波士頓的天氣，陰霾了一個星期。讓許多人忍著華氏四十多度的低溫感嘆，這不都已經四月底，五月初了嗎，春天在哪裡？
昨（二）日，波士頓的天色是烏雲與陽光交錯，但氣溫已回升到67度，讓人期待重見一個星期前的查理斯河畔，櫻花在陽光燦爛中綻放的美景。（圖與文：菊子）
星期五, 5月 02, 2014
波市城中區華屋多 租金下跌9%
波士頓城中區的租金下跌了9%?
大本營設在華府的共星（CoStar）集團最近發表一份報告，指波士頓城中區幾棟豪華住宅之間的競爭，把波士頓後灣區（Back
Bay），南端（South End）的今年度第一季平均租金，拉低了9%，成為比任何一個其他都會跌幅都大的地方。
該份報告指出，租金下跌，是從城中區的京盛頓（Kensington），後灣區的阿瓦隆艾克塞特（Avalon Exeter），北車站的勝利者（Victor），A街上的315，海港區的水畔地（Waterside Place）等大樓上市出租後開始的。在供人選擇的單位總共有一千多間之下，房東們開始提出優惠條件，諸如簽約後第一個月免房租等。
後灣區及南端的公寓平均房租，在2013年第一季達到3683元的高點後，2014年第一季，降到3341元。
不過儘管平均租金下跌，後灣區及南端這兩個社區，仍然是波士頓市內租金最貴的地區。
城中區及華埠，對租客來說，是次貴地區。今年第一季的租金，也見下跌。從一年前的3236元，跌至3073元。跌幅5%。
海港區今年一月至三月的租金跌了2.1%，從去年的3131元，跌至3065元。
奧斯頓-布萊頓（Allston-Brighton）仍然是最可負擔的社區，今年第一季的平均租金為1919元，和去年同期的1889元相比，漲了1.6%。
共星集團的分析師表示，奧斯頓-布萊頓區的房屋，多半是學生租住。那兒的房屋一般也比較老舊。
波士頓亞裔房東會請關定安分享經驗
)“做房地產，投資額大小不是問題，能否準確計算才是關鍵”。“成功的祕訣是能見他人所不見”。Cosmo土地公司負責人關定安日前出席波士頓亞裔房東會活動，分享他個人的創業經驗。
關定安來自香港，是哈佛大學設計學院研究所校友，創辦，經營Cosmo土地公司，已逾15年，主要做商業房地產。
他一向低調，不願闡述自己經營的事業，但網路資料指他在亞洲，東海岸，參與大規模發展項目，已完成的有電力廠，醫院，辦公大樓，零售商場，特別教育機構用地，以及分銷中心等。他也為有意赴中國，美國發展商業房地場的美國，中國公司做顧問。
關定安強調，失敗為成功之母，有心做房地產發展，就要肯試，敢衝。但當然不能盲目亂來。譬如抱著要贏錢的企圖去拉斯維加斯賭場賭博，已註定有99%的機會要輸。所以採取行動前，要先問自己，“這麼做，值不值得”。
他勸有心者，別造牆擋自己，也別用錢不夠來嚇唬自己，因為房地產是很不一樣的領域，關鍵不在於個人手邊資產多寡，而是能不能看見別人看不到的形勢、機會，懂不懂得精準計算，會不會做判斷。
35年前他起家，就是9號公路上有一家公司破產，欠銀行75萬元，要拍賣還債。其他人都無力和其中一家競標的大公司爭，但他查到某人擁有該物業的“優先購買權（first
right of refusal）”，搶先取得該優先購買權。此外，他看到該物業坐落於交通流量很高地段，改做其他用途後可有很高增值機會，於是草擬計劃，成功遊說銀行貸款，結果不但沒花多少成本，二年後就獲高額淨利。
不過，關定安勸人別貿貿然買塊地，或買棟舊樓翻修，就打算自己做發展商。他透露，最近有不少來自中國的有錢人，就犯這種把中國模式照搬到美國的錯誤。其中一人二年前斥資數百萬元，買下一棟六十年舊大樓，打算改造成豪華公寓，哪知碰上美國許多法令，規矩，結果既不能動工，也不能賣，還得年年繳稅。
關定安坦言，他不碰那些會出現太多變數的物業，例如頤養院這一類的物業，政府法規隨時可能變更。他個人做的房地產項目，多半是醫院，零售商場。
他認為儘管做生意要賺錢，記得回饋社會更重要。至於律師，一般都太保守，有心達成交易時，得自己做判斷，別仰賴律師。
波士頓亞裔房東會日前的這場活動，從下午二點就開始，先舉行
“房產與財富知識講座”，由中城地產的潘樹仁談“15 年與30 年房貸還款的差別”，財務顧問夏根娣談. “房産與財富分佈策略”。晚上還有甜蜜玫瑰（Sweet
and Rose）律師事務所的Larry Rose談房東如何保護自己，提及若房東預先收取最後一個月的租金，必須每年付5%的利息給房客等規定。
波士頓亞裔房東會的共同主持人劉伯岳提醒房東們，該會最近開始，每月第二個星期六的下午二點至十點，在MIT的E51-315教室舉辦活動。今夏的七月四日，將舉辦燒烤會。
查詢波士頓亞裔房東會詳情，可洽潘樹仁，617-834-4071。。
圖片說明：
波士頓亞裔房東會創辦人潘樹仁（右）邀來房地產業的成功人士，Cosmo土地公司負責人關定安（左）分享經驗。（菊子攝）
劉伯岳（右）等人，每次都為波士頓亞裔房東會帶麵包，蛋糕等點心。（菊子攝）
波士頓亞裔房東會的聚會，仍然保持每次都有至少六，七十人出席的熱度。（菊子攝）
星期四, 5月 01, 2014
Harvard Undergraduate Arrested in Blocking President's Office for dialogue on Fossil Fuel Divestment
Harvard Undergraduate Arrested As Students Blockade the President's Office Calling for An Open Dialogue on Fossil Fuel Divestment
Cambridge, MA--Harvard junior Brett Roche was arrested early Thursday morning while participating in a seven-person blockade of Harvard University President Drew Faust’s office. The blockade was an attempt to win an open meeting with Harvard trustees to discuss fossil fuel divestment.
