柬埔寨移民將為波士頓華埠社區聯盟跑馬拉松

今年的波士頓馬拉松賽已定四月廿日舉行。住在羅爾市（Lowell）的Chintra Kimkhnal（左）將在贊助該比賽的約翰漢考克（John Hancock）集團支持下，參加這一賽事，為波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）籌款。

            她訂定的籌款目標是一萬一千元。

            當年是柬埔寨難民，二歲時來到美國的Chintra Kimkhnal，在Beverly開了一家橘指甲沙龍（Orange Nail Studio）。她很欣賞波士頓華埠社區中心為移民提供的服務。她說，“我知道在試著保存自己的文化之際，要融合進美國社會的那種掙扎。現在我長大了，是我回饋社區，造福那些讓我想起當年自己的年輕人的時候”。

            羅爾市長 Rodney M. Elliott，以及麻州眾議員，也是麻州首名柬埔寨裔州議員的 Rady Mom（右）日前都出席了Chintra Kimkhnal舉辦的一場籌款會。該活動共籌得三千三百元。（圖片由BCNC提供）

RED SOX OPENING DAY CEREMONIES AT FENWAY PARK TO BEGIN AT 2:30 P.M. ON MONDAY

 

RED SOX OPENING DAY CEREMONIES AT FENWAY PARK

TO BEGIN AT 2:30 P.M. ON MONDAY

 “Calling All Kids” will Provide a Presence of Children;

More Than 39,000 Have Joined Red Sox Kid Nation Presented by Hood;

Fans are Urged to Take the T or Commuter Rail and Come Early

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox will present their Opening Day Ceremonies before their 115^thhome season, and their 104^th at Fenway Park, this Monday, April 13, starting at approximately 2:30 p.m.  The team then plays the Washington Nationals at 3:05 p.m.  This year marks the first time that the Nats have ever opposed the Red Sox in the home opener.

Before engaging in an interleague battle, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines, with participation from children.  “Calling All Kids” is a season-long theme this year.

With Hanscom Air Force Base presenting the colors, a children’s choir will perform the national anthem, punctuated by a fly-over of two F-16 fighter jets from the 158th Fighter Squadron from Burlington, Vermont’s Air National Guard (“The Green Mountain Boys”).

The Ceremonial First Pitch will pay tribute to a high point of an otherwise long, cold, and snowy winter, followed by the declaration to “Play Ball,” presented by Target.

Fenway Park gates will open two hours before the game on Monday.  For the rest of the season, gates open 1 ½ hours before game time.  Season ticket holders and Red Sox Nation members may enter at Gate C 2 ½ hours before each game.

To comply with Major League Baseball Stadium Operations Practices for the 2015 season, and to enhance security and expedite screenings at the gates, fans will walk through new metal detectors at every gate.  Fans will remove cell phones, cameras, and other large metal objects before walking through the metal detectors.  Fans do not need to remove smaller objects, such as wallets, coins, keys, jewelry, eyeglasses, shoes, and belts.

Children 14 and under are invited to enter via the new Gate K (for Kids) near Gate B, a gateway to the new Kids Concourse.  From the 3^rd through the 7^th innings, the new Wally’s Clubhouse will offer an in-game play area for children. 

This year, the Red Sox waived the entry fee into their children’s fan club.  So far, more than 39,000 fans 14 and under have signed up to join Red Sox Kid Nation presented by Hood.

Inside the turnstiles, fans of all ages will have new menu options.  On Yawkey Way, Aramark has invested in a fresh look for their concession stands and new menu items, including the new “Taste of Boston” stand which will feature neighborhood cuisine from 12 different local restaurants that will rotate throughout the season. The club worked with Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office to choose the small businesses that will be featured this season.

Nachos will be served in life-sized Red Sox helmets inside Gates C and E, and roast beef and turkey panini sandwiches will be available in both the left and right field concourses.  Meatball Obsession, the official meatball of the Boston Red Sox, will debut a new stand in the Kids Concourse near Wally’s Clubhouse with their popular turkey or beef meatballs served in a cup.  And a new kids meal for $5 – available in the Kids Concourse – will feature a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Goldfish, and a small juice.

