美東國術會慶中秋 八武館獻藝秀功夫

右起，胡衛正，周紹球，余仕昂，譚輝等紐英崙美東國術會要員和經文處副處長陳銘俊
（左一），麻州副州長候選人張禮能（左三）在會中合影。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 美東國術總會紐英崙總分會23日晚在喜臨門設宴慶祝甲午馬年中秋，八個武術團體競相獻藝，兩個舞蹈團演出八舞，近三百人歡聚一堂，熱鬧非常。

  參與活動的武術團體會末大合照。（周菊子攝）

            美東國術總會紐英崙總分會從去年開始，改以中秋武林大會，取代農曆新春大宴。由於各武館時間不易配合，參加活動的武館，和去年並不儘相同。23日晚上場示範者，包括胡清白鶴派，黃強白眉派，華林派，駱瀚源空手道，波士頓少林功夫中心，芳太極氣功協會，巾幗醒獅團，東方文化學院，共八個團體。

            該會創辦人之一，現已高齡八十六歲的余仕昂仍擔任總策劃，該會新會長之一，創辦東方文化學院的譚輝和大波士頓資歷極深的周紹球搭擋任司儀。

            前述各團體當晚輪番上場，展示太極，推手，虎鶴拳，羅漢拳，連環腿，刀槍劍戟等各種功夫。

 各門派師傅及嘉賓合影。（周菊子攝）

            其中的華林派，由摩頓市華林功夫學校師傅余翠梅率隊示範。她的丈夫陳錦榮，兒子陳城熹，都夾在表演團隊中，和團員們展示的踢腿，彈跳，翻騰動作，舉手投足都虎虎有風，讓台下觀眾紛紛稱讚，難怪該一功夫學校最近在一國際比賽中奪得兩項總冠軍。

            當晚示範功夫的團隊，共有兩個是由女師傅領頭，余翠梅之外是來自台灣，臺北體育大學畢業，獲有春田學院體育碩士學位，在普利茅斯（Plymouth）創辦了芳太極氣功協會的李芳芝。

  李芳芝（左），余翠梅（右）是當晚的兩名女師傅。（周菊子攝

            總強調每次大會都要帶點新東西來的駱翰源師傅，這晚除了再次指出武術是種對抗（fight）藝術，還請出兩名白髮蒼蒼，分別已高齡六十九歲，七十六歲的老先生，示範用手杖當武器的防身法，提醒年長者，善用手杖及把手彎勾，就不怕歹徒太歲頭上動土了。

            創辦將近四年，武館設在昆士市的波士頓少林中心，這晚由年輕的開館師傅釋恆正指揮徒弟上場。為了陪女兒，跟著學武，曾任紐英崙中華專業人員協會副會長的林明輝，也手起腳落，已然身手不凡。

  紐英崙美東國術會和茉莉花舞蹈團合影。（周菊子攝）

            美東國術總會紐英崙總分會前任會長胡衛正透露，目前該會包括三個武館，胡清白鶴派，黃強白眉派，以及東方文化學院。今年的會長為東方文化學院創辦人譚輝，副會長為黃強白眉派師傅蘇細春。其他到會示範武術的都是嘉賓武館。往年參與示範，黃雅亭師傅率領的南派武館，以及Michael William創辦的武藝研究院，都因在外地參加比賽，未能出席。

            當晚到賀嘉賓，包括駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文，波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡，紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，正在競選麻州副州長的劍橋市議員張禮能等人。

