星期一, 5月 25, 2015

波士頓的北京人率先舉辦微信群友燒烤聚會

波士頓北京同鄉會的“波士頓的北京人”微信群聚會合影。
(圖由波士頓的北京人提供)
波士頓北京同鄉會的微信群友,趁著長週末,五月廿三日開拔到麻州納提克(Natick)鎮的科奇維特(Cochituate)州立公園辦燒烤會,一呼百應的竟有逾百人出席。
“波士頓的北京人”群主李會銘(左起),波士頓北京同鄉會
會長趙進,謝謝
”Genki Ya“壽司店老闆于捷的支持。
(圖由波士頓的北京人提供)
            昨(廿四)日,意猶未盡的群友們,紛紛向群主李會銘,北京同鄉會會長趙進,萬家網的施志敏探問,下次什麼時候再辦聚會?稱讚“利君”烤的羊肉串,趙進烤的牛肉,梁木森做的香椿麵,美味得讓人口角留香,都說這次聚會亮點多多。
           不少沒嘗到香椿的人,在微信裏哀嗟怨歎。家種香椿樹的梁木森大方歡迎群友上他家分挖樹種,一下子竟吸引了十人以上報名。
            微信在中國流行很久了,在波士頓卻是這大半年間才突然如雨後春筍,冒出數不清的各種微信群。去年十一月成立,以北京老鄉為主要對象的“波士頓的北京人“微信群,也在最近這幾個月,躍升為有群友三百四十多人的大群。
 ”Genki Ya“壽司店老闆于捷親手做的壽司。
(圖由波士頓的北京人提供)
            不少群友在群裡討論得熱絡,從懷舊,憶述當年北京種種,到談今日,遐想未來,討論為子女找夏令營,合伙創業,提議集資做土地發展,在屋斯特(Worcester)也建個中國城出來等等,什麼話題都有,在群情熱絡下,群主李會銘看著大波士頓天氣終於轉好,四月底提出在母親節辦燒烤會動議,四下商量後,才落實在五月廿三日辦。
            群主李會銘,會長趙進,萬家網的施志敏,暱稱“尚宮娘娘”等的骨幹群友們這些天分頭張羅,從製作報名表,分派食物,用品的採買,到蹭車,公園佔位子,細節好多。
            燒烤會這天,群主李會銘一大早八點多,就把爸爸媽媽一起帶到公園去,陪他一起為群友們佔板凳,佔烤爐,還即時用微信通報,公園停車費八元,能夠共乘車輛的,儘量共乘。一名體貼的群友,看到群主打點燒烤會場的微信,馬上送出一首費翔的“冬天裡的一把火”這首歌,給群主欣賞。晶盛理財的王晶拍了好多照片,和群友們實時分享。
            會長趙進帶去了牛排,李會銘準備了豬排,漢堡及熱狗,萬莉買了羊肉串,利君帶了牛肉冷片,涼拌米線,“尚宮娘娘”做了雞腿,還有人做海鮮燴飯帶去。
 萬家網施志敏體貼的送上祝賀蛋糕。
(圖由波士頓的北京人提供)
            ”Genki Ya“壽司店老闆于捷這天很給力,不但為了新鮮,材料當天買,還一早十點到會場,親自動手做壽司。許多壽司愛好者,急忙趕腳的跟去現場學。群主李會銘也很貼心,用微信視頻現場直播。
            默默支持北京同鄉會的小龍師傅,也請人送了一盤做得有如藝術品般的壽司到會場。許多人事後看到照片,也大嘆沒享到這口福。
            萬家網的施志敏不但參與策劃活動,這天還買了大蛋糕,請人寫上“祝北京同鄉會的朋友們相聚愉快”,帶到會場,許多群友稱讚真是貼心。
            透過微信群辦聚會,這個週末很流行,昨日中午是李和當群主的四川老鄉朋友大學校友麻辣群在劍橋市Danehy公園辦聚會,波士頓浙江人在劍橋中國文化中心辦聚會,東南大學校友會辦聚會。


