星期六, 8月 15, 2015

美國華裔模特選手艷驚波士頓

美亞藝能公司主辦的第二屆美國華裔模特大賽(CA Model Competition)選手,8月14日艷驚波士頓。13名到訪美女,各個身材高挑,青春有個性。
            美亞藝能董事會主席葉彪表示,美國華裔模特大賽第一屆舉辦時,只有本地選手參賽。今年第二屆,有300人參選,中美各半的甄選出20人。10人由該公司大連夥伴從中國各地的模特學校甄選而來,10人來自美國各地,將於818日晚在紐約電影博物館舉行決賽。
            葉彪早從2002年就開始以紐約華裔小姐聯合創辦人,以及選美會董事會主席的身份,主辦美國華裔小姐選美賽。14日晚他表示,去年開始轉向辦模特大賽,一來是他早就覺得參選模特者比參加選美者,有更廣,更長的路可走;二來是如今時機成熟,中國開放了十年簽證,通過甄選者可在中美之間順利多次往返,挑選舉手投足都優雅動人,充滿現代感的華裔模特兒,絕對可以成為主流社會也關注的活動。
            814日,共有13美國華裔模特大賽隨團到訪波士頓,在紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦,美加旅遊東主劉承德等人陪同中出海遊船,拜會紐英崙中華公所之外,還參觀了哈佛大學,劍橋市市議會,並於晚上轉往昆市龍鳳酒樓,舉辦了場大波士頓社區見面會。
在拜訪劍橋市議會時,該市副市長Dennis Benzan介紹了劍橋市的房屋規劃,青少年教育,科技,治安等政策,邀團員們試坐議員席,體驗一下當議員的感覺。模特訪問團領隊林宜竹,選手丁博,該團實習生,重慶大學電影電視學院王婧等人,接著回答問題,匯報該團概況。美亞藝能大連負責人何麟,谷婷婷代表該團送給Dennis Benzan一個貝雕做紀念。
在昆市龍鳳酒樓舉辦的見面會中,大波士頓地區最近熱衷選美,秀旗袍的人,幾乎都出現了。既有承辦ATV亞洲小姐波士頓賽區的徐菁,率領部分獲選佳麗到會,也有新近成立的世界旗袍聯合會波士頓分會,由聯絡人蒼珍,會長曹品慈,邀來王藐若等人包了一桌的湊熱鬧。
波士頓華埠獅子會會長謝如鍵,還應邀當司儀,安排了波士頓裏愛唱歌的人,昭倫公所主席譚達兒,前任獅子會長伍國光等人高歌幾曲助興。
葉彪與美國華裔模特大賽選手等一行人,昨(14)日繼續行程,在探訪哈佛,MIT後,續訪耶魯大學,西點軍校。
查詢詳情,可洽 CK Tong718-361-5770,camodel@AsianCelebrityUSA.com

圖片說明:

            前排左起,谷婷婷,劉承德,Dennis Benzan,阮鴻燦,美亞藝能公司董事會主席葉彪,何麟等人和模特大賽選手們合影。(菊子攝)

            謝如鍵(左一)介紹13名模特大賽選手。(菊子攝)

