This year’s temporary suspension of the sales tax will bring consumers needed economic relief while boosting revenue for small businesses and retailers,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chair Fiola and my colleagues in the House, along with our partners in the Senate, for their annual support for this economic development initiative.”

 

“The sales tax holiday is a wonderful opportunity for our residents to get out into their communities, support local businesses, get their kids ready for school in fall or make a purchase that they’ve been putting off,” said Senator Gómez, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. “I am glad that our leaders here in the Legislature have been able to work and get this done again for our residents this year, and I look forward to hearing how residents are able to make the most of the tax reprieve.”

 

“I was proud to sponsor the legislation establishing this year’s sales tax holiday that helps boost our economy and provides support and relief for our residents and small businesses,” said Representative Fiola, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “This is an important weekend that helps bolster our economy and I applaud my colleagues in passing this legislation to provide individuals, families and businesses across the Commonwealth with some relief.”

 

A spike in consumer activity routinely boosts indirect tax revenues. According to the Department of Revenue, the 2024 sales tax holiday generated $3.54 million in indirect tax revenues due to increased economic activity.

 

At a time when consumers are seeing prices on store shelves spike, driven in part by federally imposed tariffs, this year’s Massachusetts sales tax holiday will give shoppers a much-needed break. The holiday also encourages families looking to shop for back-to-school season to support local small businesses and retailers.

 

Information about eligible purchases is available on the Department of Revenue website.

麻州府撥3000萬美元抵稅優惠給33家公司 估計可創造1591個生命科學工作機會

麻州州長Maura Healey宣佈給生命科學業3000萬美元抵稅優惠。
（麻州政府提供）

(Boston Orange摘譯) 麻州政府和麻州生命科學中心（MLSC）週四宣佈，將撥發約2,990萬美元稅務優惠給33家生命科學公司，估計可為麻州帶來1,519個新職位。

MLSC的稅務優惠計畫旨在強化麻州在生命科學研發、商業化及製造領域的全球領先地位。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（12）日在劍橋市Lila Sciences公司宣佈這消息，強調投資對推動創新及人才的重要性。

奚莉州長表示，「世界看好麻州的生命科學未來，因為這裡創新研究、卓越人才與公私合作夥伴關係匯聚，推動顯著進展。透過MLSC稅務優惠計畫，我們正創造新職位，確保下一代科學突破誕生於此」。

麻州副州長Kim Driscoll也指出，這些獲獎助公司對經濟及全球健康都有貢獻。

MLSC還公佈，將啟動新一輪稅務優惠計畫，競爭性分配「麻州領先法案」法定上限4,000萬美元中，剩餘的1,010萬美元。申請期為2025年6月12日至7月16日下午5點，旨在支持2025年創造的淨新增職位。

麻州經濟發展廳代理廳長Ashley Stolba強調，該計畫對於吸引與留住頂尖人才至關重要。

值得注意的是，本次33家獲獎公司中，有18家將擴展至波士頓及劍橋以外地區，佔新職位承諾的48%，顯示州政府致力於全州均衡發展。

MLSC稅務優惠計畫自成立以來，已促成逾19,800個職位，鞏固麻州作為生命科學產業發展沃土的聲譽。獲獎助公司涵蓋藥物研發、醫療設備、診斷及製造等多元領域。

Lila Sciences共同創辦人兼執行長Geoffrey von Maltzahn表示，MLSC的支持推動了公司以AI優先方式轉型研發。專長於胸腺免疫療法的Thymmune Therapeutics創辦人兼執行長Ｓtan Wang則感謝州長與MLSC對就業與創新的投資。

該計畫由MLSC與麻州稅務局共同管理，確保嚴格監督。獲獎者需在三年內履行職位承諾，並定期提交報告。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Tax Incentives to Create More Than 1,500 Life Sciences Jobs  

Massachusetts Life Science Center awards nearly $30 million to 33 life sciences companies
 

CAMBRIDGE - Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced $29.9 million in tax incentive awards to 33 life sciences companies. The awards, provided through the MLSC’s Tax Incentive Program, are expected to create 1,519 new life sciences industry jobs in Massachusetts. Governor Maura Healey joined MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD, and state and local officials to announce the awards at Lila Sciences in Cambridge.  

The Governor also announced a new competitive round of the tax incentive program. To fully maximize the new $40 million statutory cap in the Mass Leads Act, this round seeks to competitively award the remaining $10.1 million available for this year. 

