中華民俗藝術工作坊捐款五千 賑濟台灣震災

臺灣2月6日凌晨地震，116人不幸罹難，波士頓各界僑胞發動賑災捐款。中華民俗藝術工作坊團長張昆與該團小朋友一行10餘人，2月17日前往駐波士頓辦事處，拜會處長賴銘琪，送上捐款5000美元，請賴處長代向台灣災民表達誠摯慰問。

賴銘琪稱許小朋友們年紀雖輕，愛鄉之情不落人後，主動發起賑災義舉尤其令人感動。賴銘琪除在代表政府接受捐款時，允諾儘速轉送災區，更期勉小朋友們勤學中華文化，努力用功讀書，待將來事業有成，擔當起為臺灣與美國合作搭橋樑，進一步為故鄉臺灣做貢獻的重任。

賴銘琪也希望工作坊小朋友們的義舉可以起示範作用，促使更多僑胞關懷故鄉，響應捐款一舉。

中華民俗藝術工作坊是由目前仍在中學及高中就讀的46名海外出生的臺灣僑民第二代所組成。他們雖旅居海外，仍心繫故鄉，平日勤練扯鈴、舞龍、舞獅及舞蹈等，經常應邀至各地巡迴表演，弘揚中華文化。
今年初，台灣南部大地震，小朋友們獲悉後，不但主動捐出農曆春節期間的演出所得，還在幾個表演場合發起募款賑災活動，以實際行動表達愛護家鄉心情。

迎春聯合揮毫 2/27

為慶祝中華民國105年，紐英崙中華公所、新英格蘭中文學校協會、紐英崙藝術學會、中華書法會、北美藝術家協會、駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處華僑文教服務中心，將聯合舉辦「迎春聯合揮毫」活動。歡迎各界人士踴躍參加，為鼓勵新生代使用毛筆，學生參加者將由主辦單位頒發紀念品。

參加者可自備筆墨，由主辦單位提供筆墨及揮春紅紙，於指定時間，前往特定地點書寫。書寫地點分兩個：（1）波士頓華僑文教服務中心， 2月27日（星期六）上午11時至下午2時， 90 Lincoln St. Newton Highlands, MA 02461 Tel: 617-965-8801（2）紐英崙中華公所，2月28日（星期日）上午10時至下午2時 。90 Tyler St. Boston , MA 02111 Tel: 617-542-2574。參加者可自由創作，亦可參照主辦單位準備之參考資料，書寫對句。

U.S. ATTORNEY ORTIZ ANNOUNCES CREATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS UNIT

U.S. ATTORNEY ORTIZ ANNOUNCES CREATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS UNIT

BOSTON – United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz announced today the creation of a Civil Rights Unit whose primary focus will be the civil enforcement of federal civil rights laws in Massachusetts.   The new unit, which will operate within the office’s Civil Division, will also collaborate with local community members, advocacy groups and other federal and state agencies in the area of civil rights. 

 

“As U.S. Attorney protecting the civil rights of the residents of Massachusetts has been a top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz.  “We are committed to ensuring a level playing field for all residents in the Commonwealth, advancing equal opportunity, and educating the public about their rights and responsibilities.  I can think of no better way to further this mission than by creating a unit comprised of attorneys and staff who are dedicated solely to enforcing and promoting federal civil rights.”

 

“U.S. Attorney Ortiz has demonstrated her office's firm commitment to vigorous and robust civil rights enforcement,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Institutionalizing this Civil Rights Unit will help enhance our shared mission to ensure equal opportunity and equal justice for all of the communities we serve.”

 

The Civil Rights Unit (CRU) is charged with enforcing federal civil rights statutes that protect the rights of the most vulnerable and underserved members of our community.  The unit will focus on enforcing those laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, national origin, gender, religion and disability; prohibit police misconduct; protect the constitutional rights of institutionalized persons; protect the employment rights of servicemembers; and prohibit discrimination in housing and mortgage lending.  The unit will be led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Serafyn.

 

Today, U.S. Attorney Ortiz hosted two civil rights-focused roundtables.  The first focused on fair housing issues and included key stakeholders from state and local advocacy organizations.  The second roundtable discussion, which featured Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, concentrated on community-police relations with law enforcement officials and representatives from faith-based institutions and organizations serving the community.