李淑珍談林語堂與宗教、人生

總統府資政江宜樺之妻,剛轉往史丹福大學胡佛研究所做訪問學者的李淑珍博士,日前應紐英崙中華專業人員協會之邀,從林語堂二度改變宗教信仰的一生經歷,申論“宗教與人生”的關係,或如人飲水,冷暖自知,又或是文化傳承與生存環境的交錯綜合。
            1961年在台南出生,獲有布朗大學歷史學博士學位的李淑珍,對民國初期著名文人林語堂,頗有研究,演講當天,準備了不下150張幻燈片,從引用林語堂自述語錄,描繪林語堂“一團矛盾”的前言,到討論林語堂在成長過程中所接受的中國傳統與西方宗教,學問衝擊,思想上從清教徒轉為異教徒的變遷等,既讓人為當年那大時代感動,也讓人在短時間內對林語堂有了更深認識。
            從李淑珍的論述來看,林語堂在他一生之中,會從基督信徒轉為欣賞道家,再回歸為基督徒,其實和他的家庭背景,個人性格,成長過程,時代變遷很有關係。世間人們對林語堂的評價也頗為兩極,有人認為他寬大友善,是有教養人的典型,有人認為他不識人間疾苦,不食人間煙火。       
            人稱“幽默大師”的林語堂,1895年出生,1912年進上海聖約翰大學研習英文,1921年取得哈佛大學比較文學碩士,後再赴法國、德國進修,1923年當上北京大學英語系主任,1924年首次以“幽默”來翻譯英文的Humor1935年後以英文寫成的“吾國與吾民”,以及他41歲後攜全家赴美發展,後來寫的“生活與藝術”等書,使林語堂名揚中外,並於一生中兩度獲得諾貝爾獎提名。
            林語堂原本是閩南坂仔農家子弟,倘佯在山林間,習慣自由,有夢想,認同儒家的“食色性也”,反對佛家的“色即是空”,覺得“住在有美式暖氣設備的英國別墅中,擁有一名日本太太,一名法國情婦,一名中國廚子,就是最理想人生”,“對自己國籍敏感的人,根本不適宜旅行”。
            李淑珍形容林語堂把自己描寫成異教徒,但父親是閩南鄉下牧師的他,內心卻是基督徒,一方面求學時專攻文學,卻又後悔自己大一時不讀科學。他在一生中經歷了五四運動,軍閥統治,國民黨專制,對日抗戰,國共內戰等大動盪,也在旅居海外期間經歷了兩次世界大戰,法西斯獨裁,共產帝國擴張,美俄冷戰等等大時代事件,五四的反傳統,西方的唯物主義,科學理性,以及非理性主義對宗教的質疑,都不斷衝擊著他的生命。
            在談論林語堂的一生時,李淑珍對林語堂自己飽讀群書,卻不贊成女兒上大學,感到很不可思議。但林語堂同時是一名多情善感的人,他在大女兒林如斯自殺去世時,受到很大打擊。晚年住在有如閩南家鄉的台灣,臨終前還想去廈門看舊情人,辭世前心臟停了又跳九次,彷彿表述著他對人間的留有遺念。
            李淑珍指出,林語堂認為宗教是一種從個人內心發生出來的東西,不能由任何人來給予。從林語堂的一生看來,各人的生命依歸,也確實看各人自己如何追尋。
            紐英崙中華專業人員協會當天還邀請曾任駐波士頓經文處教育組組長,現為
國立臺灣史前文化博物館館長的張善楠,介紹了”台灣史前玉器的前世今生“。

圖片說明:

        紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長周萬欽(左一),董事長王世輝(右一)邀經文處處長賴銘琪(中),致送紀念品給講者張善楠(左二),李淑珍(右二)。(謝開明攝)

            張善楠介紹”台灣史前玉器的前世今生“。(謝開明攝)

            紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長周萬欽(右),董事長王世輝(左)歡迎張善楠回訪波士頓。(謝開明攝)


            李淑珍回答提問。(菊子攝)

星期五, 8月 14, 2015

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF LEAD CONSULTANT FOR IMAGINE BOSTON 2030


MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF LEAD CONSULTANT FOR IMAGINE BOSTON 2030 
Firm Brings Wealth of Planning Experience to First Citywide Plan in 50 Years
BOSTON - Friday, August 14, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that HR&A Advisors, with support from Utile Architecture + Planning, has been selected as the consultant team for Imagine Boston 2030, a signature initiative to create Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years. Their selection, which comes after the Boston Redevelopment Authority's Board of Directors approved a recommendation to work with the consultant at a meeting last night, paves the way for the city to begin negotiating a contract with HR&A.

"A successful civic engagement component for Imagine Boston 2030 is critical to creating a future for the City that incorporates all of our residents," said Mayor Walsh. "HR&A and Utile appreciate the diversity of Boston's people and their viewpoints, and they will help us build a stronger city that's grounded by ideas from the people of Boston."