“The world looks to Massachusetts for the future of life sciences because we have built an ecosystem where innovative research, exceptional talent and public-private partnerships come together to drive significant progress,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With impactful investments like MLSC’s Tax Incentive Program, we are creating new jobs and ensuring that the next generation of scientific breakthroughs are being developed right here in our state.”   

“This year’s tax incentive awardees are advancing scientific innovation, strengthening our economy and improving lives across the globe with groundbreaking work,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.“Their successes area shining example of why Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in life sciences.”    

The MLSC Tax Incentive Program is offered to companies engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization and manufacturing in Massachusetts, and provides incentives to companies of all sizes looking to expand their efforts by creating new, long-term jobs in the state.  

“It is more important than ever for Massachusetts to support the life sciences ecosystem,” said Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba, who serves as Co-Chair of the MLSC’s Board of Directors. “In this state, we're committed to ensuring that companies looking to expand have access to our top talent, and the tax incentive program is an important tool allowing us to continue to grow our ecosystem. The Mass Leads Act sharpened this tool and elevated its competitiveness.”  

“Growing Massachusetts’ life sciences companies directly benefits our state’s workforce and economy,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz, who serves as Co-Chair of the MLSC’s Board of Directors. “This commitment keeps Massachusetts competitive and allows our communities to thrive.” 

Out of the 33 companies receiving tax incentive awards, 18 companies, accounting for 48 percent of the new jobs, are expanding in communities outside of Boston and Cambridge. Through this program, life sciences companies have committed to the creation of more than 19,800 jobs since the MLSC’s inception. 

“Supporting job creation at innovative companies of all sizes is vital to strengthening Massachusetts’ position as the nation's leader in life sciences," said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, M.D. “The commitment of this year’s awardees is an inspiring demonstration of the Commonwealth’s shared dedication to advancing groundbreaking research and improving patients’ lives across the globe.” 

“We are fortunate to be able to attract many of the brightest minds in AI and science on our mission to build scientific superintelligence,” said Geoffrey von Maltzahn, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lila Sciences and General Partner, Flagship Pioneering. “Our commitment to add at least 100 new jobs here in Massachusetts is just the start. The MLSC’s support fuels continued momentum as Lila Sciences aims to transform R&D with an AI-first approach to life, chemistry, and materials science innovation.” 

Last November, Governor Maura Healey signed the Mass Leads Act, an economic development bill building on the success of the state’s renowned life sciences sector. The legislation increased the statutory cap from $30 million to $40 million for life sciences tax incentives and made targeted reforms to strengthen the program.  

The application period for the new MLSC Tax Incentive cycle opens today June 12, 2025, and will close at 5 p.m. on July 16, 2025. Similar to the first round, the awards will be for net new jobs created during calendar year 2025. The second cycle of the MLSC Tax Incentive program will run with the same criteria as the first cycle. Exact details of the program can be found in the updated solicitation on the MLSC website.  

This year’s Tax Incentive Program award recipients represent a diverse cohort of companies working on drug discovery and development, medical devices, diagnostics, and manufacturing.  

 “The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s tax-incentive award is more than a financial boost—it’s a vote of confidence in the bold science happening here in the Commonwealth. For Thymmune, it advances our mission to regenerate the human thymus and deliver first-in-class immune-restorative therapies to patients who have no alternatives today,” said Stan Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Founder & CEO of Thymmune Therapeutics. “We’re grateful to Governor Healey, the MLSC, and the Legislature for investing not only in jobs, but in the people and ideas that keep Massachusetts at the forefront of life-science innovation.”  

The recipients include:  

