MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY PLANS TO CONTINUE WINTER RECOVERY, TRASH PICK-UP

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY PLANS TO CONTINUE WINTER RECOVERY, TRASH PICK-UP

Encourages residents to participate in Boston Shines 

BOSTON - Friday, March 13, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today outlined the City of Boston's efforts to continue snow recovery efforts and clean-up the trash left behind from the unprecedented amount of snow Boston received over a thirty day period.  This week alone, Boston's Public Works Department's overnight street sweeping crews have removed over 50 tons of trash from the streets of Boston, and the Mayor has approved 20 hokeys, who will begin on Monday to assist in trash removal efforts. 

Beginning on April 24, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services will lead the annual "Boston Shines," recruiting volunteers to tackle cleaning the streets of Boston one neighborhood at a time for three consecutive weekends. 

"This year, it's more important than ever for us to come together as one community to assist in the monumental task of cleaning up our neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh.  "I encourage all of our residents to get involved in Boston Shines as Boston continues to recover from the historic amount of snow we received." 

Residents may learn more and become involved with Boston Shines by visiting http://www.cityofboston.gov/ons/BostonShines

In 2014, the Office of Neighborhood services, working with partnership organizations, completed 295 projects in neighborhoods throughout Boston. Neighborhood Services liaisons are currently working with community members to identify projects for this year's effort. The Mayor's Office hopes to expand volunteer opportunities this year while focusing on four service areas: physical service, university engagement, youth development and  uniting neighbors and communities. 

The Public Works Department this week began District Yard street sweeping through major roadways and arteries. Posted residential street sweeping is postponed in neighborhoods with March street sweeping until curbs and gutters are free of ice and snow.  

On February 11, Public Works began proactively surveying roads to fill potholes following the heavy use of salt and snow removal equipment used on roads as a result of the snow storms. Since then, 500 tons of hot top has been used to fill over 2,100 potholes. 

With the snow continuing to melt, Boston's Parks are expected to be ready for spring. The Parks and Recreation Department are continuing to monitor athletic fields for spring sports and will be communicating to the public through social media and working with permit holders.

Over the course of 30 days, Boston experienced a historic amount of snow fall: 

• 1 billion cubic feet of snow fell on Boston’s streets last month - more than twice the amount of dirt moved during all 15 years of the Central Artery Tunnel Project.
• PWD plowed 295,000 miles of roadway—roughly 12 trips around the earth.
• PWD removed over 35,000 truckloads of snow from city streets.
• PWD melted 50,000 tons of snow at our farms.
• In addition, over 110,000 calls were received at the Mayor’s Hotline.
• The Boston Public Schools for 8 days, while keeping 14 community centers open for free childcare.
• Together, the Boston Police and Inspectional Services departments gave over 1,100 rides to nurses and emergency workers.
• The Boston Fire Department answered over 7,500 calls—46 percent more than the same period last year.
• The City's homeless shelters have been open around the clock, offering daytime services and sheltering more than 600 guests each night.

BRA unveils plan to redesign Dorchester’s Mt. Vernon Street to support multimodal transportation and alleviate traffic concerns

BRA unveils plan to redesign Dorchester’s Mt. Vernon Street to support multimodal transportation and alleviate traffic concerns

 New design embraces Boston Complete Streets principles

BOSTON – The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), consultants from McMahon Associates and Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge LLC, and other stakeholder city agencies held a community meeting Tuesday evening to unveil the preliminary design for Mt. Vernon Street on Columbia Point in Dorchester. This represents another milestone in the evolution of this important street, which is in need of a significant infrastructure upgrades. With new construction, including the Edward M. Kennedy Institute scheduled to open later this month, appearing along this stretch of roadway, the community and the city have worked together on a forward-looking streetscape design for the once blank urban canvas.

The newly redesigned Mt. Vernon Street will feature improved accommodation for bicycling, walking and automobile traffic, as well as new landscaping.  As a result of meetings held in March, May, and November 2014, BRA planners and consultants designed a functional, yet beautiful street, balancing community needs with exemplary streetscape elements that reflect Boston’s Complete Streets Guidelines.

Key features of the multimodal design include a protected bike lane at the sidewalk level near the curb, as well as wider sidewalks for pedestrians. Located between the protected bike lane and sidewalk is a landscape and furnishing zone. By separating facilities for people who walk or bike from traveling vehicles, the design of Mount Vernon Street provides a safer experience for all users. 