The refurbished Budweiser Brew House in right field, operated by Aramark, will offer a host of new drink and food items in the newly expanded bar and lounge seating areas, including Bacon & Apple Salad, Truffle Parmesan Fries, Chorizo and Manchego Croquettes, Brew House Flatbread, Pastrami Sliders, Fish Tacos, and authentic Lobster Rolls. The Budweiser Brew House is now open to all ticketed patrons.

At all concession stands at Fenway Park, fans will have an opportunity to support the Red Sox Foundation through their new “It Makes Sense to Give 50 Cents” campaign. Aramark employees will take 50 cent donations from fans who wish to add that sum to their concession tab.  

The 3^rd Base Deck in the left field upper level concourse will now be known as the Ketel One Vodka 3^rd Base Deck. The bar will feature Ketel One Vodka products and branding throughout. 

The Red Sox urge fans to use public transportation to Fenway Park.  In addition to taking the popular T to Kenmore Square, the commuter rail trains arrive at Yawkey Station, just 511 feet from the doorstep of Fenway Park.  Yawkey Station is part of the commuter rail’s Framingham/Worcester line, which runs from Worcester to South Station.

The last outbound commuter rail train from Yawkey Station departs at 11:36 p.m. on weekdays and 11:10 p.m. on weekends. Departure times for the last Yawkey Station train are subject to change based on the length of the game.  These trains offer as many as 48 regularly scheduled stops every weekday.  For more commuter rail information, visit mbta.com.

College Democrats of Massachusetts Gather for Annual Convention

College Democrats of Massachusetts Gather for Annual Convention

Students from across MA will meet at Tufts University on Saturday, April 11th

Boston--The College Democrats of Massachusetts (CDM), the official collegiate arm of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, will hold its annual convention on Saturday April 11th at Tufts University, in Sophia Gordon Hall. The meeting of over one hundred active members is an opportunity for college Democrats from across the commonwealth to come together to reflect on past success, hear from prominent Democratic leaders, and plan progressive policy goals for the year ahead.

“From supporting the efforts of Democrats across the commonwealth this past November to lobbying the State House to pass three different progressive pieces of legislation, the College Democrats of Massachusetts have played an unprecedented role in Massachusetts politics this year,” said CDM president Marvin McMoore, “Saturday’s convention is all about keeping up that momentum and planning for the year ahead.”

Student leaders will hear from Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA6), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA5) and Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA7), as well as Senator Tom McGee and Nicole LaChapelle, the Chair and Treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, respectively. Other featured speakers include President of Field First Strategies, Carl Nilsson; Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s Field Services, Patrick Sheridan-Rossi; and former Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh. Other elected officials, including Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Representative Evandro Carvalho, Representative Brian Mannal, Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim, and New Bedford City Councilor Dana Rebeiro will also address convention delegates. Our speaking series will begin at 10:45am, and all press is welcome to attend.

"I am so excited that a year's worth of unprecedented advocacy from College Democrats in the Commonwealth will be celebrated with the attendance of so many activists, politicians, and professionals,” said CDM Vice President Chelsea Carrier, “We cannot wait to learn from our guest speakers and panelists about how we can continue to move progressive policies forward in Massachusetts."

Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend two different panels discussing subjects of direct importance to college students interested in learning more about the political process and  pursuing political careers upon graduation. Hacks and Flacks: A Panel on Politics and the Press, will feature Mike Deehan, Statehouse News Service Reporter; Matt Stout, Boston Herald Reporter; Kate Norton, Vice President of Communications at CK Strategies; and Bonnie McGilpin, Press Secretary forBoston Mayor Marty Walsh. The second panel, Finding the Dirt: A Panel on the Practice and Ethics of Political Research, will include Jacob Wessel, Massachusetts Democrat Party Researcher; Tom Ryan, a former researcher for President Obama’s reelection campaign; David Stone, President of 3-Street Strategies; and Kevin Ready, former top advisor to Attorney General Martha Coakley’s gubernatorial campaign. Panels are closed press.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES “FRIENDSHIP FOUR” TOURNAMENT FOR BELPOT TROPHY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES “FRIENDSHIP FOUR” TOURNAMENT FOR BELPOT TROPHY

International College Hockey Tournament Result of Mayor’s Trip to Ireland

BOSTON - Friday, April 10, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Councillor Arder Carson, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Northern Ireland and representatives from the hockey community to announce “The Friendship Four,” an international hockey tournament in Belfast from November 27 - November 28, 2015 featuring hockey teams from Northeastern University, UMass Lowell, Brown University and Colgate University competing for the Belpot Trophy. 