  波士頓鄉土舞蹈團演出。（周菊子攝）

            查詢美東國術總會紐英崙總分會詳情，可發電郵到，e92ken@gmail.com。

波士頓少林功夫中心

麻州未加入聯邦真正ID法 居民進出聯邦大樓、登機將受限

麻州未簽署實施聯邦政府的“真正身分證（REAL ID）“法，開始面對聯邦政府不承認麻州駕照，麻州居民因此無法進聯邦大樓，甚至無法登機的困境。

波士頓環球報昨（26）日一篇報導指出，一麻州居民最近遭遇持麻州駕照，無法進入華府附近一聯邦大樓狀況。

據悉，全美共有九州未簽署“真正身分證”法，麻州是其中之ㄧ。

美國聯邦政府的“真正身分證”法，逼使各州證實持駕照者的公民資格，並在發駕照時更新安全標準。美國國會想藉此法防堵恐怖份子，但麻州及其他州的官員因為該法有侵犯州權之嫌，得額外多花數以百萬元計的金錢，還有隱私權顧慮而猶豫未簽署。

各州並不會因未簽署該法而受懲罰，但該法從今年七月底實施後，居民將為遭遇到的限制而感沮喪。

            波士頓環球報指出，麻州州長派區克（Deval Patrick）辦公室把這問題轉給了麻州交通廳。該廳發言人Cyndi Roy Gonzalez表示，麻州已申請延期實施，以期有足夠時間因應該法的規定。

            她說，美國國土安全局(DHS)要求各州大幅度改變發駕照制度，麻州想確保能做得對，做得好。但她並未詳細說明。

            麻州若要符合該法，必須在發放駕照時符合一系列規定，包括檢查申請駕照者的身份是否合法，保留照片，調查有權接觸敏感資料的員工背景等。這些標準旨在防止欺詐，以及入境安全。

            該法是“911“事件發生後，在2005年時訂定的，國土安全局已延緩實施多年，但今年四月起開始逐步施行。第二階段是七月開始的。

            有20個州和哥倫比亞（Columbia）特區獲得了展延實施待遇，21州考慮提出抱怨。另外3州未作任何改變，但為人們提供了可用以展示的特別駕照。

            剩下的六州居民，在沒有另外一種身分證明時，就無法進入聯邦大樓有限制的部分。這六州為麻州，緬因州（Maine），奧克拉荷馬州（Oklahoma），阿拉斯加州（Alaska），亞利桑納州（Arizona），以及路易斯安納州（Louisiana）。

            由於最新階段行動從七月廿一日起生效，目前還不清楚有多少人受到影響，或者有多少聯邦樓宇嚴格執行這一規定。

           該法的作用，也有各種情況。遊客仍可不需要身分證就進入史密松（Smithsonian ）博物館，被告也仍可出庭。

            除非麻州加入實施該法，沒有其他身分證明文件的居民，從2016年起，將會發現自己無法遊白宮，不能登上商業飛機。

            麻州參議會少數黨領袖Bruce Tarr表示，他為此和派區克政府接觸，幾乎沒得到回應。只能猜測那是因為因應“真正身分證”法，將會阻礙派區克政府想要給非法居留者駕照的企圖。

            麻州議會的交通憐惜委員會六月時否決了發駕照給無證件居民的議案。派區克以發駕照，可讓麻州知道駕駛的背景為由，支持發駕照，但反對者認為那是給了違法者具危險性的好處。

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACE PROGRAM IN GATEWAY CITIES

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACE PROGRAM IN GATEWAY CITIESApplication Process Now Underway for $2 Million in Transformative Development Funds from Economic Development Bill Signed by Governor Patrick

BOSTON – Wednesday, August 27, 2014 – Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki today announced the start of the application process for collaborative workspace grants from the Transformative Development Fund, which was created through the Economic Development Legislation signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick on August 13. Entrepreneurs in Gateway Cities can now apply for up to $2 million in matching grants to for-profit and nonprofit entities that will own, sponsor, or operate collaborative workspaces – shared communities that promote innovation, creativity, and interaction between and among tenants.

“Collaborative workspaces inspire communities of innovation,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “These shared environments are hubs of economic activity, and are a very important part of our overall growth strategy.”

