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星期六, 7月 26, 2014

台灣原住兒合唱團羅德島州開唱 兩州演出五場

來自台灣六龜山地育幼院的“台灣原住兒合唱團”,七月廿四日晚在羅德島華人基督教會展開該團今年在美國的第一場演唱會。羅州參議員郭蕾(Elizabeth Crowley)感動落淚,波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡也感動得即席捐款一千元。
        “台灣原住兒合唱團”的歌聲,早從1998年起就名揚各地。廿四日晚,該團不但演歌,還放映香港電視台拍攝的“天使人間”紀錄片,闡述台灣六龜山地育幼院創辦人楊洵牧師及林鳳英夫婦收養生來就沒有雙手的口足畫家楊恩典,創辦該院,在鄉間山裏扶養近千名孤兒,獲蔣經國垂愛,發動軍人為該院建成一條和外界聯通的石橋,以及寇順舉牧師遠從美國西雅圖來到,把該院兒童詩班變成名聞各地合唱團的經過。
            在會場做粵語,英語翻譯的宋健人醫師透露,六龜山地育幼院在接受紀錄片訪問時已103歲,去年他們夫婦倆相繼辭世,讓當晚出席音樂會的二百多人唏噓不已。
            1955年前後因台灣浸信會神學院和楊洵成為同學的寇順舉牧師,現已年逾八十,廿四日晚再度擔任指揮,帶“台灣原住兒合唱團”演唱了“山海歡唱”,“愛之火(夜之後)”,“天父慈愛雙眼”,“淒涼的雙眼”,“永不分離”,那雙看不見的手“,”梁山伯,祝英台“等十幾首歌曲。
            寇順舉表示,他們此行來到大波士頓,羅德島華人基督教會的接待,週到得讓人感動,不但帶他們到波士頓一日遊,去正好那天開張的餐廳用膳,還請他們吃大龍蝦。他們為表感謝,當晚特地加唱了多首平日難得不唱的歌。
            其中一首是讓帕華洛帝一唱而紅幾十年的杜蘭朵公主中的“淒涼的雙眼“。
            寇順舉表示,該首曲子有幾個音要用人類能唱的最高音才能唱得好聽。帕華洛帝年輕時,在遞補上台時演唱了該曲,讓人們聽見他的美妙高音,從此縱橫歌劇音樂舞台。
            “台灣原住兒合唱團”中十九歲的朱昱,也是因為有兩個音能唱得那麼高,才獲得隨團訪美機會。他們笑稱他是該團的帕華洛帝。
            駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠,副處長陳銘俊,波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文,波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡等人,廿四日晚聯袂出席,聊以表示他們對台灣原住兒合唱團的支持。
            負責聯繫這趟訪美加演唱的李帝平牧師表示,之前該團已在加拿大演出了十七場。在羅德島華人基督教會的這場,是他們今年在美國演出的第一場。他希望當晚出席者能至少每人邀請一個人,出席後面接著的幾場音樂會,好讓更多人知道,
六龜山育幼院的小朋友們雖然心靈受傷,但獲得天父大愛關照,正以他們的歌聲作見證,讓人看到生命的意義,也期望促動每個人把自己所有無私的分享給有需要的人。
            台灣原住兒合唱團昨(廿五)晚在波士頓西郊聖經教會演出,七月廿七日早上十點將再到羅德島華人基督教會演唱一場,晚上七點到勒星頓聖經教會演唱。

圖片說明:

            台灣原住兒合唱團和出席嘉賓合影。左起,董繼玲,李帝生,陳銘俊,馬滌凡,以及右五起,羅州參議員郭蕾,經文處長洪慧珠,寇順舉等人。(菊子攝)

            左起,馬滌凡,郭大文,洪慧珠,陳銘俊等人會後向團長楊恩惠(中)聊表心意。(菊子攝)


            寇順舉牧師指揮台灣原住兒合唱團演唱。(菊子攝)

