邦克丘社區學院響應總統號召為學生提供更多機會完成大專學業

邦克丘（Bunker Hill）社區學院校長余慕潔（Pam Eddinger） 昨（四）日應邀參加第三屆“白宮大專院校機會行動日”，和美國總統奧巴馬（Obama）夫婦，副總統拜登（Biden）一起宣佈幫助更多學生上大學，畢業的行動。

            邦克丘社區學院為此承諾，研究設立一個大學預科高中，鋪設科技通道（STEM Pathway），把社區，企業的關鍵環節連結起來，藉以鼓吹從高中畢業，完成大專院校學業，並發展企業人力。

            該校還將擴大校內的學習並領薪的實習項目，藉著和商業及工業界領袖合作，評估該項目的學生成就和職業準備程度。

            余慕潔表示，該校一月時在白宮許下承諾，現已有進展。他們和大波士頓教育界人士創辦了一個六年的教育通道，給學生機會取得高中文憑及副學士學位，一旦畢業，還有機會獲得工作。

            白宮要求參加這項目者在四個領域之一作出承諾，包括圍繞著鼓勵完成學院打造大學院校網路；為上大學做準備的設立幼稚園到時六年級的合作關係；根據第一夫人的獲得更高教育計畫投資近高中輔導員；增加在科學，技術，工程及數學（STEM）領域的大專畢業生。

            奧巴馬總統為支持這些行動所宣佈的新步驟包括，撥款一千萬元推廣完成大專學校，撥款三千萬元給美國公司（AmeriCorps）來改善低收入學生上大學的機會。

這第二屆大專院校機會行動日還公佈今年一月十四日採取行動以來的進展報告。

目前，低收入家庭子女，只有百分之九在廿五歲以前取得學士學位，但高收入家庭卻有百分之五十四。

奧巴馬政府為增加人們上大學的機會，已把 Pell 獎學金增至一千元一年，設立了在大學四年期間價值一萬元的“美國機會抵稅優惠（American Opportunity Tax Credit），把學生貸款的還款額限制在收入的百分之十以內，還推出了及有野心的縮減大學開支，推廣創新及競賽的計畫。

華埠文化會建議綠路一號內設圖書館

波士頓華埠居民會（CRA）三日晚召開月會，塔芙茨醫療中心報告建生化實驗室進展，華人前進會報告社區穩定狀況。

塔芙茨大學醫學院的John Leong當晚出席，表示二年前他就到華埠居民會上報告了該中心籌建肺結核（TB）實驗室，以及會怎麼建造。

由於世界有三分之一的人口都染有TB菌，包括當晚出席的另一名醫師Thorpe的祖母。亞裔人口受影響的更多，例如他外婆。但TB這種病很難治，不同種類的細菌不斷衍生，醫生就得不斷找新方法來治療。

塔大醫學院打算在該校夏利臣街上，現有研究大樓中的亞諾（Arnold）樓八樓，建亞諾肺結核實驗室，佔地約1700平方呎。

John Leong重述了實驗室工作都將在保證安全的情況下進行研究，將嚴格遵守波士頓市府及公共衛生局的監管要點。他們也在一年半前聘請了獲得兩個重要獎項的Bree Aldridge來協助相關事務。

為了讓社區民眾放心，該校還在兩年前組成委員會，邀請了中華耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬，亞美社區發展協會行政主任陳潔瑩等七人出任委員。Thrope醫師並在會上表示，社區內任何人有興趣加入該委員會，他們都歡迎。該實驗室將做哪些肺結核病實驗或研究，將由委員會決定。

最近該中心在因應“伊波拉（Ebola）”病毒上做了絕佳準備。

Thrope醫師在回應華埠居民會共同主席余仕昂的擔憂該實驗室對社區有潛在危險時表示，實驗室沒有窗戶，又設在頂樓，不怕淹水。John Leong醫師則指出，波士頓市內共有12個這樣的實驗室，都嚴格遵循頗市府公共衛生局的規定。塔醫也將每年一次舉行生化安全委員會會議，下一次的會議將於十二月十日（週三）下午五點，在夏利臣街150號舉行。

華人前進會的陳玉珍當晚報告了“穩定華埠運動“近況。她指出，波士頓市長馬丁華殊承諾過，要改善華埠，如果華埠眾人關心華埠的未來，就應該為社區做決定，更頻繁的參加市政府公聽會。

一月十四日時，華人前進會將舉辦社區土地信託會議。

華人前進會行政主任駱理德也就華埠文化委員會做了最新概況報告。他表示，和市府討論華埠文化中心時，社區代表們表達了在24號地段設置一個社區圖書館的意願，該委員會和波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）合作，會晤了波士頓公共圖書館主任。他們目前的計劃是在華埠圖書館聘請一名全職的圖書館員，並在將座落於“綠路一號（也就是24號地段）“上的華埠文化中心內開辦一個臨時圖書館，