This was the first arrest for the growing fossil fuel divestment movement, which has spread to over 500 campuses, cities, and religious institutions across the globe.
“The administration of Harvard University would rather arrest their own students and have police force us out of the way than speak to us civilly about this important issue,” said Ted Hamilton, a first-year student at Harvard Law School who risked arrest in the blockade. Student have repeatedly requested a public meeting with President Faust and trustees about divestment, but they have refused thus far.
Six students began blockading the main entrance to President Faust’s office on Wednesday morning, forcing high-level administrators to enter through side doors. On Thursday morning the students, joined by Harvard alumnus Bob Massie and Harvard’s Quaker chaplain John Bach, moved to block all entrances to the building, prompting the arrest.
“Today I want to thank Divest Harvard for giving me the chance to be the person who I purport to be--a person who gives a damn,” said John Bach, Quaker chaplain at Harvard’s Memorial Church.
While the other blockaders were not arrested, the Harvard College Dean of Student Life Stephen Lassonde warned students on Wednesdaythat they will face disciplinary action from the administration.
Over 50,000 people have signed online petitions supporting Harvard students. Tomorrow, Divest Harvard and student, faculty and alumni supporters will deliver the petition signatures to the administration at 12:00pm at Massachusetts Hall in Harvard Yard.
For two years, students, faculty, and alumni with the Divest Harvard campaign have been calling on administrators to divest Harvard’s $31 billion endowment from the top 200 fossil fuel companies. Over 100 faculty recently sent a letter to President Drew Faust urging her to support divestment.
GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO SUPPORT UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD CENTER
New Center will expand growth and opportunity throughout the region
SPRINGFIELD – Thursday, May 1, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced $5.2 million in funding to complete the construction and furnishings for a new University of Massachusetts (UMass) Center located in Springfield. The grant is funded through the FY2014 capital plan, and will help UMass ensure completion of construction in time for the fall 2014 semester.
"Today's announcement of funding is great news for Springfield and the entire University of Massachusetts system" said Governor Patrick. "This new Center will provide vital education and skills training resources in downtown Springfield, and open up new educational and job opportunities for the residents of Springfield and beyond."
"The funding that Governor Patrick announced today dramatically strengthens the new UMass Center at Springfield, which is not only an educational collaboration but also an economic initiative, a downtown revitalization initiative, while at its core an investment in people's lives and their futures,'' said UMass President Robert L. Caret. "It is consistent with what Governor Patrick has always been about and what the University of Massachusetts is about, which is providing opportunities for the citizens of the Commonwealth to realize their potential.''
In November 2013 Governor Patrick announced that UMass selected Tower Square, an office tower owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., to house the center. The 26,000 square-foot facility is located at the heart of Springfield's downtown district, and is two blocks from City Hall and the MassMutual Center. The new center will significantly expand the University's presence in western Massachusetts and unlock a range of degree opportunities to students of all ages that will be tailored to the meet the region's workforce needs.
“Skilled workers, especially in growing industries like IT and advanced manufacturing, are critical to Springfield’s economic development,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “The new UMass Center at Springfield will partner with MassMutual, Baystate Health Systems and Springfield residents to expand opportunity in the city.”
The center will be comprised of ten large, instructional rooms, including three nursing classrooms, one computer lab, two conference rooms, seven small meeting rooms, and space for student counseling and public events and meetings. UMass President Robert Caret and Chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees Henry Thomas committed to open the center with classes offered by faculty from the four undergraduate UMass campuses, in partnership with Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College, among other institutions.