Last September, Mayor Walsh traveled to Ireland and signed his first sister city agreement with the City of Belfast.

“During my time in Ireland, I saw firsthand how sports, and hockey in particular, play an incredible role in bridging communities,” said Mayor Walsh. “I am thrilled to announce the first tournament for the Belpot Trophy this fall. I would like to thank former mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir for his original partnership in this ambitious exchange and his continued hospitality towards Boston and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson, and the Belfast City Council for their commitment to making this tournament become a reality.”

“The Sister City agreement which we signed with Boston last May is designed to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural, faith based exchange and educational linkages between our two cities," said Lord Mayor, Councillor Arder Carson. "Bringing this prestigious tournament to Belfast is one of the first substantive results of the agreement, and we are delighted that, even before the first puck has been hit, there already is a commitment to play it here for a further four years.  It is our hope that the success of this tournament will help stimulate further exchanges, especially in terms of trade missions and educational links. Bringing this tournament to Belfast will be a great boost to our economy. The global media coverage this will attract is likely to bring a very positive offspin for Belfast too.”

“Ice hockey is a cross community sport in Belfast and this is one of the main reasons the Belfast Giants have been able to have success over the past 15 years,” said Eric Porter, Chairman of the Odyssey Trust,tournament hosts and owners of the Odyssey Arena, home to the Belfast Giants. “The Friendship Four will be the first time that teams at this standard of ice hockey will play in Belfast  and we expect our fans to be very excited about seeing it at their home arena. It is an opportunity to give back to the communities that have supported us over the years and we truly want to make this an event that is open to all."

The Friendship Four will be held at the Belfast Giants/Odyssey Arena.

The City of Boston is working with Secretary of State John Kerry’s Office of Global Partnerships and the Belfast Giants to incorporate educational components to the tournament weekend, including having student-athletes visit classrooms in Belfast.

The Mayor made the announcement at the Bobby Orr statue at the TD Garden.

“On behalf of ECAC Hockey, we are honored to be part of this tremendous endeavor,” said Stephen R. Hagwell, ECAC Hockey Commissioner. “We relish the opportunity to experience and have a positive impact on such a memorable cultural exchange."

"The Hockey East family is excited about this event, both from the hockey and cultural perspectives," said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. "We will work with everyone to make this first event a huge success and lay the groundwork for future such tournaments for others to experience."

Baker Administration Announces $900,000 Investment in Woodstove Rebate Program

Baker Administration Announces $900,000 Investment in Woodstove Rebate Program

WORCESTER - April 10, 2015 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a $900,000 investment in the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program, which provides rebates to homeowners who replace their older, inefficient woodstoves with cleaner, EPA-certified models that use less fuel and reduce energy costs.

“New, more efficient woodstoves will save homeowners money on wood costs, while improving public health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Woodstove Change-Out Program is an important part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to clean energy, and a healthy environment.”

Launched in 2012, the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“This program is a perfect example of a multi-agency partnership that results in the use of lower-cost fuels and more efficient technology for Massachusetts' residents, which will ultimately protect air quality in our neighborhoods,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg.

The program has helped more than 850 residents swap out their dirty, inefficient stoves for newer, cleaner models, with more than 350 of these rebates going to low-income residents. Residents installing new stoves can expect to save an average of $2,000 for each cord of wood they are currently burning, over the lifetime of the stove.

EPA-certified stoves on average require one-third of the amount of renewable wood sources to produce the same amount of heat as older models, while releasing 70 to 90 percent less particulate matter, which has been shown to lead to health conditions like asthma.Every 100 new stoves burning one cord of wood each per year reduce an amount of greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking nearly 50 cars off the road.

“Clean energy comes in many forms, and this program will once again allow homeowners to take control of their energy use, improve their own environment and save money at the same time,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.