The firms are expected to apply their international experience in leading the two-year planning process for Imagine Boston, which will cover issues related to mobility, housing, land use, prosperity and equity, environment and adaptation, parks and open space, arts and culture, and public health. The selection process was carried out by a team of stakeholders from various city agencies. HR&A and Utile ultimately won the group's support with their focused, creative and disciplined approach that answered the Mayor's vision for creating a community-led plan.

"The selection of a lead consultant is an exciting step for Imagine Boston 2030 as we embark on a two year process where we will look to harness the city's collective imagination and together build a vision for the Boston of the future," said Sara Myerson, Executive Director of Imagine Boston 2030.

Beginning this fall, the team led by HR&A will work directly with the Mayor's Office and City of Boston staff to implement an initial round of public engagement leading to a vision for the planning process and for Boston as it approaches its 400th birthday.

Imagine Boston 2030 will be carried out in phases:
  • In Year One, HR&A and Utile will deliver a strategic vision plan, establishing goals, indicators, and targets for the City's future by focusing on Boston's people, economy, places, and the environment.
  • In Year Two, the consultant team will deliver the Imagine Boston Citywide Plan, which encompasses strategies and recommendations to achieve the City's goals.
Leveraging their considerable resources and lessons learned during previous planning initiatives, HR&A and Utile will prepare a citywide plan for Boston that will be created, supported and driven forward by Bostonians of all ages and backgrounds.

The selection of HR&A was guided by an understanding of the firm's extensive experience working on comprehensive planning initiatives in New York City, Washington, San Antonio, Cincinnati, New Orleans and St. Louis. HR&A, which is headquartered in New York City, led the OneNYC strategic planning process and advised on legacy planning for London's 2012 Olympic Park. Boston-based Utile has led planning and public engagement processes for several important local initiatives, such as Boston's ongoing municipal harbor planning efforts and the Union Square Neighborhood Plan for Somerville.

In May, Mayor Walsh and the Boston Redevelopment Authority issued a request for proposals for consulting services following the official launch of Imagine Boston 2030 at the innovation Design Alternatives Summit. The request for proposals specified a need for core services, including project management and content production, expertise in land use planning and urban design, and a proven ability to lead an extensive outreach effort and public process. Throughout the process HR&A and Utile, along with sub-consultants that will be added to bring additional expertise to the team, will maintain a commitment to these principles, and will use creative and engaging approaches that exhibit international leadership and local connections to gather both input and feedback from Bostonians.

Mayor Walsh has challenged both citizens and city employees to embrace creative public engagement strategies that go beyond traditional community meetings. HR&A and Utile will work with the Mayor's Office, particularly the Chief of Civic Engagement, the Chief of Economic Development, the BRA and other City departments to reach constituents that would not ordinarily attend traditional community meetings. The City would like to hear directly from constituents on how they want to be engaged, and is encouraging them to fill out a survey. For more information, please visit imagine.boston.gov.

Governor Baker Appoints Russell Gittlen to MassDOT Board of Directors


Governor Baker Appoints Russell Gittlen to MassDOT Board of Directors

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment of Russell Gittlen to the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).  The MassDOT Board was expanded to 11 members by the Legislature this year based upon a recommendation by Governor Baker’s Special Panel of transportation leaders that was assembled to review structural problems with the MBTA and deliver recommendations for improvements. 
“With Mr. Gittlen’s appointment, all of the seats on the Board of Directors are now filled with members who bring to the table skillsets that are diverse, experienced, and well-rounded,” said Governor Baker.  “I want to thank Russ for joining the Board and look forward to the full Board engaging in a thoughtful, constructive dialog about how we move our transportation system forward in a way that benefits the Commonwealth’s economy and our quality of life.”
“I am happy to welcome Russ Gittlen to the Board and look forward to his contribution, including his experience in negotiating large contracts with major global transportation companies throughout New England,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “I am looking forward to working with Russ to address the challenges we have faced in delivering efficient, transportation services throughout the Commonwealth.”