"We're thrilled to be part of helping to make the UMass Center at Springfield a reality, as we view it as a key contributor to economic growth in the region," said Chairman, President and CEO of MassMutual Roger Crandall. "Having such a renowned institution as UMass establish a presence in the city is a great way for businesses to tap into potential future talent, which will enable both the city and business community to grow and become stronger together."
The UMass Center at Springfield is scheduled to fully open at the end of August, in time for the fall 2014 semester. There will be 40 course offerings across 10 academic programs, including: Nursing, Education, Liberal Arts, Masters of Business Administration, Cyber Security/Network Security, Landscape Architecture and Planning, Architecture, Addiction Counseling, University without Walls (a bachelor's degree program for nontraditional learners) and seven training programs offered by the community colleges. The University has already opened a Welcome Center on the first floor of Tower Square where prospective students can find information about the fall courses.
Earlier this month, Governor Patrick filed An Act to Promote Growth and Opportunity, which provides $20 million for an Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology Training Trust Fund to train 4,000 workers for middle-skill careers in manufacturing and information technology fields to address shortages in these industries and help employers continue to grow and innovate. The legislation creates tools and training so our workforce is prepared to meet the needs of employers, invests in our Gateway Cities to promote economic development across the entire state and provides incentives to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The bill furthers the Administration's proven growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure that has led to record job creation in Massachusetts and has made the Commonwealth a global leader in key innovation economy sectors.
For more on the bill, visit www.mass.gov/competes
綠路一號向社區匯報工程進度 居民爭取建築工作機會
亞美社區發展協會（ACDC）與新波士頓基金（New Boston
Fund）合作發展，現名“綠路一號（One Greenway）”的廿四號地段，四月三十日晚在信義大廈報告工程進度，聽取社區意見，並邀請社區大眾五月六日（週二）中午出席破土典禮。
亞美社區發展協會（ACDC）主任陳潔瑩，房地產主任劉安琪和新波士頓基金（New
Boston Fund）副總裁Sean Sack，新波士頓基金建築副董事長伍克(David
Walker)，薩福克建設公司（Suffolk）多元人力主任Brian K. McPherson等不下九人，四月三十日晚在信義大廈向社區報告，總造價約一億七千萬元的這“綠路一號”工程進度。
會中報告的重點，包括五月中將開始動工，安裝中等高度樓宇的鋼架，高層樓宇的結構部分，預定十一月完工。
從五月三日（週六）起，尼倫街（Kneeland）和南車站相連道之間的阿爾巴尼街（Albany），將有一線車到封閉，以容許建築公司運送鋼筋。
共有312個單位，包括217個市價單位，95個可負擔住宅，稱為北樓的“綠路一號”大樓第一期工程，預定2015年六月竣工，並將從2015年春起，上市銷售，招租。
當晚出席會議的人數並不多，但提出的問題很嚴肅。
其中數人是乞臣街（Hudson）居民。他們要求新波士頓基金與亞美社區發展協會拿出辦法，解決他們拿到的停車罰單問題。
其中一名年輕男居民表示，乞臣街一向都是貼有居民許可證車輛可停洎的街道。四月份時，他卻突然拿到一張金額高達55元的罰單，這才知道有一部份街道被工程單位徵用了。他不高興地表示，各有關單位未善盡通知當地居民的義務。他表示，據他所知，該一路段還是沒有適當標誌，仍有人繼續在領罰單。
新波士頓基金（New Boston Fund）副總裁Sean Sack表示，為工程需要，直至十一月左右，乞臣街上約有12個車位，將暫時不可停車。他相信相關人員在街上已張貼告示，但將積極與遭遇停車罰單問題的居民，協商出一個大家都滿意的解決辦法。
華人前進會營運主任劉衛恒當晚陪同多名木工出席會議，要求承建“綠路一號”的薩福克建築公司，遵循波士頓市府工作法，以適當比例聘用波士頓市民，少數族裔及婦女，尤其是要給華埠居民工作機會。
薩福克建設公司（Suffolk）多元人力主任Brian K. McPherson表示，建築行業是工會工作。他允諾協助華埠內已加入工會的12名木工，爭取“綠路一號”，或者其他工程的工作機會，但坦言“綠路一號”還處於架鋼筋，灌水泥階段，得等工程進行到更後面的階段時，才用得到木工。
圖片說明：
亞美社區發展協會（ACDC）主任陳潔瑩（右起） 和新波士頓基金建築副董事長伍克(David Walker)，新波士頓基金（New
Boston Fund）副總裁Sean Sack等人，報告“綠路一號”工程進度。（菊子攝）
新波士頓基金把施工單位的主要人員都請到現場，回答民眾提問。（菊子攝）
出席木工（中）透過華埠居民會行政主任殷先彬協助翻譯，向亞美社區發展協會主任陳潔瑩陳述紐約的包工情況。（菊子攝）
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