為活動出力良多的施志敏(右),尚宮娘娘(左)。


            
小龍師傅送的壽司。
利君熱心服務,烤了十六斤羊肉串。

            

           

           

Boston's Taxable Value Surpasses $100 Billion

Boston's Taxable Value Surpasses $100 Billion
Downtown development and rising housing sales drive value increases

The Research Bureau released a Special Report today, Boston's Taxable Value Surpasses $100 Billionthat examines the factors contributing to the fiscal 2015 tax rate.  Boston's fiscal 2015 taxable values rose to $110.7 billion, a $10.9 billion or 10.9% increase over fiscal 2014, surpassing $100 billion for the first time. Residential value continues to drive growth with a 12.1% increase over fiscal 2014.  Business value, which consists of commercial, industrial and personal property (CIP), increased by 8.8%. 

Boston's fiscal 2015 net tax levy is $1.83 billion, an $87 million or 5.0% increase over fiscal 2014.  The property tax constitutes 67% of Boston's fiscal 2015 operating revenue budget.  Since fiscal 2009, the City's net tax levy has increased by $466.6 million or 34.2%, while Boston's net state aid has decreased by $147.6 million or 42.2% during the same period. 

Other highlights of the report include:

  • Single-family tax bill increase:  Boston's average single-family tax bill is $3,520 in fiscal 2015, a $103 or 3.0% increase over the fiscal 2014 average.  The Boston average is one of the lowest among several surrounding communities and below the statewide average single-family tax bill of $5,225.  Contributing to the City's low single-family tax bill is the 30% residential exemption which represents a tax cut of $1,880 and the application of classification which saves the average single-family home owner $2,122.
     
  • Importance of economic development: New growth of $2.1 billion represents 19.4% of the increase in property value.  Proposition 2½ does not allow the City to increase its property tax levy based on its full value increase.  Even so, new growth represented $44.5 million in new tax revenue or 50% of the total increase in the tax levy, demonstrating the importance of economic development to continued revenue growth for Boston.
     
  • Higher business tax burden: Boston's application of the classification law in fiscal 2015 benefits residential owners as the City shifts the maximum tax burden on to business property.  Residential property represents 65.3% of the City's total taxable value, but will pay 39.3% of the total tax levy.  If taxes were determined using a single tax rate with full value, business taxes would decrease by $485.6 million or 42.9% and be shifted to residential property.
     
  • Boston at a competitive disadvantage: At 67% of operating revenues, Boston relies more on the property tax now than it did in 1981, the last full year before the implementation of Proposition 2½, when the property tax represented 61% of all General Fund revenues.  Boston's inability to have more control over its own financial operations because of a restrictive home rule structure in Massachusetts puts it at a competitive disadvantage with other major cities in the country.

BCNC獲公民銀行捐款二萬五

公民銀行(Citizens Bank)的“協助公民管理金錢”計畫,最近捐款兩萬五千元,支持波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)的“打造更好生活(Build a Better Life)”。
波士頓華埠社區中心的“打造更好生活”項目,旨在以傳授財務知識,協助低收入家庭闢出新路,在經濟上自給自足,包括教授製作家庭預算技巧,講解財務責任等,也為波士頓及昆士市的企業家提供各種額外支援。
波士頓華埠社區中心表示,許多低收入移民家庭面對學習新語言,文化,不熟悉新環境中金融機構營運方式及作業程序的挑戰。該中心因此設計了“打造更好生活”項目,舉辦財務健康,信用,教育,職業諮詢,以及獲取更高教育機會等不同內容的講座,幫助新移民掌握管理個人及家庭財務技能,改善生活。

圖片說明:


            公民銀行新英格蘭地區公共事務資深副總裁Rick Musiol ()把二萬五千元的支票,交給波士頓華埠社區中心行政主任李龍華。(圖由波士頓華埠社區中心提供)

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito Memorial Day Statements

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito issued the following statements to commemorate Memorial Day:

“We gather with loved ones this weekend in honor of our fallen heroes who courageously, and beyond shadow of doubt, made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the freedoms and liberty we hold so dear,” said Governor Baker. “Our communities, our Commonwealth and our country will always remain indebted for the devotion and bravery of our servicemembers and their families.  Today, I urge everyone to find your own way to recognize Memorial Day, whether attending a ceremony, marching in a parade or spending time with family, to honor the fallen and celebrate the incredible men and women serving our great nation.”