 

Since 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has actively investigated and resolved civil rights cases involving disability discrimination, fair housing, fair lending, and Veterans’ rights, among others.  Several recent examples of the Office’s civil rights work include:

 

• An agreement with the City of Somerville resolving discrimination against a service member who was disadvantaged in his employment with the City’s Fire Department because of his military service;
• An agreement with Sage Bank, headquartered in Lowell, for engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of race and national origin in the pricing of its residential mortgage loans;
• Issued a Letter of Findings in the investigation into Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for denying opportunities, benefits, and services to a 21-year-old single mother who has a developmental disability;
• Filed Statement of Interest in private lawsuit alleging that Springfield Public Schools discriminated against hundreds of children with mental health disabilities by segregating them in a separate school;
• An agreement with edX, an online course provider, over the accessibility of its website;
• Initiated an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance review of restaurants in the Seaport and Fort Point sections of Boston and hotels in Copley Square;
• An agreement with the Town of Ware Police Department in a case involving effective communication for a deaf person at the police station;
• An agreement with Clarendon Hill Towers, a Somerville apartment building, for violating the fair housing rights of a couple and their three children; and
• An agreement with the owners of a North Attleboro apartment complex for discriminating against families with children.

 

In addition to the Office’s vigorous investigation and prosecution of civil rights matters, the Civil Rights Unit also has actively been reaching out to the community and providing training on civil rights matters.  For example, the Office commemorated the 25th anniversary of the ADA by hosting a roundtable discussion with disability rights advocates and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by hosting a panel discussion on emerging voting rights issues.  In honor of Veterans’ Day, the Office hosted a training for employers on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and U.S. Attorney Ortiz presided at a ceremony honoring the dozens of veterans and servicemembers who work in the Moakley Federal Courthouse. 

 

The Civil Rights Enforcement Team which U.S. Attorney Ortiz created in June 2010 will maintain responsibility for investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights violations such as hate crimes, damage to religious property, deprivation and conspiring to deprive constitutional rights and human trafficking, including involuntary servitude, forced labor, and sex trafficking of children.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Merritt will continue to oversee the work of the Team.

 

For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.  For more information on the Department of Justice’s civil rights effort, please visit www.justice.gov/crt.

田偉寧 2/18 哈佛談“揚琴在中國的發展”

扬琴在中国的发展

主办：哈佛大学中国学生学者联合会

主题：扬琴历史悠久，是在世界各地迄今仍广泛使用和深受喜爱的乐器。从丝绸之路传入中国后，成为了中国民族乐器中的一员。20世纪下半叶以来，中国扬琴的形制、演奏、和曲目都有了革命性的发展，从一种伴奏和合奏乐器，发展成了曲目丰富的独奏乐器。一位中国国家级扬琴演奏家，愿意与大家分享他对扬琴发展身体力行的知识和经历，并现场演奏名曲，用他高超的技艺来演现这种古老乐器不断发展的魅力。讲座欢迎所有热爱音乐的朋友参加，并与大师共同探讨和交流中国民族器乐的发展前景。  

主讲：田伟宁，中国东方歌舞演艺集团（原国家歌舞团）首席扬琴演奏家，国家一级演员，中国扬琴专业委员会副秘书长。代表中国出演过数十个国家并获得各种奖项。文化部“德艺双馨演员”，和“民族音乐特别贡献奖”获得者。六岁开始习奏扬琴，三十多年来对扬琴的发展做出了创造性的贡献。

时间：2016年2月18日星期四，晚7点半至9点

地点：哈佛大学Larsen Hall楼下G08室，14 Appian Way，Cambridge，MA 02138 

地图链接：Map

本次讲座对公众开放，但谢绝未经邀请的媒体。

U.S. Chamber Recognizes 100 Small Businesses

U.S. Chamber Recognizes 100 Small Businesses for Exceptional, Innovative Business Practices