“An Act To Promote Economic Growth in the Commonwealth,” signed by Governor Patrick, provided for the creation of a Gateway Cities Transformative Development Fund. With more than $16 million, the Fund will bring growth and opportunity to Gateway Cities by enabling equity investments and technical assistance to support transformative development in these communities. MassDevelopment will manage the various components of the $16,050,000 Fund as part of the new Transformative Development Initiative (TDI). 

“The sharing economy has driven demand for flexible, dynamic workspaces, especially in Gateway Cities,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “We look forward to seeing the spaces that will spring from this first phase of the Transformative Development Initiative, and appreciate the trust in the agency that Governor Patrick and the Legislature have shown in choosing MassDevelopment to launch this program.” 

Interested applicants can access the Request for Proposals for the grants by clicking here. Grants will apply to construction, improvements, or equipment for new spaces or for existing facility expansions. Collaborative workspaces often feature open floor plans, community meeting spaces, and other features to encourage connections between tenants. Some have become headquarters for small and innovative businesses and created focal points for economic clusters, as MassDevelopment found in a 2013 report the Agency commissioned on makerspaces.

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2013, MassDevelopment financed or managed 350 projects generating investment of more than $2.4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create more than 7,000 jobs and build or rehabilitate 800 residential units.

BPS 8/27 發校車181 輛載送 3954 學生

Tuesday evening update on Boston school bus service

Statement from Interim Superintendent John McDonough

We were able to cover all bus routes this afternoon thanks to a combination of regular bus drivers and supervisors.

As you know, the number of buses required on the road increases every day this week. Tomorrow morning we will need 181 buses, compared to 155 this afternoon, to serve approximately 3,954 students.

As of 8pm tonight Veolia and the drivers’ union have let us know they still need 15 more drivers to confirm their attendance in order to guarantee full on-time service.

Therefore, we cannot guarantee on-time service for all students tomorrow. Veolia has assured us that all routes will run – but that routes that do not yet have a driver may experience significant delays.

Unfortunately we must alert parents again to prepare alternate arrangements to bring their students to and from school on Wednesday if necessary.

Just as we did today, we will work closely with Veolia to post specific information about routes as soon as we receive it in the morning. This will be posted at bostonpublicschools.org and will also be communicated to school leaders. Parents can call the BPS Transportation Hotline at (617) 635-9520 in the morning to check their status or locate their child’s school bus in real-time at http://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org.

We are working with the MBTA to offer free service for students on Wednesday if this is necessary.

Our hope is that by sharing information as we receive it, parents can plan ahead. Although we saw some progress today toward full service, it is unfortunately still clear that our drivers and Veolia have not yet reached the point where service can be guaranteed every day. We share in your frustration and appreciate your patience.

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Tuesday afternoon update on Boston school bus service

Statement from Interim Superintendent John McDonough

We are focused on ensuring students and parents can rely on school bus service today and tomorrow. Here is where things stand:

This afternoon there are 155 bus routes to serve approximately 3,500 students. So far, 148 drivers have confirmed that they will drive. Veolia is prepared to assign 7 supervisors to pick up additional trips.

This means that there are enough drivers to complete all routes this afternoon on normal schedules.

We are still assessing the situation for tomorrow and will provide an update later today. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email torelease+unsubscribe@bostonpublicschools.org.

Monday evening update on Boston school bus service

Statement from Interim Superintendent John McDonough

We were able to cover all bus routes this afternoon thanks to a combination of regular bus drivers, supervisors and backup providers.

However, the number of buses required on the road increases every day this week. Tomorrow morning we will need 175 buses, compared to about 120 today. So far, only about 110 drivers have agreed to work tomorrow.

Veolia has indicated it is working with the union to encourage the drivers to report tomorrow. Veolia is continuing to assign drivers to routes. However, we cannot guarantee service tomorrow morning.

The MBTA will be free on Tuesday for students.

Families should prepare alternate arrangements to bring students to and from school Tuesday if necessary.

This ongoing uncertainty is unacceptable to us and is unacceptable to our students and families, who count on having a reliable ride to school.

Families can check the status of their school bus online at http://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org or by calling our Transportation Hotline at (617) 635-9520.