“Investing in protected bike lanes is crucial to elevating Boston as a cycling city on a global scale,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “The Mount Vernon Street plan creates safe avenues for multimodal transportation and beautifies the streetscape so that it’s much more welcoming for residents and visitors."

Following the public meeting, BRA Senior Urban Designer Corey Zehngebot expressed enthusiasm about the strategic vision embraced by community members, institutions, and businesses on Columbia Point.

“This planning process allowed us to bring together diverse stakeholders and to understand both the challenges and opportunities associated with Mount Vernon Street” said Corey. “The design was reworked several times to reflect comments from the community, but the end result truly sets the bar for excellence in streetscape design.”

The existing pedestrian environment of Columbia Point is not conducive to the type of urban vitality and neighborhood interactions that residents desire. Moreover, the peninsula itself is disconnected from greater Dorchester by Interstate 93, though it has excellent access to the Harborwalk.

A survey of existing conditions and an extensive traffic analysis revealed a key insight. The potential of Mt. Vernon Street was constrained by points of congestion at Kosciuszko Circle, the Interstate 93 access ramps, and Morrissey Boulevard. Consequently, the design includes 4 vehicular travel lanes at Morrissey Boulevard where vehicular traffic is heaviest. Where traffic volumes are significantly lighter, the travel lanes are reduced to two, one in each direction. At many points throughout the street, a third, turning lane is included. The improved layout will allow Mt. Vernon Street’s traffic to move more efficiently.

Upon completion of 25% design, development of the final 100% design will be overseen by the Boston Public Works Department (DPW) in collaboration with Boston Transportation Department (BTD), the Boston Water & Sewer Commission(BWSC), the Parks Department, the State of MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the BRA.  During the 100% design phase, detailed engineering drawings are prepared for construction. 

MAYOR WALSH JOINS NATIONAL PARK SERVICES DIRECTOR JARVIS TO LAUNCH OBAMA ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVE TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

MAYOR WALSH JOINS NATIONAL PARK SERVICES DIRECTOR JARVIS TO LAUNCH OBAMA ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVE TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Boston selected as one of first 10 Cities to Implement Initiative 

 BOSTON - Friday, March 13, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined National Parks Services Director Jonathan Jarvis in Boston to officially launch a nationwide U.S. Department of Interior effort to increase awareness, support and participation in outdoor programs. The effort is a partnership with the YMCA of the USA and funded through a $5 million commitment from American Express to help the Department reach its goal of one million volunteers on public lands annually.

Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, Boston's parks are cleaner, safer, more lively, and more accessible than ever. Last year the City renovated 16 neighborhood parks, from a new tot lot at Billings Field in West Roxbury to a soccer field in Lopresti Park in East Boston.   97 percent of Bostonians live within a 10-minute walk of a park—making Boston number one in the nation in access to parks.

"This initiative speaks to our shared goals for Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "Working together, we will encourage more children to play, learn, serve, and work outside.  Here in the City of Boston, we are committed to giving our young adults the best opportunities to succeed."  

The initiative will create a community coordinator position in Boston to engage young people in the outdoors and will allow the City to join the YMCA in hosting a community-wide summit to bring together stakeholders committed to these goals.

“Children across our nation are increasingly disconnected from nature, yet playing outside and learning about the natural world is fun, healthy and builds confidence in kids.  Likewise, engaging volunteers of all ages in caring for parks and public lands not only leverages public resources, it builds pride and a connection to these special places that stays with people forever,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.  “Boston is blessed with parks and national public lands close by, and a strong network of public and nonprofit leaders committed to getting kids outdoors, active and connected to nature.  Through the 50 Cities Initiative, with the financial support of American Express and community connections of the YMCA, we are nurturing a movement to foster the next generation of leaders and outdoor stewards while helping people connect to the public lands in their community – particularly in urban areas like Boston.”

The nationwide efforts will help leverage resources and support the goals of President Obama’s “Every Kid in a Park” initiative that was launched in February that will provide all fourth grade students and their families with free admission to national parks and other public lands and waters for a full year.  In the lead up to the 100th birthday of the National Park Service in 2016, the President’s “Every Kid in a Park” initiative is a call to action to get all children to visit and enjoy America’s great outdoors.