“These rebates will make a big financial difference to those purchasing the cleaner and more efficient models,” said DOER Acting Commissioner Dan Burgess. “These new stoves will reduce emissions, heat more effectively and will improve the health and comfort for homes across the Commonwealth.”

Rebates range from $750 to $1,250, depending on emission levels and type of stove, and from $1,750 to $2,250 for residents who meet certain income requirements.

“This is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to upgrade, save, and innovate,” said Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler.  “I hope that many homeowners will take advantage of the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program.”

“The Woodstove Rebate Program is a great investment towards reducing our carbon footprint while also reducing energy costs for the citizens of Worcester and across the Commonwealth,” said State Representative John J. Mahoney

Residents must have an existing and operational non-EPA-certified woodstove to qualify for a rebate. To apply for a rebate, residents must visit a participating woodstove retailer, who will handle the application process on the residents’ behalf.

Rebate applications will be accepted until at least May 22, 2015, with the deadline being extended if funds remain. Residents can find a local participating woodstove professional by visiting www.masscec.com/woodstove.

華林功夫五月二日慶四十五週年

美侨学界：抗日战争中的湘西会战是中美合作的成功战例

美侨学界：抗日战争中的湘西会战是中美合作的成功战例

http://www.aacyf.org/?p=5345

美侨学界：抗日战争中的湘西会战是中美合作的成功战例

全美华人纪念抗日战争胜利70周年组委会、美国华人公共外交促进会、全美中华青年联合会、南加州华人华侨联合会、南加州华人历史研究会等机构日前在洛杉矶举办专题研讨会，纪念湘西会战大捷70周年，重点研讨美国在湘西会战中发挥的作用，一致认为湘西会战是中美合作的最成功战例之一。在纪念抗日战争胜利70周年之际，有必要重温这次战役，唤起美国民众对这段中美两国共同的“国家记忆”。

美国共和党亚太裔妇女联盟主席黄赵企晨出生在中国大陆，父亲曾经在中国经历抗日战争。她表示湘西会战的起因主要是日本认为湘西的芷江机场从1945年3月开始，就成了美国战略空军在华唯一的前方机场，也是盟军在远东的第二大机场。从该机场起飞的轰炸机不但沉重地打击了侵华日军的战略目标，也直接威胁着台湾一带的日军设施。日本侵华军队由此在1945年4月初发动了芷江攻略战。从这一点看，中美空军合作已经对日军的侵略形成了有效的打击。

罗省中华会馆主席伍尚齐、全美中华青年联合会理事长朱冰峰介绍，1945年2月中印公路打通后，每个月有近5万吨的美国援助物资输入中国保证了重庆政府的战斗能力，在美军总顾问魏德迈的规划下利用这些物资将当时中国部队重组成30个美械师。中国军队也因此调整将尚具战力的部队整併为第四方面军并接受美械补给，当时有第三、第四方面军在华中接受整补。他们认为，美国提供的战略物资为当时的中国军队提供了有效的物资和军械供给。

南加州华人历史研究会特邀研究员任向东指出，从这次会战发起的原因、战役发展过程、以及战役大胜结局，一方面中国的军民可歌可泣，另一方面美国参与这次会战合作的因素也随处可见。在湘西会战中，国民革命军已经开始使用美国军械装备，加上中美联合空军的空中支援，先将日军阻挡、随后并彻底击溃了日军的进攻能力，在两个月的时间内取得湘西会战的大捷。美军装备、中美联合空军的空中支援和美军军事顾问与中国军队的配合合作等，都在这次会战中发挥了重要的作用。可以说，湘西会战是在中国抗日战争期间中美合作的最成功战例之一，这也是中美两国人民共同拥有的“国家记忆”。

美国昭伦总公所元老谭振爙、美洲中华青年促统会副会长王颂、美国中国东北海外联谊会前会长刘新等在发言中表示，重温并分析这场会战，令人感到振奋，并为当年会战期间的中美合作感到骄傲。有必要让更多的美国民众知道和了解当年这场中美合作抗日的胜利战役，铭记中美在二次世界大战中的合作和友谊，并让这种友谊和精神延续下去。　