“Today, we remember our brave men and women in uniform, and their families, for their service and sacrifice to this country,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.  “While Memorial Day offers a unique chance for our communities to join together and celebrate our incredible servicemembers, let us never forget to honor those who selflessly devoted their lives to protect our homeland.”

In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Baker has ordered that the United States flag and the Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until noon and full staff from noon until sunset on Monday, May 25th, 2015. The order applies to the main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, other state-owned or state-controlled buildings and all state military installations.

星期日, 5月 24, 2015

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH RADIOSHACK OVER THE SALE OF CUSTOMER DATA

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH RADIOSHACK OVER THE SALE OF CUSTOMER DATA
Multistate Agreement Protects Consumer Privacy in Connection With RadioShack Bankruptcy

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey joined a coalition of states in announcing a settlement with RadioShack which will limit it from transferring certain customer data in connection with the company’s federal bankruptcy court proceedings. 

As a result of their opposition to the sale of data from millions of consumers, AG Healey, along with 37 other states, filed an agreement that will prevent its new owner, General Wireless Operations, Inc., from gaining access to any sensitive information, such as credit or debit card information, social security numbers, telephone numbers or dates of birth.

“Millions of customers provided their personal information to this business with the promise of limited use and safekeeping, and should be able to trust representations made to them in privacy policies,” AG Healey said. “We are pleased that the new operators of RadioShack will respect the promises previously made to these customers regarding their personally identifiable information.”

Yesterday, the federal bankruptcy court in Delaware approved General Wireless to purchase RadioShack’s entire e-commerce business, intellectual property, and remaining assets, which include certain customer data significantly limited by this settlement.

General Wireless will be permitted to retain only the email and postal mailing addresses previously given by RadioShack customers requesting product information. Out of the 8.5 million customer email addresses in RadioShack’s files, the agreement limits the number of email addresses to those obtained during the past two years. Impacted customers will be provided the opportunity to opt out before their email addresses are transferred, and will be sent an email notifying them of this right.

General Wireless will continue to employ approximately 10,000 former RadioShack employees and operate more than 1,700 RadioShack stores nationwide. Under the terms of the settlement, any customer receiving postal mail from the new RadioShack will also be able to opt out of future communications from the company. Additional information regarding customer opt-out will be available on RadioShack’s website.

Out of the 117 million customer files originally available for sale, no more than 67 million will be purchased by General Wireless and the rest will be destroyed by RadioShack. Importantly, General Wireless will be prohibited from selling or sharing any customer information it has purchased in the future with any other entity, including its new co-branded business partner, Sprint Communications.

This matter was handled for Massachusetts by Assistant Attorney General Francesca L. Miceli of AG Healey’s Consumer Protection Division

星期六, 5月 23, 2015

波士頓廣場旗海飄揚 紀念美國國殤日

波士頓廣場(Boston Common)廿一日插了滿滿37000面美國國旗,向美國革命戰爭以來所有的隕落士兵們致敬,讓迎接“國殤紀念日”的人們,無法不感受到戰爭帶給人的失落,傷痛。
每年五月的最後一個星期一是美國的國殤日(Memorial Day)。又稱美國陣亡將士紀念日的這國殤日,今年落在五月廿五日。
麻州軍事英雄基金(Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund)先於廿一日在波士頓廣場舉辦了一場追思紀念會,請得麻州州長理貝克(Charlie Baker),波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)致詞,也在簡單隆重的儀式中,大聲朗讀出每一名殞落軍人的姓名,聊表心意。
從2001年的911 恐怖份子襲擊美國,紐約世貿大樓被飛機炸塌以來,麻州共有219名軍人在各個戰場喪生。
            這一紀念活動,共動用了六百名義工,花了整整兩天時間,來插這些旗幟。主辦單位表示,這些旗幟將在波士頓廣場一直飄揚到週一晚上,供民眾憑悼。
          