“Community service and historic preservation have a long heritage at American Express,” said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation. “Since our founding more than 160 years ago, American Express has seen how America’s parks and public lands contribute to our sense of national and local identity, and we are proud to lead an effort to mobilize a new generation of volunteers to protect, conserve and revitalize America’s public lands and treasured national parks.”

"Connecting children to open space is vital to the health and vitality of our comprehensive Parks system, said Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook.  "The Boston Parks and Recreation Department looks forward to its continued partnership with the National Park Service to provide access and equity to all Boston's residents."

"The YMCA of Greater Boston is excited to partner with the city of Boston and the National Park Service," said Kelley Rice, YMCA of Greater Boston spokesperson. " Play, Learn, Serve and Work is a tremendous opportunity to engage community partners and Y members to connect in service to the community.  In the near future, The YMCA of Greater Boston will convene a community-based summit, bringing together private, public and nonprofit partners with expertise in conservation, recreation and education to identify opportunities to increase service on public lands."

Governor Baker Requests $200 Million in Chapter 90 Transportation Funds for Municipalities

Governor Baker Requests $200 Million in Chapter 90 Transportation Funds for Municipalities

H.D. 3712 will provide local support for road, bridges, infrastructure improvements

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker has filed H.D. 3712, “An Act Financing Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges,” to allocate $200 million in Chapter 90 transportation funds to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns for local transportation infrastructure improvements.

“After keeping our promise to release additional transportation funding shortly after taking office, we are proud to continue our commitment to Massachusetts’ cities and towns with an additional investment for the upcoming construction season,” said Governor Baker. “The access to flexible funding for transportation improvements is essential to our municipalities’ ability to provide for reliable infrastructure, public safety, new job opportunities and a growing economy, and I hope the legislature will take swift action to see these investments become a reality.”

The Baker-Polito administration released $100 million in budgeted Chapter 90 transportation funds on their first day in office, which with the passage of this legislation, would make $300 million in funding available for the 2015 construction season. Chapter 90 funding is issued by municipality and predetermined by a formula that includes factors such as population, road miles and employment.

“This winter has been especially hard on our cities’ and towns’ infrastructure, and as we enter another construction season, Governor Baker and I believe in providing dependable support for both short and long-term improvements needed to improve our local transportation networks,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “In addition to the increases to local aid committed in our Fiscal Year 2016 budget, these investments in transportation are a part of our administration’s ongoing partnership with local government.”

Chapter 90 reimburses cities and towns for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects. Cities and towns must submit receipts to the MassDOT Highway Division district in which they are located which verifies that the expenditures qualify for reimbursement under Chapter 90. The Highway Districts in turn submit these receipts to the Department of Transportation’s Fiscal Department which facilitates the reimbursements to cities and towns. Funding for Chapter 90 is accomplished through the issuance of bonds.

More information about the Chapter 90 Program is available here:http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/stateaid01a&sid=about

美中藥協慶新春 小品調侃時事 3/21辦研討會

紐英崙美中醫藥開發協會日前在華森市慶祝羊年新春，不下八十人歡聚一堂，享美食，發紅包，欣賞歌舞，演奏，小品的至少十六項節目，預報三月廿一日開職業發展研討會，接受學子申請獎學金，欣喜十分。

            紐英崙美中藥協（SAPANE）今年的新春聯歡會，原本訂在二月十四日的情人節舉行，想不到大波士頓今年天氣反常，那段日子暴風雪不斷，只得延期。

            日前在華森市劍橋中國文化中心補辦時，所有的表演節目在孫天霄總導演，程騁主持，陳大鵬，馬偉軍，趙君，龍江等人策劃下，仍有圓滿演出。

            在波士頓元極舞聯誼會演出等的眾多節目中，木蘭藝術團的“小萍果”舞蹈，馬田由的古箏獨奏“秦桑曲”，龍江吉他彈唱“那些花兒”，鄧雅雯女聲獨唱“時間都去哪兒了”等，各有特色，都博得熱烈掌聲。

            孫天霄，馬偉軍，趙南丁，程騁等四人演出的小品“新聞聯播”是當天的壓軸節目之一，既有打扮造型當謎面的猜謎，模仿費玉清，劉德華，張學友，騰格爾等四名歌星的演唱，還拿時事做文章。