About Russell Gittlen:
Russell Gittlen is the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) New England Area Director and Assistant Business Manager for Local 447. He has been an active member of the IAMAW for nearly three decades.
Gittlen, a former mechanic with United Parcel Service, coordinates all of the activity among the IAMAW’s five District 15 lodges, including negotiating large contracts with many major global transportation companies throughout New England.
He also serves as vice president on the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Board of Directors, Chairman for the District 15 New England Health Fund, Trustee on the IAM/UPS annuity fund, and as a delegate to the Massachusetts State Council.
Each year, Gittlen heads up the New England Region of District 15's annual Charles W. Foley Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Guide Dogs of America (GDA), helping to raise nearly $400,000 since its inaugural outing in 2004. In 2014, Gittlen received the GDA's highest honor, the Gift of Sight award.

Gittlen joins the following members of the MassDOT Board:
·       Stephanie Pollack, MassDOT Secretary, Board Chair
·       Dominic Blue
·       Ruth Bonsignore 
·       Lisa Calise
·       Dean Mazzarella
·       Robert Moylan, Jr. 
·       Steve Poftak
·       Joseph Sullivan
·       Betsy Taylor
·       Monica Tibbitts-Nutt

About MassDOT Board of Directors:
The MassDOT Board of Directors is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor and oversees all MassDOT operations including the Highway Division, Mass Transit, Aeronautics, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), Office of Planning and Programming and the Office of Performance Management and Innovation.

洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆举办向援华飞虎群英致敬图片展

轉載

全美中华青年联合会 www.aacyf.org     微信号:Richard3132

洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆举办向援华飞虎群英致敬图片展


洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆举办向援华飞虎群英致敬图片展
201585日上午,“向援华飞虎群英致敬”图片展开幕式在洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆隆重举行,92岁的飞虎队老兵Lionel Rosenfeld,原飞虎货运公司副总裁Nissen Davis,华裔收藏家陈灿培等出席了当天的开幕式。
洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆馆长Lee Nichols在开幕式致辞中表示,感谢华裔收参加陈灿培博士提供的展览照片,这些照片再次提醒我们,在二次世界大战时,美中两国如何携手合作共同抗击侵略敌人。飞虎队是美中两国历史中不能被遗忘的部分。
陈灿培博士表示,“向二战援华飞虎群英致敬”从2014年在国会山庄开首展以来,已经在加州议会大厦、以及多个城市的图书馆和博物馆举办。与洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆合作举办这个展览,希望可以让更多的美国航空界人士了解飞虎队与中国人民共同抗击日本侵略战争的历史。
92岁的飞虎队老兵Lionel Rosenfeld是飞虎队战斗机驾驶员,在参加展览中、不要家人的搀扶,认真观看了展出的照片,他表示,图片展带他回到了昆明、驼峰航线的记忆中,他对当地中国民众对飞虎队的友好,记忆犹新。
全美华人华侨隆重纪念抗日战争胜利70周年组委会执行主席任向东表示,陈灿培先生持续在主流社会举办向飞虎队致敬图片展,不仅是对美中合作历史、以及援华飞虎英雄事迹的缅怀;更是反映了美国华人社区对美中持续友好合作的良好意愿。
飞虎队原名美国志愿者大队(American Volunteer Group),在战后,11名飞虎队成员成立了飞虎货运公司。馆内有飞虎货运公司创办人Robert Prescott捐赠的个人遗物,包括飞虎队夹克衫、飞虎货运公司制服、以及徽章、照片、文件等,在洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆内设有特别的展区。
馆外展区有用于二战时舵峰航线的运输机DC 3 (C-47);馆内有以及P-40飞虎战机机位模型,曾用于1942John Wayne主演的飞虎影片
“向援华飞虎群英致敬”图片展包括49个展板190余幅历史图片,图片包括飞虎队的组织架构、队员合同、书信、文件、以及飞虎队在各地的生活、战斗场景,集中展现了当年飞虎队支援中国抗的各种珍贵历史记录。
洛杉矶国际机场飞行博物馆地址:Flight Path Learning Center & Museum6661 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90045;网址:http://flightpathmuseum.com;展览时间:85–819上午10下午3时,星期日及一休息AACYF洛杉矶讯)