波士頓市政府建議在地鐵華埠站對面的中華貿易大樓內，開設一個永久的圖書館。當晚出席者都贊成這一計畫。

圖片說明：

        華埠居民會共同主席余仕昂（左四），梅陳月嫦（右五）和陳丹心（右二）等執委，以及華人前進會的駱理德（右六），陳玉珍（右一）等人合影。（圖由華埠居民會提供，殷先彬攝）

            塔醫的John Leong醫師（右二）等人到華埠居民會報告。（圖由華埠居民會提供，殷先彬攝）

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACE GRANTS TO SUPPORT CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACE GRANTS TO SUPPORT CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN MASSACHUSETTS 

BOSTON - Thursday, December 4, 2014 - Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki and MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones today announced that the New Bedford Economic Development Council (EDC) and Gateway City Arts (GCA) in Holyoke are the first recipients of 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. 

"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."

The collaborative workspace grants provide for-profit and nonprofit entities with the funds necessary to start, sponsor and operate collaborative workspace environments that promote innovation, creativity and interaction between and among tenants. Through this program, the collaborative workspace proposals can access a pool of $2 million in matching grants for building improvements, fit-out, equipment procurement and the expansion or renovation of existing spaces.

"The Transformative Development Initiative and TDI Cowork Grants support the creative forces in Gateway Cities that fuel growth through multi-sector collaboration," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. "Both the New Bedford EDC and Gateway City Arts in Holyoke can catalyze business innovation through the establishment of co-working labs and makerspaces."

The New Bedford EDC and the co-working operating company Groundworks, LLC received a $150,000 grant for interior fit-out costs, accessibility compliance and professional fees associated with the creation of a 4,000 square foot co-working space that will bring new activity to a currently underutilized building in the historic Quest Center, creating strong ties between the residential neighborhoods and downtown New Bedford. Workspace amenities will include open desk seating, sharable conference room and equipment. Special events will encourage cross-sector collaboration and networking; programs will also be offered in Spanish and Portuguese. The location of this co-working space, anticipated to be open by the second quarter of 2015, will complement the existing activity at the Quest Center Business Incubator, which connects businesses with financing, planning and counseling tools.

"I am pleased that the Patrick Administration and MassDevelopment recognize the value in making catalytic investments such as this to encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in urban centers like New Bedford," said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. "New Bedford will use the funding to support a project to create a well-designed, functional co-working space in an unfinished area of a City-owned business incubator managed by the New Bedford Economic Development Council."

GCA of Holyoke will receive a $5,000 seed grant to enhance its existing program by growing a community of makers who will transform ideas into prototypes, refine collaborative work equipment and programming needs and develop the business plan for expansion. These funds will support GCA in creating a sustainable makerspace program that will provide its members with access to an Innovation Resource Network and extend GCA's reach to surrounding communities.

"An Act to Promote Economic Growth in the Commonwealth," signed by Governor Patrick in August, provided for the creation of a Gateway Cities Transformative Development Fund, which will bring growth and opportunity to Gateway Cities by enabling equity investments and technical assistance to support transformative development in these communities. MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development agency, is tasked with managing the various components of the Fund as part of the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI).

"This is another great example of how Holyoke is abuzz with innovative and entrepreneurial activities in our downtown," said Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse. "I congratulate GCA on its effort to make a democratized maker space, available to stakeholders throughout Holyoke and beyond, and thank MassDevelopment for its great work to provide this assistance."

Interested parties can still apply for TDI Cowork grants via a rolling application process with information available 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 FY2014, MassDevelopment financed or managed 314 projects generating investment of more than $2.9 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are expected to create more than 6,300 jobs and build or rehabilitate more than 1,600 residential units.

Mayor Walsh invites Boston’s older adults to call family and friends all over the world for free

Mayor Walsh invites Boston’s older adults to call family and friends all over the world for free

Celebrating a 19-year partnership with AT&T

BOSTON –  To kick off the holiday season, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with AT&T, has invited Boston residents 60 years of age and older to visit City Hall and call family and friends living all over the world free of charge. 

On Friday, December 5, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., callers will be dialing their loved ones in the Piemonte and Curly rooms at Boston City Hall on the 5^th floor. Callers have been required to reserve a time but there is still room for walk-ins. Veteran’s from the New England Center for Homeless Veterans have been invited to stop by and make their phone calls. 

Callers are provided with 60 minutes to call as many people as they want, anywhere in the world. In past years, 250 callers have made calls to over 35 countries.  

“Having family in Ireland myself, I know that especially at this time of year it is hard to be away from family,” said Mayor Walsh.  “Therefore, we find that giving people this opportunity to connect with friends and family from their home country is priceless.”

“This event is one of my favorite happenings each holiday season,” said Patricia Jacobs, President of AT&T, New England. “AT&T is thrilled to contribute the technology and the resources to connect family and friends around the world with Boston’s older residents.”