We know this is frustrating for families and schools. We join you in that frustration. We will continue to share information as it becomes available. 

There are 32 schools open in Boston on Tuesday: two BPS in-district charter schools, one Level 5 school, 15 Commonwealth Charter schools and 14 special education programs.

Update on Boston school bus service

Statement from Interim Superintendent John McDonough

The school bus drivers’ union gave us assurances for several days, including early this morning, that they would provide full service to all students today. This is despite the fact that it did not permit drivers to bid last week to prepare in advance for routes that began this morning.

Based on the reality on the ground this morning, it has become clear that the Union has not delivered on its promise. Thirteen of about 120 scheduled routes did not run. This is unacceptable to us and is unacceptable to our students and families, who count on having a reliable ride to school.

As a result we are taking the following steps:

1. We are dispatching supplemental service providers to cover some of the routes that are at risk this afternoon
2. Veolia is dispatching route supervisors to drive buses
3. The MBTA is free for students today
4. Veolia is continuing to allow drivers to bid on afternoon routes, just as they did this morning, in the hope that additional drivers decide to come to work.

Even within the last hour, the drivers’ union has said that all drivers will report to work this afternoon. We do not have confidence that this will be the case. With these additional resources we will have the capacity to run all routes this afternoon, although some may be significantly delayed. We want to let families know that they should prepare alternate arrangements to pick up students from school today if necessary. Families can check the status of their school bus at http://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org or by calling our Transportation Hotline at (617) 635-9520. We will post updates at bostonpublicschools.org.

We know this is frustrating for families and schools. We are as frustrated as anyone else with the ongoing uncertainty that has been created by our bus drivers union and want to apologize to the families who are affected. We will try to share as much information as we can. 

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Statement from Mayor Martin J. Walsh on School Buses and Student Safety

Statement from Mayor Martin J. Walsh on School Buses and Student Safety 

"I'm being updated regularly on this situation, and have been informed that Veolia and the bus drivers union continue to negotiate a new contract in good faith. I expect that they will reach a resolution that will provide certainty for all families every day. This is what students and parents deserve.

"The current situation, however, does not appear to be about a new contract. It is unfortunate that a small group of drivers have refused to participate. 

"I'm incredibly frustrated, and I know that parents, students, and school administrators and staff share this frustration. This is unacceptable, and I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that students get to and from school safely."

MassHousing Loan Closings of $16.6 Million Will Preserve Affordability for Senior Citizens Living at the 135-Unit Beacon House on Beacon Hill

MassHousing Loan Closings of $16.6 Million Will Preserve Affordability for Senior Citizens Living at the 135-Unit Beacon House on Beacon Hill

Acquisition of the property by Rogerson Communities and covenants with the city of Boston will extend affordability in perpetuity

BOSTON – August 26, 2014 – Affordability for senior citizens living at the 135-unit Beacon House on Beacon Hill has been extended in perpetuity by the new ownership as a result of $16.6 million in MassHousing financing.

An affiliate of Rogerson Communities used the MassHousing loans to acquire Beacon House and in agreement with the city of Boston extend the affordability for the residents there for the life of the property. Without the MassHousing transaction and Rogerson Communities creating a new general partner entity the affordability at Beacon House was at risk.

"Beacon House is an important source of affordable housing for senior citizens living on Beacon Hill and now that affordability will be extended in perpetuity," said MassHousing Executive Director Thomas R. Gleason. "The property is in very good condition and Rogerson Communities has made a major commitment to providing quality affordable housing to the elderly residents who live there by working with the city of Boston to ensure the affordability there for the life of the property."

MassHousing provided a $14 million permanent loan and a $2.6 million subordinate loan. The property was originally financed by MassHousing in 1983 and the loan matured in October 2013. The owner has also renewed the 20-year Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract for 85 apartments occupied by low-income seniors and 32 apartments are regulated by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and rented to individuals with low and moderate incomes. The remaining 18 apartments are subject to a long-term lease with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for use by out-of-town patients and visitors.