Company	Expansion Location	Incentive Amount	Job Commitment
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.	Norton	$1,840,000	100
Argenx Us Inc.	Boston	$1,080,000	60
Amplitude Vascular Systems Inc.	Boston	$245,000	10
Novo Nordisk/(Dicerna)	Lexington	$900,000	50
EyePoint	Northbridge	$365,000	15
Fresenius Kabi Compounding LLC (Fagron Sterile)	Canton	$420,000	20
GlaxoSmithKline LLC (GSK)	Cambridge	$2,700,000	150
Hillstar Bio Inc.	Boston	$115,000	5
Werfen	Bedford	$1,675,000	85
Insulet Corporation	Acton	$1,524,000	83
Integra LifeSciences Corporation	Braintree	$1,997,000	89
Invagen Pharmaceuticals Inc., wholly owned subsidiary of Cipla Limited	Fall River	$1,795,000	70
Kailera Therapeutics Inc.	Waltham	$900,000	50
Lila Sciences Inc.	Cambridge	$1,850,000	100
Merida Biosciences Inc.	Cambridge	$388,000	16
NanoDx Inc.	Southborough	$168,000	6
Nova Biomedical Corporation	Waltham	$1,675,000	75
Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc.	Boston	$1,260,000	70
Parabilis Medicines Inc.	Cambridge	$272,000	14
PathAI Inc.	Boston	$180,000	10
QurAlis Corporation	Cambridge	$118,000	6
Ratio Therapeutics Inc.	Boston	$306,000	17
Remix Therapeutics Inc.	Watertown	$180,000	10
RevBio Inc.	Lowell	$150,000	5
Sharp Sterile Manufacturing LLC	Lee	$125,000	5
STC Biologics Inc.	Newton	$186,000	7
Superluminal Medicines Inc.	Boston	$437,000	19
Thymmune Therapeutics Inc.	Cambridge	$135,000	5
Topo Therapeutics Inc.	Watertown	$161,000	7
Tscan Therapeutics Inc.	Waltham	$470,000	25
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.	Boston	$5,610,000	300
Viridian Therapeutics Inc.	Waltham	$465,000	25
ZOLL Medical Corporation	Chelmsford	$210,000	10

The MLSC jointly administers the Tax Incentive Program with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, which oversees the technical administration of the incentives. Awardees are required to maintain job commitments over a three-year period. The program includes regular reporting requirements for awardees to document jobs created as a result of the incentive. The MLSC has continued to use the Tax Incentive Program to leverage diverse life sciences assets across Massachusetts and encourage growth, expansion, and retention on a statewide basis.  

FIFA 2026足球世界盃波士頓啟動「一年倒計時」

麻州州長Maura Healey（左）和Boston 26 執行長Mike Loynd誓言合作，辦好
足球世界盃在麻州的系列活動。（周菊子攝）

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 國際足球總會（FAFA）的2026 年世界盃，訂6月11日在墨西哥城阿茲特克（Estadio Azteca）體育場揭幕。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）應Boston 26 之請，這天為波士頓開始「一年倒計時 （One Year to Go）」，興奮表示，麻州「將會有200萬遊客，太棒了」。

麻州州長Maura Healey強調，FIFA 2026 世界盃將為麻州帶來200萬遊客，
10億美元經濟效益。（周菊子攝）

                  Boston 26是為波士頓市被選為FIFA 2026世界盃（FIFA World Cup 2026）16個主辦城市之一而成立的非牟利組織，負責協調比賽，安排相關慶祝活動。6月11日這天，加入各地的「一年倒計時 （One Year to Go）」行列，在波士頓大學Nickerson球場舉辦活動，為大波士頓已排定將從2026年6月13日起在Foxborough的吉列球場（Gillette Stadium）舉辦，包括5場分組賽，1場32強賽，1場8強賽等的7場比賽做準備。

麻州州長等人與麻州青年足球會球員合影。（周菊子攝）

                  麻州州長奚莉，美國足球基金會執行長Ed Foster Simeon，足球前進基金會（Soccer Forward Foundation ）執行主任Lex Chalat等人在千里達和托巴哥 （Trinida & Tobago）國家隊的前任守門員，也是ESPN足球分析元的Shaka Hislop擔任司儀中，一一致詞。

                  奚莉州長笑說，她這天特地穿了雙綠球鞋（借喻美鈔綠背）到場，因為承辦FIFV足球世界盃，意味著將會吸引200萬名國際遊客，為麻州帶來大約10億美元的經濟效益，那將「太棒了 （awesome）」。

美國足球基金會執行長Ed Foster Simeon致詞。（周菊子攝）

                  她感謝麻州青年足球會（ＭMassachusetts Youth Soccer ）和Boston 26遍踏麻州，廣邀青少年參與盛事，尤其是明年，美國就要慶祝建國250週年，和更多年輕人互動就更有意義。