“Even in this era of social media and online connectivity many people don’t have opportunity to connect with loved ones abroad,” said Elderly Commissioner Emily Shea.  “This is a real opportunity for Boston’s older adults to talk to family and friends from their home country.” 

This event is sponsored by AT&T and is organized in partnership with the City’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly.  Senior callers enjoy transportation to and from City Hall, a delicious breakfast and lunch, and an hour of quality time on the phone with family and friends.  AT&T installs 48 phone lines and organizes 20 volunteers who make the day a success. AT&T has hosted this event for 19 years as a part of their commitment to build strong, connected and thriving communities.

Wah Lum Student Fundraiser 12/ 7

年關近盜賊出 警察呼籲小心財物露白

波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強（Ken Fong）昨（三）日在華埠治安委員會月會中提醒民眾，年關將近，偷盜增多，平時應小心門戶，停洎車輛時也別讓財物露白，惹起賊心。

            昨日的治安委員會議，改在天滿街333號的圓形教堂舉行，並無大事。陳情案之一是騰皇閣東主李衛新報告，將整修騰皇閣，改名“大上海”，預計明年推出一家全新的上海菜餐廳，從早上八點起提供早餐，將聘請真正的上海大廚掌鑊，來自香港的名建築師做室內設計，目前正在申請全酒牌。

            鄺志強以統計指出，和去年同期相比，犯罪數量大減，唯一增多的是汽車偷盜。過去三十天內，華埠一帶發生了兩宗搶劫案，十四宗盜竊案，以及十一宗從汽車內偷盜財物案。有一輛汽車被拖吊，警方開出49張車輛違規罰單，以及237張停車違規罰單。

            鄺志強在報告時指出，其中一宗搶劫案頗為特別。一對夫妻被搶後，有兩名流浪漢趨前協助，還能說出名字的幫警察辨認搶匪身份，讓警方得以迅速逮捕嫌犯。

            根據警方報告，十一月十八日時，A-1區警察持搜索令在華埠夏利臣街（Harrison)和愛丁保羅街（Edinboro）的兩個地點進行搜查。

            鄺志強昨日透露，愛丁保羅街附近出現妓女，老鴇，警方已做偵查，但並未逮捕任何人。根據警方資料，那些妓女其實都是受害者。

            波士頓華人佈道會牧師陳卓明也提出，某個週日早上十一點左右，在教堂附近糕餅店旁，竟有人在車內口交。教會教友聽聞此事，都很震驚。希望警方加強掃蕩這種行為。

            大同村物業管理經理翁麗芳昨日也在會中指稱，大同村靠馬津尼路（Marginal)一帶的籬笆，經常有人塗鴉。早上經過該一地段，也常看見滿地不堪入目的物品，希望警方能協助處理。

            鄺志強指出，大同村可洽請市政府協助用強力沖水機沖洗。

            住在橡木街上的梅大衛，請警方巡邏時加強關注附近的夜間非法停車問題。

            會中，塔芙茨大學社區關係主任魯貝（Barbara Rubel）報告，該校和塔一的生物安全委員會將於十二月十日（週三）下午五點半，在夏利臣街150號Behrakis禮堂130室，舉行社區會議，報告生物實驗室相關事宜。華埠主街經理何藹茵報告，今年的波士頓市長聖誕列車，將於十二月五日（週五）下午六點十五分開到波士頓華埠的夏利臣街和益士石街交口。

          

圖片說明：

            波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強（Ken Fong）在華埠治安委員會中籲民眾小心別讓財物露白。（菊子攝）

            波士頓華埠治安會議昨日在圓形教堂內舉行。（菊子攝）

            波士頓華人佈道會牧師陳卓明（左二）報告華埠街道出現的狀況。（菊子攝）

            騰皇閣東主李衛新（立者）報告，將在騰皇閣舊址開張“大上海”餐廳。（菊子攝）

查理貝克內閣再添一人

麻州候任州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）內閣人選再添一名麻州議員。昨（三）日傳出，民主黨籍的麻州眾議員卡羅貝索（Carlo Basile）將出任秘書長（chief secretary）。

            現年四十三歲，從2007年起當選為轄區包括東波士頓的麻州眾議員的卡羅貝索，畢業於薩福克大學，2002年擔任麻州汽車監理處（Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles）幕僚長，目前是東波士頓青年會董事，也是麻州議會內的退伍軍人及聯邦事務委員會主席。

            他的“秘書長”一職，必須處理局會董事聘任，也為州長和麻州議會搭橋聯繫。

            維基百科上關於卡羅貝索的介紹很少。

            波士頓環球報指麻州候任州長查理貝克在挑選內閣人選時，帶有他的前任上司，麻州前州長威廉威爾德（William Weld）的影子，指派了多名民主黨人擔任重要的內閣職位，包括他的幕僚長Steven Kadish，經濟及住宅顧問Jay Ash等。

            卡羅貝索是查理貝克指派入閣的第二名麻州眾議員。另一人為被指派為能源及環境事務長的麻州眾議員畢頓（Matt Beaton）。