The property is located at 19 Myrtle St. and is comprised of 126 studio apartments and 9 one-bedroom apartments in two semi-attached, eight-story brick and stone buildings. The property has five ground-floor commercial spaces and common facilities include an atrium, roof deck, community room, library and computer lab with professional classes for residents. The owner provides free office space to Beacon Hill Village, a service provider that assists seniors with living independently. MGH operates a community-based health promotion program and Kit Clark Senior Services runs a meals program out of the property for the Beacon Hill Community.

"Beacon House is a unique and critical source of affordable housing for senior citizens living on Beacon Hill. The neighborhood and city shared our vision and urgency of preserving in perpetuity this magnificent resource for the residents living there now and for the residents who will live there many years into the future," said Rogerson Communites Principal James F. Seagle, Jr.

About Rogerson Communities

Rogerson Communities is a non-profit organization that has been providing housing and health care for the elderly and low-income individuals since it was founded in 1860. The organization serves more than 1,500 Greater Boston families through 25 facilities and programs. Services include housing and real estate development, health and fitness and Alzheimer's and memory loss programs.

About MassHousing

MassHousing (The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed-income rental housing. MassHousing does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations, although it administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. Since its inception, MassHousing has provided more than $17 billion for affordable housing. For more information, visit the MassHousing website at www.masshousing.com, follow us on Twitter @MassHousing, subscribe to our blog and Like us on Facebook.

廣教學校暑期班"蒸“得有特色

中華廣教學校上週五（22日）以文娛表演，海報展示，慶祝本年度暑期班圓滿落幕。校長曾秀芬笑指“蒸（STEAM）“過了的學生們，視野更廣，學習力更強，

            廣教學校今年的暑期班，借用學校系統強調科學，科技，工程，數學而流行起來的STEM這個詞，加上藝術後，擴展成為“STEAM“項目，聘請了在西蒙斯大學就讀的曾祖兒，在萊斯利（Lesley）大學就讀的司徒嘉穎，在東北大學就讀的伍嘉輝，在布萊頓（Brighton）高中當物理老師的雷展涵等人，為就讀暑期班的學生，設計了很有特色的課程內容，包括教學生們認識水這物質在世界中怎麼循環存在，海洋中的水，怎樣蒸發升空，凝聚成雲，再分解成為濕氣，降落到地面，海裏，進而把教學內容從科學延伸到環境保護等。

            該校老師表示，今年的暑期班共分兩期，從六月三十日到七月廿五日，以及七月廿八日到八月廿二日，不但有英文，數學，中文，還有校外實地考察活動（field trip），選修項目。所有課程都針對“如何來到這個地步（How did we get here）”，“如何往後發展（How do we go forward）”來設計，還儘量配合公立學校九月開學後的教學內容，注重手腦併用。

            在上課之外，所有的學生每天都參加學校安排的表演藝術，繪畫，運動及思考等四種類型活動，包括唱歌劇，拉小提琴，彈揚琴、彈古箏，畫素描或水彩，水墨國畫，寫書法，創作音樂，設計機器人，打橋牌，打兵乓球，扯鈴，有很多選擇。

            在校外實地考察部分，廣教學校今年的安排更是多姿多彩，不但去圖書館，逛兒童博物館，還長途跋涉到塞冷鎮的碧波地(Peabody)館，普利茅斯種植園，茶博物館，自由徑博物館，波士頓美術博物館，麻省理工學院博物館，Drumlin農場，新英格蘭水族館，因盧梭而出名的瓦爾登湖（Walden Pond）等。

            曾秀芬今年還開辦考前輔導班，幫助要升讀重點高中或升大學的學生做準備。

圖片說明：

            廣教學校教打鼓的老師郭榮臻（右起）幫曾祖兒，司徒嘉穎，伍嘉輝，雷展涵等老師準備展覽海報。（菊子攝）