                  奚莉州長還笑說，許多人知道她打籃球，但她其實還踢過足球，當過中後衛(Center Half)。

足球前進基金會（Soccer Forward Foundation ）執行主任Lex Chalat。
（周菊子攝）

                  Boston 26執行長Mike Loynd表示，他們將和美國足球基金會，以及麻州州政府合作，一起找適當場地，在麻州各社區舉辦20場迷你賽。

                  FIFA 2026足球世界盃將是首次由美國、加拿大、墨西哥三國聯合主辦的足球世界盃，將從2026年6月11日起至7月19日，在美國的11個城市，墨西哥的3個城市，以及加拿大的2個城市舉行。開幕賽在墨西哥的阿茲特克體育場，閉幕賽將在美國新澤西州的大都會人壽體育館。

                  參賽隊伍將從往年的32隊，增加到48隊，分成12個小組，每組4隊的進行分組賽，會有32隊晉級淘汰賽。因為參賽隊伍大增，整個比賽場數將從往年的64

波士頓FIFA 2026世界盃波士頓一年倒計時活動現場。（周菊子攝）

場，增至104場，整個比賽也將延長至39天才能賽完。

                  目前除了美加墨這3個主辦國自動進級進淘汰賽之外，已有日本、紐西蘭、伊朗、阿根廷、烏茲別克、南韓、約旦、澳洲、巴西、厄瓜多等國家通過資格賽，鎖定了晉級名額。最後都有哪些國家擠進決賽，還要等今年12月才知道。

                  查詢FIFA相關活動，可上網，https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026，查詢FIFA在波士頓的相關活動，可上Boston 26網站，https://bostonfwc26.com/。

波士頓FIFA 2026世界盃波士頓一年倒計時活動現場。（周菊子攝）

麻州長Maura Healey和青少年足球員合影。（周菊子攝）

波士頓古樂節首邀台灣參演 清華木笛團6/15 喬丹廳見

        （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）清華大學音樂系木笛團應邀參加波士頓古樂節，繼6月11日在波士頓大學舉辦一場「台灣之聲」音樂會之後，將於6月13、15兩日依序在舊南教堂和新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳演出。

木笛（recorder），又稱直笛或豎笛，是源自歐洲，盛行於十六至十八世紀的一種木管吹奏樂器，也是巴洛克時代標準獨奏樂器，和中國的簫，笛都很不一樣。

曾就學於波士頓大學，浪琴(Longy)音樂學校，新英格蘭音樂學院，並取得博士學位，目前在清華大學音樂系擔任副教授的陳孟亨，創辦了清華大學木笛團，並於去年8月和新竹縣政府合作，舉辦了首屆「台灣國際直笛音樂節」。

以鼓吹欣賞中世紀及巴洛克時代早期音樂為宗旨，1980年創辦，兩年舉辦一次的「波士頓古樂節（The Boston Early Music Festival，簡稱BEMF)」因此注意到台灣的木笛音樂發展，特地邀請陳孟亨的清華大學木笛團，到波士頓參加從6月8日到15日舉行的2025年波士頓古樂節。

在清華大學和春之文化基金會等機構贊助下，陳孟亨率領由16位主修木笛的碩士與學士組成的清華大學音樂系木笛團，以及新竹縣關西國中直笛藝才班學生，新竹直笛合奏團指導老師，共28人，來波士頓做3場演出。

6月11日，清華大學音樂系木笛團在波士頓大學的馬什（Marsh ）教堂舉辦「聲音之旅：台灣木笛之聲（Sonic Journeys: Taiwan's Recorder Sounds）」專場音樂會。陳孟亨還在木笛團伴奏中，和她當年在波士頓大學的老師Aldo Abreu合奏了一曲安東尼奧·維瓦爾第（Antonio Vivaldi）的格羅索（Grosso）協奏曲中第3個作品集的第8首樂曲。

清華大學音樂系木笛團此行，還有另外2場表演。

6月13日的早上10點到下午2點，在舊南教堂（Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Boston），參加「美國木笛協會接力音樂會（ARS Relay Concert）」，演出30分鐘。

           6月15日 的早上10點至11點半，在新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳參加「波士頓古樂節超越邊界音樂會（BEMF Beyond Borders Concert）」，和來自其他國家的青少年音樂家一起演出，以展現音樂文化的交流與融合。清華大學音樂系木笛團在這場音樂會中將有20分鐘的獨立表演。