國際領袖基金會青年大使團參訪羅州議會

國際領袖基金會(ILF)的近五十名國際青年親善大使昨(廿五)日抵羅德島州參訪州議會,模擬州議員討論提案,投票,實地感受從政經驗。
國際領袖基金會是個以培育政經青年領袖人才為宗旨的非營利組織近來每年從中國,台灣挑選優秀青年,辦為期兩週的國際事務與領導力培訓,並在結業時頒給『國際青年親善大使』榮銜
該會執行長董繼玲表示,辦這項目,旨在促進兩岸交流,拓展青年學子的國際視野,政治,文化經驗與見聞
今年共有來自北京,上海,臺北等地的四十六名青年學子獲選受訓,七月廿一日起,參觀紐約股票交易所,體驗華爾街金融文化,遊覽自由島,愛麗絲島(Ellis),時代廣場,接受著名的柯羅(Coro)領袖力培訓等。
昨日,這批國際青年親善大使抵達羅德島州,在國際領袖基金會紐英崙分會主席葉超,吳子平安排,顧問王曉元陪同下,不但有導遊帶他們參觀建於1895年,有“小白宮”之稱的羅德島州政府大樓,還踏進羅州參議會議事廳,坐在參議員專有座椅上,就槍支控制,娼妓合法化這兩個議題,進行正反方模擬辯論,並即席按鈕投票,當了半個多小時參議員。
羅州參議員米勒(Joshua Miller),刻正競選羅德島州州長的克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉杰(Allan Fung)昨日應邀出席,主持辯論。他倆都稱讚學生們聰明,思考角度多元。
昨日中午他們在中國飯店聚餐。董繼玲向青年大使們介紹葉超,吳子平當年口袋空空的從香港移民來美,經過幾十年努力,奮鬥,如今已是卓有成就的土地發展商之後,趕到會場的羅州參議員郭蕾(Elizabeth A. Crowley)指出,美國是移民之鄉,各式各樣美國夢的實現,正是美國多元化力量的展現。
            國際領袖基金會的國際青年大使培訓團預定在大波士頓停留兩天,參訪哈佛大學, 麻省理工學院,與兩校學生交流後,將轉赴華府,繼續培訓行程,包括接受企業協商,領導力及溝通培訓,學習美國金融業運作及財富的創造,參觀白宮,出席美亞策略經濟論壇等。

圖片說明:

            國際領袖基金會的國際青年親善大使們和董繼玲(左八起),馮偉杰,米勒(Joshua Miller)等人在羅州參議會議事廳合影。(菊子攝)

            國際領袖基金會執行長董繼玲(左起), 米勒(Joshua Miller),馮偉杰等人在羅州參議會議事廳主持辯論。(菊子攝)


            國際領袖基金會紐英崙分會主席葉超(左一),吳子平(右一),顧問王小元(左二)都支持馮偉杰競選羅州州長。(菊子攝)

波士頓首屆婦女騎自行車節 8/16

Boston Bikes – Women’s Program Logo
City of Boston
Mayor Martin J. Walsh
cityofboston.gov/bikes | bostonbikes.org
Registration Open!
Boston's First-Ever Women's Bike Ride & Festival 8/16

Register now for our hallmark women’s event of the season, the Boston Women’s Bike Ride & Festival, Saturday August 16th. Save $10 by registering before 11:59 pm on 8/8. Use code EARLYBIKE.
This celebration of women on bikes will be New England’s largest all-women’s ride and festival, and will feature scenic 10, 30, and 50 mile rides, skills clinics, family activities, music, an expo with bike-friendly companies, and more! Seasoned commuters, occasional cyclists, new riders, and kids are all welcome to participate in the event.
Join for just the ride or take part in a workshop taught by some of the best pro cyclists in the area to get tips on mountain biking, commuting, mechanics and more.
Adult learn-to-ride clinics will be offered for new riders or those who can’t remember the last time they were on a bike.
Discounted registration is available to low-income Boston residents.
And men on bikes – we love you too! Please join the festival as volunteers, or to cheer on the women in your lives as they take part in the ride.
Please email bostonbikes@boston.gov or call 617-918-4343 for more information on discounted registration or to volunteer.