            孫天霄把紅色運動短褲穿在西褲外上場，沒幾秒鐘就讓觀眾猜出來是影射人稱“大褲叉”的央視大樓。

            串場講話的說新聞聯播是個以上半身為主的節目，帶出“下半身有領導管”的回應；電視連續劇“武媚娘“停播後又復播，印證”胸“多吉少這道理；這些意在言外的對話，都讓人忍不住笑。

            孫天霄編的這小品，還把馬年裏的許多網絡流行語，都調侃了一番，包括“有錢任性“，英文翻譯成”rich and bitch“；”且行且珍惜“在文章出軌後被妻子馬伊俐引作回應語；化緣改叫眾籌，八卦小報改叫自媒體，耳機改叫可穿載設備，網上存文件叫做雲計算，統計改叫大數據，辦公室出租改叫孵化器，借錢給朋友改叫天使投資，放高利貸改叫資本運作。

            謔談時事時，他們還把哈佛大學錄取新生，有族裔差別待遇這事，拿來談，指1922年哈佛校長Lawrence Lowell怕猶太裔入侵，硬把當年佔22%的猶太裔入學率壓低到15%。近年來，壓抑對象換了，變成亞裔要SAT分數平均比白人高140分，才有同等錄取機會。

            美中藥協會長趙南丁扮演日本首相安倍晉三接受訪問那段，調侃了安倍晉三簽署中日戰略互惠關係條約後，言行不一，在釣魚島歸屬問題上顧左右而言他，不承認擱置爭議的共識等情形。

            這場節目豐富的新春慶祝會，最後在該會女高音趙潔一曲宋祖英的“幸福人間”歌聲中落幕。

圖片說明：

            美中醫藥開發協會紐英崙分會幹部，左起陳敏，鄧潔，陳大鵬，龍江，趙南丁，孫天霄（右一）等人在表演結束後謝謝大家出席。（菊子攝）

            孫天霄（左），馬偉軍（右）在新聞聯播中表演。（菊子攝）

            程騁（右）訪問，馬偉軍（中）翻譯，趙南丁扮安倍晉三，還真的說日語。（菊子攝）

趙潔演唱“幸福人間”。（菊子攝）

            青少年馬田由（右二）表演節目後，當義工，為出席者夾菜。（菊子攝）

  波士頓元極舞成員應邀表演。（菊子攝）

            美中藥協會長趙南丁（右）等人會後發紅包給小朋友。（菊子攝）

            美中藥協的活動也有西人朋友參加。（菊子攝）

            

          

藝聯慈善社慶新春 憶過往 向前看

波士頓藝聯慈善社日前（三月九日）在龍鳳大酒樓慶祝羊年新春，四百多名賓客一整晚銧籌交錯，歌舞不歇，不但有星樂隊助陣，還請財神出馬送元寶，歡喜非常。

            藝聯慈善社是大波士頓內老資格，也最特別的僑團之一，當年成員全是新移民，其中不少人還真有如今年二月四日開始在美國電視網ABC聯播的電視劇，當年是“新鮮下船（Fresh Off the Boat）”。

            元老文振賢和中文書記陳廉，當晚在司儀黃愛梅主持，該社主席鄭慧民，副主席黃賢池先後致歡迎詞，答謝詞之間，向出席社員及嘉賓報告該社創辦始末，指出1953年時，一批海員下船，在波士頓定居，但他們既無身份，也無家人，在人不親土親之下，互相扶持，彼此幫助，逐漸結黨成社。1970年後，許多經該社幫助，順利在波士頓站穩腳步的華人同胞，慷慨回饋，藝聯慈善社於是不但有了屬於自己的樓宇，還在佛士曉（Forest Hill）墳場買下一座山頭，讓在美國這異域隕歿的同胞，有個葬身之地。

            經過時代變遷，如今的新移民求助，多半直接找社會福利機構，該社成員在年事漸高中，逐漸凋零。本身是藝聯慈善社第二代的社長鄭慧民坦言，由於藝聯慈善社本是個以幫助新移民為宗旨得有意義機構，如今時代有變，他們的營運方式也應有別，正在努力轉型，招徠更多年輕人，希望能為華人社區做更多有意義的事。

藝聯慈善社慶新春當晚，有不少嘉賓到會，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，副處長陳銘俊，波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文，紐英崙中華公所主席之外，去年到會的薩福克郡治安官湯普金（Steven W. Tompkins)，波士頓市議員提多傑克遜（Tito Jackson），不但出席，還和藝聯元老，幹部們大合唱，霎時炒熱了節慶氣氛。