          陳孟亨表示，木笛音樂一度沉寂，1900年代才又受人喜愛，德國甚至把木笛列入中小學課程，之後日本也流行起來，台灣則是最近這廿、三十年，不但把木笛納入中小學音樂課，還衍進到頒授木笛碩士學位，讓台灣的木笛音樂受世界重視。清華大學音樂系木笛團自成立以來，也已在國際舞台上展現卓越才華，屢獲大獎。這次應邀來波士頓表演，是又一次的向世界展示，台灣在木笛音樂發展上的成就。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Civics Project Showcases Across Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Civics Project Showcases Across Massachusetts 865 students from 61 districts participated at events in Dartmouth, Springfield, Worcester, Boston      BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration hosted four Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases in collaboration with Generation Citizen between May 27 and June 6 in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Dartmouth. At these regional “science fairs for civics,” students from 61 districts shared real-world action they are taking on community issues such as teen mental health, road safety, housing and homelessness, and educational equity. These events provide students with the opportunity to share their civics projects with local community advisors and each other, receive feedback on their work, and be recognized for their civic engagement. “Civics Project Showcases are a great opportunity for students to meet their peers from other communities and share their passions with each other,” saidGovernor Maura Healey. “These students identified issues and presented solutions, and I’m grateful we are able to provide a forum for them to learn from one another.”  “We are so proud of these students, who have built awareness of challenges within their local communities and identified potential solutions,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m excited to see them all continue to grow as leaders and make real change for their friends, families and entire communities.” Approximately 865 students in total participated in the 2025 showcases. 21 schools were represented at UMass Dartmouth on May 27, 21 schools at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on May 28, 34 at the DCU Center in Worcester on June 2, and 41 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute on June 6. “Learning about community issues others are passionate about and taking action on inequities is part of being a member of society,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, who attended the Boston showcase at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute and participated in a panel discussion facilitated by student Karina Moya of Everett High School on youth civic engagement. “I am inspired by these young residents of the Commonwealth, their level of awareness within their communities and their desire to take action.” The Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases began in 2023. At each Showcase, volunteer community advisors have short conversations with students about their projects, asking questions and offering feedback based on their own expertise. Given the wide range in project topics, advisors come from a diversity of backgrounds: community organizers, legislators, business and non-profit leaders, educators, healthcare workers, and more. Community advisors nominate student-led civics projects for commendations, which represent exemplary projects. The 2024 civics project commendations are available online. “I am always inspired by these showcases because they show how much students care about what’s going on in their communities and about learning how to try to make change to improve their community. That’s what this is all about,” said Dave Buchanan, who served as a community advisor at the 2025 Worcester Showcase and coordinates the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition. An Act to promote and enhance civic engagement, approved in 2018, incorporated civics projects into eighth grade and high school. Projects can be done by individuals, small groups, or entire classrooms. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education also supports districts to engage students in civics through their 2018 History and Social Science Frameworks.

Mayor’s Garden Contest Submission Deadline is July 10

 Mayor’s Garden Contest Submission Deadline is July 10

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 11 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department today announced the launch of the 29th annual Mayor’s Garden Contest, celebrating the creativity and dedication of Boston’s urban gardeners. The contest recognizes residents who help beautify neighborhoods through their flowers, trees, shrubs, and landscaping efforts, making Boston a more vibrant, green, and welcoming city.

Gardeners have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9 to submit their entries. This year’s contest introduces a new category for Pollinator Gardens, highlighting gardens that support biodiversity by incorporating native species and creating habitats for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators.

Gardeners, or those nominating their favorite local gardeners, may submit photos through the online application boston.gov/garden-contest  (preferred method). To request a paper application, participants may email their name and mailing address to gardencontest@boston.gov. Paper applications are available in English and ten additional languages can also be found at boston.gov/garden-contest. 

Finalists will receive a visit from contest judges during the week of July 28. Once the votes are tallied, first-place winners in each category will be honored by Mayor Wu with the coveted “Golden Trowel” award, while second and third-place winners will receive official certificates.

Gardeners who have won three or more times in the last ten years will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. While Hall-of-Famers are no longer eligible to compete, they are invited to return as contest judges.

First-place winners are eligible for a drawing for a JetBlue Grand Prize consisting of two (2) round-trip travel certificates for travel to/from JetBlue cities (excluding transatlantic). Travel certificates cover the base fare of the flight; government taxes and fees are the responsibility of the winner. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply.  Mahoney’s Garden Centers donates gift certificates to the top three winners in each category, as well as gift certificates for the 2025 Hall of Fame winners.

To stay up to date with the Mayor’s Garden Contest as well as news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.