For women who never learned to ride or who can't remember the last time they were on a bike, our Learn- to-Ride clinic will provide on-bike training led by experienced urban riders. Our free two-hour clinic helps women gain the skills and confidence to get on a bike and keep on rolling. The first clinic will be held next Tuesday, July 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 at Roxbury Community College. For more information and registration click here, or call 617-918-4458.

For women looking for a fun night on the town, our Women's Bike Socials provide a weeknight outing by bike, each with a different theme and destination. On August 7th we'll ride from Ruggles Station to two different farmers markets in Boston, ending in Dudley Square. Get your fruit and veggie shopping done by bike! Our Bike Social rides are a good introduction to riding in traffic for those newer to urban cycling, with several experienced urban cyclists who serve as ride leaders. Sign up now!
Connect with Women Bike Boston & Boston Bikes
http://www.twitter.com/womenbikeboston     http://womenbikeboston.tumblr.com     http://fb.me/bostonbikes     http://twitter.com/bikeboston     http://instagram.com/bikeboston
Boston City Hall - Suite 932 | Boston, MA 02201
bostonbikes@boston.gov | cityofboston.gov/bikes | bostonbikes.org

HHS: Consumers have saved a total of $9 billion on premiums

Consumers have saved a total of $9 billion on premiums
Health care law will return to families an average refund of $80 each this year

 
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced today that consumers have saved a total of $9 billion on their health insurance premiums since 2011 as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

Created through the law, the 80/20 rule, also known as the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rule, requires insurers to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on patient care and quality improvement activities.  If insurers spend an excessive amount on profits and red tape, they owe a refund back to consumers.

“We are pleased that the Affordable Care Act continues to provide Americans better value for their premium dollars,” said Secretary Burwell.  “We are continuing our work on building a sustainable long-term system, and provisions such as the 80/20 rule are providing Americans with immediate savings and helping to bring transparency and accountability to the insurance market over the long term.”

An HHS report released today shows that last year alone, consumers nationwide saved $3.8 billion up front on their premiums as insurance companies operated more efficiently.  Additionally, consumers nationwide will save $330 million in refunds, with 6.8 million consumers due to receive an average refund benefit of $80 per family.  This standard and other Affordable Care Act standards contributed to consumers saving approximately $4.1 billion on premiums in 2013, for a total of $9 billion in savings since the MLR program’s inception.

The report shows that since the rule took effect, more insurers year over year are meeting the 80/20 standard by spending more of the premium dollars they collect on patient care and quality, and not red tape and bonuses.

If an insurer did not spend enough premium dollars on patient care and quality improvement, they must pay refunds to consumers in one of the following ways:
  • a refund check in the mail;
  • a lump-sum reimbursement to the same account that was used to pay the premium;
  • a reduction in their future premiums; or
  • if the consumer bought insurance through their employer, their employer must provide one of the above options, or apply the refund in another manner that benefits its employees, such as more generous benefits.
The 80/20 rule, along with other standards such as the required review of proposedpremium increases, is one of many reforms created under the health law helping to slow premium growth and moderate premium rates.  Combined with the savings consumers are receiving from tax credits on the Marketplace and the new market reforms, including the prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions and charging women more for insurance than men, the 80/20 rule helps ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health insurance.

To access the report released today, visit: http://www.cms.gov/cciio/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/index.html#Medical Loss Ratio.

For more information on MLR, visit: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Health-Insurance-Market-Reforms/Medical-Loss-Ratio.html.

波士頓廣場 7/27 免費騎旋轉木馬 晤紅襪隊DJ

Out of the Park
LAST CHANCE THIS SUMMER!
Sunday, July 27
Boston Common at 1:40 pm
Corner of Charles and Beacon Streets
EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT THIS FREE EVENT
FEATURING
Free Carousel Rides
Red Sox mascot Wally
The Red Sox DJ TJ Connelly
Hot Tamales Brass Band
Live announcer
Special guests
ACTIVITIES
Live viewing of the game
Caricaturists
Balloon Artists
Face Painters
Giveaways
Refreshments
Celebrate America’s pastime as we bring the excitement of Fenway to a park near you. Bring a blanket to watch the game on the big screen and
cheer on the Red Sox!
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL HIGHLAND STREET FOUNDATION
AT 617-969-8900 OR VISIT WWW.HIGHLANDSTREET.ORG/OOTP
For more information, call 617-635-3510