雲門舞集 9/23 麻州大學演出

來自臺灣的「雲門舞集」將於923日晚間730半,在麻州大學 Amherst校區藝術中心音樂廳(Fine Arts Center Concert Hall)演出創團40周年鉅作《稻禾》,為「臺灣文化光點計畫」在麻州做第三場演出。
            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處與麻州大學五校聯盟,以及紐約文化中心合作的「臺灣文化光點計畫」,在20147月簽約,包括之前的台原偶戲團,聲動樂團在內,預定在18個月內辦3場慶典活動,4場演出,6場工作坊,2場講座,以及2場大師班,其中包括端午、春節等台灣民俗節慶。
            雲門舞集的“稻禾”演出,將是「臺灣文化光點計畫」到麻州的最後一場演出。
            「雲門舞集」是臺灣的第一個職業舞團,更是臺現代舞蹈表演團體代表,1973年由林懷民創辦。
《稻禾》是林懷民在2013年為誌記雲門舞集創團40周年所編的舞作,靈感來自臺灣「皇帝米」的故鄉,東臺灣的池上,但舞作並不寫實,而是以泥土、花粉、榖實、風、水、火……等自然意象作人生隱喻,反映生命的榮枯與輪迴。
《稻禾》的影像並為設計家王奕盛贏得2014年英國劇場投影設計大獎 Knights of Illumination Awards
文化部推動「臺灣文化光點計畫」,源於文化部長龍應台強調“台灣一定要用文化走出去和世界對話”,以及潤泰集團尹衍樑主動捐款400萬美元,從2013年到2016年每年撥款100萬美元的支持,在全球各地邀請了40所重點大學或相關機構合作所舉辦的活動。
在麻州,該計畫是和成立於1965年,共有師生4萬名,由執行總監Neal Abraham領導的「麻州大學五校聯盟(Five Colleges, Incorporated)」合作。
查詢“稻禾”演出資訊,可上網https://fac.umass.edu/Online/CloudGateDance,演出門票價格分504520美元,敬老與17歲以下孩童優待票151210美元。

圖片說明:

            雲門舞集劇照。(圖由經文處提供)

麻州展延一年實施可負擔保險法

麻州州長理貝克(Charlie Baker)昨(13)日宣佈,展延一年實施“可負擔醫療保險法”,聘用員工人數在51-100之間的公司,可以暫時留在現有的醫療保險市場
           根據聯邦政府在2014年三月時發表的過渡政策,麻州的決定容許聘用員工人數在51-100之間的公司,續簽原有的保險合約,將展延合併市場規定所帶來的影響,也防止中小型雇主的保險費大幅上漲。
           理貝克表示,他很高興能宣佈這指導原則,估計可減輕很多麻州居民所面對的保費大幅上漲壓力。
           該做法容許員工人數在51至100之間的公司僱主,留在大集團市場,並得以為僱主及其員工保留相對的保險費率可預測性,以及保險計劃的靈活性。
            聯邦政府的“病人保護及可負擔醫療法(Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act)”,規定從2016年一月一日起,一個州的小集團市場必須定義為符合資格員工人數在1至100人。這一定義的改變,將導致1至50人和51至100人的醫療保險市場合併,並使得51至100人公司的雇主需遵循小集團市場規定。
            聯邦政府是在2014年3月5日時,發佈通知,列出過渡政策,准許員工人數在51至100的公司,在州政府許可下,和大集團市場續約。

            理貝克在今年4月時,已寫信給聯邦醫療護理及醫療補助服務(CMS)中心,要求永久豁免於該一條文規定,但還未獲答案。