圖片明:

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)在波士頓廣場的士兵及水手紀念碑( Soldiers and Sailors Monument)旁,為紀念殞命軍人致詞。(圖由波士頓市市長辦公室提供)

波士頓廣場插滿一幅幅美國國旗。(圖由麻州州長辦公室提供)

麻州州長理貝克(Charlie Baker)在致詞時指出,他就住在Swampscott鎮的一座紀念碑旁,那兒也紀念著從戰以來的殞命軍人。(圖由麻州州長辦公室提供)

羅德島華人協會頒獎學金鼓勵十七名學子

羅德島華人協會五月十八日晚在中國飯店頒發獎學金,一口氣發出二萬三千元,鼓勵十七名學子深造,服務社區。
羅德島州副州長麥基(Daniel J. McKee),克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉杰(Allan Fung)當晚應邀致詞,稱許這些學子在勤奮學習之餘,不忘服務社區,精神可嘉,也為美好未來奠下良好基礎。
馮偉杰提醒學生們,他們的成就和父母,家庭的支持不無關係,領得獎學金,邁向人生另一階段,將來學而有成後,不要忘了自己的中國文化傳統,更要記得羅德島州,羅德島華人協會,回來服務的回饋社區,把大家庭互相扶持的精神傳承下去。
羅德島華人協會獎學金委員會主席,羅德島大學教授楊慶表示,連辦兩年後,該會這頒給每名得獎者一千元至三千元不等獎額,強調申請學生須有心學習中國文化,致力服務社區的獎學金,在社區間已小有知名度。今年這第三年,申請者大增。
支持辦理獎學金項目的路加慈善基金會因此慷慨決定增撥款項,該會頒給獎學金的人數,也從第一年的九人,一躍增至今年的十七人。
楊慶指出,評審委員會正式開會四次,模仿國家自然科學基金會評審全美研究獎的程序和方式,嚴格評審每一個申請,不但審閱文件,看學生們在社區中所表現的領導力,參與度及貢獻,在學校的SAT/ACT, GPA等學業成績,老師的推薦信,諸如體育,藝術,音樂方面的課外活動表現,更考量學生們熱愛中國語言,文化及傳統的程度等。
今年申請獎學金的學生們,幾乎個個表現優異,評審們在”亞洲燒烤(Asia Grill)“餐廳開過多次正式評審會議,還親自面試申請學生,才一致通過,發獎學金給羅德島州及麻州南部的十七名學生。
獎學金委員會副主席,強森威爾士大學國際學生入學許可主任章賢信指出,去年得獎的三名學生,Derick Yang,Jesse Li和Hans Wang,今年不但回來協助籌辦頒獎晚會,還在會場當義工,為出席者端盤送菜,充分表現回饋社區的服務精神,讓人感到十分欣慰。
來自十所高中的十七名羅島華協獎學金得獎者,當晚由曾經在台灣住了十年,能說流利中文的南京士頓高中學生夏妮娜(Nina H. Gardener)代表致詞。東格林威治高中得獎比率最高,有吳明一等五名學生獲獎。馮偉杰市長的克蘭斯頓市,有一名得獎者,Jessica Leung
羅島華協今年的獎學金評審委員包括該會主席葉超,該會會長吳子平,以及以教授為主的獎學金委員,主席楊慶,副主席章賢信,還有萬寅生,李書紅,沈陽,蕭京建,王曉元,才旭,陳任卓等人。

圖片說明:

            羅德島華人協會獎學金得獎代表夏妮娜(右二)和該會會長吳子平(右起),克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉杰,該會主席葉超在領獎後合影。(菊子攝)

            克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉杰(前中)和十七得獎學生中的出席者合影。(菊子攝)


            羅德島華人協會董事,右起,楊慶,章賢信,才旭,孫琰,周華,吳子平,馮偉杰,葉超,羅春松,饒彬等人為頒發獎學金,還分頭籌備會場佈置。(菊子攝)