星期五, 7月 25, 2014

天津、南開大學校友百人歡聚

波士頓地區天津大學校友會和南開校友會上週末在水城兵工廠(Arsenal)公園舉辦第二屆年度燒烤派對,一百三十多名校友在郭明遠,朱雷這兩名會長率熱心幹部服務下,大快朵頤,吃烤肉,“侃大山“,樂不思蜀,友誼更濃。
承辦報名的校友指出,校友們今年熱情空前,勝過夏日驕陽,辦燒烤聯誼活動的消息傳出去沒多久,報名人數就迅速過百,礙於場地限制,他們還不得不提前截止網上報名 。第二屆年度﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽
七月廿日這天,包括南開系列學校的南開大學,天津南開中學,重慶南開中學等,和天津大學校友絡繹抵達。不論是讀研的,工作的,還是早已退休的,一聊起兩校的點滴往事,過往青蔥歲月,所有的年齡,地域,科系,校別距離,就都不見了,每個人都笑得見牙不見眼的分外親切,暢聚得有如家人團圓。
南開校友會會長朱雷和天津大學校友會會長郭明遠,這天也一大早就趕到現場,張掛出兩校的校友會會旗,商請天大屈翠香及南開張夢溪為陸續抵達者辦報到,登記,再催請已排定的大廚各顯身手,冒著煙熏火熱,細心燒烤。
由於烤肉飄香,太過誘人,常常肉片才烤好,馬上就被聞香隊一搶而光,讓大廚們忙不過來,幾乎顧不上自己也嚐嚐。
當天的聚會,除了烤肉吃喝,還有抽獎。天津南開中學的馮雲在兩週前註冊時,就猜中了世界杯決賽冠軍及比分結果,獲得籌辦小組精心準備的足球獎品。
現場抽獎由當天最年輕的義工,9歲的Jeremy Li主持。獲獎者是出席者中最年長校友之一,天大65級的精儀學院教授羅卓書,讓校友們笑說這是互補效果。
遊戲部分,也精彩紛呈,年紀輕的打籃球,踢足球,玩撲克;小孩子玩彩蛋接力,夾氣球比賽,蒙眼捉人。年長的在樹蔭下聊天納涼。天大2007級的黃丹丹,看在眼中,喜在心裏,欣慰的說,這樣的校友聚會,怎不令人嚮往。
兩校的活動組織者在燒烤會結束前,感謝校友們的支持,關注,籲請校友們保持聯繫,互相提攜,最後請全體校友留下一幀全家福大合影。

圖片說明:

     天津、南開兩校夏日暢敘大合影。(圖由兩校校友會提供)

     南開、天津校友聚會,小孩子也玩得高興。(圖由兩校校友會提供)

麻州通過法令 禁止買賣魚翅

麻州州長派區克(Deval Patrick)日前揮筆,麻州成為全美禁止買賣魚翅的第九州。
魚翅是昂貴的商品,貴到一碗湯能賣到一百元以上。
受該法令影響最大的,將是那些出售進口魚翅的公司。麻州及聯邦政府已經禁止割取魚翅。許多動物擁護者表示,魚翅通常是在鯊魚還活著時割取的。
派區克辦公室在宣佈同意簽署此法時,強調該法對麻州漁業地影響不大。本地捕獲的品種,包括滑水魚,光滑的獵犬鯊,白斑角鯊,可豁免於此法的限制。
            支持者表示,這樣的限制,有助縮減那些法令較鬆國家所採集魚翅在美國的市場。
            魚翅是一種東亞美食,通常是煮成湯上桌。捕獵者會獵取在海內遨遊的四百多種鯊魚的任何一種,意味著有些頻臨滅絕品種的鯊魚,也可能上到餐桌。
            派區克辦公室表示,違反這一麻州法令者,將面對最高罰款一千元,入獄六十天,並失去捕魚執照的懲罰。

            麻州州長在一份聲明中表示,通過此法,是麻州保護動物及環境的努力之一。