据史料记载，湘西会战，为抗日战争后期中国战场上最后一场由日军发动进攻的大型战役。主要作战时间为1945年4月至6月，战场位置位于在中国湖南省中西部。侵华日军发动此战的主要目的是争夺芷江空军基地，故又称“芷江攻略战”。1945年8月21日，侵华日军代表今井武夫在芷江签订洽降备忘录。（AACYF洛杉矶讯）

FORMER CAMBRIDGE RESIDENT CONVICTED OF SWINDLING MONEY THROUGH PREP SCHOOL ADMISSIONS BUSINESS

FORMER CAMBRIDGE RESIDENT CONVICTED OF SWINDLING MONEY

THROUGH PREP SCHOOL ADMISSIONS BUSINESS

 

BOSTON – The owner and operator of a prep school admissions business was convicted yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with his role in embezzling funds.

 

Mark J. Zimny, 43, was convicted by a federal jury on five counts of wire fraud, five counts of unlawful money laundering, two counts of filing false federal tax returns and one count of bank fraud.  The jury acquitted Zimny on an additional count of bank fraud.  U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2015.

 

Zimny owned and operated a business called IvyAdmit Consulting Associates that claimed to assist students in obtaining admission to elite American prep schools, colleges and universities.  In 2008, Zimny defrauded a couple from Hong Kong of more than $650,000 by promising that if they provided him large funds to give to prep schools in New England for "development contributions," he could influence admissions decisions to the schools on behalf of the couple’s two children.  Rather than delivering the funds to the schools as he promised, however, Zimny embezzled the funds for his own purposes.

 

Zimny was found guilty of tax violations for underreporting the gross receipts of IvyAdmit for tax years 2008 and 2009 in personal tax returns filed with the IRS.

 

Furthermore, Zimny defrauded Mt. Washington Bank (now part of East Boston Savings Bank) by providing the bank with false information, including fictitious tax returns that over reported his receipts from IvyAdmit, to support his application for a mortgage loan.

 

The charges of wire fraud provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each count; the charges of money laundering provide for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, two years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each count; the charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine; the charges of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each count.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Victor A. Wild of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit and Giselle J. Joffre of Ortiz’s Civil Division.

MAYOR WALSH TO LEAD MOMENT OF SILENCE AT 2:49 P.M. ON APRIL 15

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh ）昨（九）日宣佈，將於四月十五日（週三）下午兩點四十九分，舉行“沈默哀悼”式，藉以誌記波士頓馬拉松賽爆炸案慘劇發生兩週年。

波士頓市內的各個教堂，將在那一刻，同時敲響鐘聲。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊早前已宣佈，把四月十五日訂為“波士頓團結日（One Boston Day）”，以之為新傳統，藉以彰顯波士頓人在因應2013年四月十五日發生那場慘劇時所表現出來的靈活，慷慨，堅強。

            波市府鼓勵個別人士，企業，社區組織在社交媒體上，用# OneBostonDay，來紀念“波士頓團結日”。

            四月十五日早上，波士頓市長馬丁華殊還將參與在波約斯頓（Boylston）街上升起榮譽旗幟，紀念受害者及倖存者的儀式。

MAYOR WALSH TO LEAD MOMENT OF SILENCE AT 2:49 P.M. ON APRIL 15

BOSTON - Thursday, April 9,  2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston will hold a moment of silence at 2:49 p.m. on April 15 to mark the two-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. Church bells will then ring throughout the City.  

Mayor Walsh is encouraging people outside of the City, and around the world, to join Bostonians in the moment of silence. 

Mayor Walsh has previously announced that April 15 will be known as "One Boston Day," a new tradition to honor the resiliency, generosity and strength of the City of Boston.  The day will be an opportunity to recognize the good in our community and reflect on the spirit of grace and resilience of the people of Boston that was exemplified in the response to the loss and the tragedies of April 15, 2013. 

"One Boston Day" will encourage random acts of kindness and spreading goodwill.  The new tradition came together in compilation with the desire expressed by many survivors to pass on the kindness, generosity and support they received following the 2013 Boston Marathon. 

Individuals, businesses and community organizations are encouraged to share how they are marking "One Boston Day" on social media using the hashtag #OneBostonDay.  

On the morning of April 15, the Mayor will assist in raising honorary banners on Boylston Street to honor the victims and survivors of April 15, 2013.