麻州州務卿威廉蓋文（William Galvin）的弟弟約翰，當晚做代表，送上表揚狀。

            慶祝會上有華林派舞獅獻桔，甄若矛率領的星樂隊演唱“恭喜你”，“迎春花”，“財神到”等新春歌曲，財神爺逐桌送上利是糖，還奉上新年紅包給中華廣教學校，中華耆英會，中華頤養院，僑立中文學校，以及紐英崙中華總會等五個機構。

圖片說明：

            約翰蓋文（右二）代表他哥哥，麻州州務卿威廉蓋文，送上表揚狀。藝聯慈善社社長鄭慧民（左二），副社長黃賢池（左一）代表該社接受。右為司儀黃愛梅。（圖由殷先彬提供）

            藝聯慈善社社長鄭慧民（右四），副社長黃賢池（左四）等人敬酒。右一為司儀黃愛梅。（圖由殷先彬提供）

            星樂隊的歌手們，曹勇（右一），趙寶玲（中）等人獻唱。（圖由殷先彬提供）

            經文處處長賴銘琪致詞。（圖由殷先彬提供）

中華頤養院金杏濱教耆英注意飲食運動保健

中華頤養院日前請該院餐飲部主管金杏濱為“營養早餐講座系列”主講，教人如何藉由調整飲食，適度運動來讓身體更健康，也藉以貫徹該院繼續服務波士頓社區的承諾。

中華頤養院遷往昆士市後，為繼續服務住在大波士頓的民眾，特地借公路村大樓社區室，把“營養早餐講座”系列保留在波士頓內，以示該院的仍然心掛波士頓居民。

中華頤養院承辦“營養早餐講座系列”的殷先彬當天擔任活動主持，介紹金杏濱是該院元老，已服務三十餘年，每年要為該院居民搭配、準備十五萬份餐點，三十年下來，已做了不下四百五十萬份，數量驚人。出席居民聽後熱烈鼓掌，肅然起敬。

研究營養餐多年後，金杏濱對人們應該如何保持身體健康，認識深入。他指出，想要身體健康的人，就得注意兩件事，一是飲食，一是運動。

金杏濱還以“研究中國（Study China）“這本書指出，中國人和美國人因為飲食習慣不同，健康問題也有很大差異。中國人得肝癌，胃癌的多，美國人得多發性乳腺癌，心臟病的多。美國人肥胖的多，也是因為飲食中所含脂肪量過高。

至於癌症，和黃麴黴素很有關係。如果攝取的蛋白質過多，同時又攝入了黃麴黴素，患癌症的機率馬上大增。

至於運動，金杏濱建議老人家們可以做簡單的“金雞獨立“動作，一天三次，一次只要廿秒，就可以達到鍛鍊身體平衡，運動腦部，上肢，腹部及腿部肌肉的作用。他還示範了平地撐運動，指出那是近年相當流行的鍛鍊方式，想要身體健康的人，可以每天也做三十秒這運動。

圖片說明：

            金杏濱在營養早餐講座系列中，分享保持身體健康做法。（圖由中華頤養院提供）

綠茵苑（One Greenway）接受申請

Hi all,

Hope you are doing well.  One Greenway is located on 66 Hudson Street, Boston Chinatown.  It will be finished in July, 2015.  It provides 95 affordable rental units.  The applications will be started from March 30^th to April 24^th .    Please refer to the attachments. 

Two information sessions will be held in Metropolitan community room, 38 Oak Street, Boston in April.

1)      Saturday, April 4 at 9:30am

2)      Wednesday, April 8^th at 6pm

If you are interested, please come to the information sessions to find out more.  Thanks.

僑務委員會「2015年烘焙製作班」四月截止報名

僑務委員會「2015年烘焙製作班」

一、            研習目的：為應海外僑胞創業及轉業之需求，規劃適合在海外創業之烘培糕點製作專業課程，以協助僑胞厚植相關專業技能及提升經營事業之能力，並促進與國內業者之商機交流。

二、       研習時間：2015年5月25日至6月5日

三、       報名截止日期：2015年4月10日

四、       報到及研習地點：弘光科技大學

五、        電子檔請至全球僑商服務網「www.ocbn.org.tw /首頁/最新訊息」下載，並請以正楷填寫或繕打。或洽波士頓華僑文教中心以索取資料617-965-8801,  email:ocacbostonlib@gmail.com