Award Winners to Be Honored at Annual Small Business Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced the winners of its annual DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards®, recognizing 100 companies for their success and their contributions to America’s economic growth and vitality. Winners were selected from a record number of applicants from communities across the nation. They were judged in four key categories: strategic planning, employee development, customer service, and community involvement. “Small businesses across America today face more economic and regulatory hurdles than ever before, but each of these outstanding companies is rising to the challenge,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “These Blue Ribbon Award winners have worked hard, taken risks, and achieved success, helping strengthen their communities and local economies.” A complete list of this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners is available here. On March 9, the Chamber will announce seven regional finalists from among this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners. All of this year’s winners will be honored at the 12th annual America’s Small Business Summit, which will take place June 13-15 in Washington, D.C.  During the summit, one regional finalist will receive the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club®, and a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the U.S. Chamber. All Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners are also eligible for the Community Excellence Award, which recognizes one business that has found notable success in the eyes of its community. The winner of that award will be decided through online public voting to take place February 18 through March 4, 2016. “Small businesses provide a powerful example of what’s possible in our free enterprise system. Day in and day out, these companies exemplify the strong American values of hard work, innovation, persistence, and entrepreneurship,” continued Donohue. “The Chamber is proud to recognize these tremendous small businesses for all of their achievements.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

SETTLEMENT REACHED WITH TUFTS ASSOCIATED HEALTH PLANS OVER RESTRICTING ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

SETTLEMENT REACHED WITH TUFTS ASSOCIATED HEALTH PLANS OVER RESTRICTING ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Agrees to Reimburse Members and Providers, Revise Policies to Ensure Access to Autism Services

            BOSTON – In her continued efforts to ensure access to behavioral health services, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced a settlement with Tufts Associated Health Plans, Inc. (Tufts) to resolve allegations that it inhibited member access to coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder treatments.

            “We can’t treat patients with behavioral health issues, including autism, differently from those with physical conditions,” said AG Healey. “Together, we need to break down the barriers that for too long have made the treatment of behavioral health secondary in our health care system. We appreciate that Tufts will take these actions to help ensure access to behavioral health treatment.”

The AG’s Office alleges that Tufts violated the state’s autism insurance, mental health parity and consumer protection laws when it inhibited member access to treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, specifically Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. Tufts allegedly violated these laws by implementing policies that required parental presence at every ABA appointment to obtain coverage and prohibiting coverage for ABA therapy provided in daycare or preschool settings.

Under the terms of the Assurance of Discontinuance, filed on Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court, Tufts will reimburse members who paid out-of-pocket for ABA therapy as a result of its policies and reimburse providers who refunded payments from Tufts as a result of these policies.

Tufts will also refrain from implementing future policies that require parents to be present at ABA therapy sessions and will revise its policies to reflect that ABA therapy is covered in daycare and preschool settings.

In addition, Tufts will pay $90,000 to the Commonwealth, including $5,000 in civil penalties, $20,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs, and $65,000 to be distributed to programs to improve care and treatment related to autism.

Since taking office, AG Healey has made ensuring access to behavioral health services a priority.

In June, the AG’s Office issued a report that indicated that current approaches to managing behavioral health care complicate efforts to better coordinate patient care over time and across settings. According to the report, health care benefits are categorized as either “behavioral health” or “medical,” a distinction that complicates efforts to better coordinate overall patient needs.

The AG’s Office also recently settled with two health insurance companies, the Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania and American Fidelity Assurance Company, to resolve allegations that they violated state consumer protection laws by excluding coverage of certain health services required by Massachusetts law, including behavioral health.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Shannon Choy-Seymour and Deputy Division Chief Eric Gold of the Health Care Division.

PTC Inc. Subsidiaries Agree to Pay More Than $14 Million to Resolve Foreign Bribery Charges

Two subsidiaries of Massachusetts software company PTC Inc. entered into a non-prosecution agreement and agreed to pay a $14.54 million penalty today to resolve the government’s investigation into whether the companies improperly provided recreational travel to Chinese government officials in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. 

According to admissions made in the resolution documents, Parametric Technology (Shanghai) Software Company Ltd. and Parametric Technology (Hong Kong) Ltd. (collectively, PTC China), through local business partners, arranged and paid for employees of various Chinese state-owned enterprises to travel to the United States, ostensibly for training at PTC Inc.’s headquarters in Massachusetts, but primarily for recreational travel to other parts of the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hawaii.  PTC China paid a total of more than $1 million through its business partners to fund these trips, while during the same time period, PTC China entered into more than $13 million in contracts with the Chinese state-owned entities.  Company employees typically accompanied the Chinese officials on these trips.  PTC China admitted that the cost of these recreational trips was routinely hidden within the price of PTC China’s software sales to the Chinese state-owned entities whose employees went on the trips.  

As part of the non-prosecution agreement, PTC China agreed to pay the criminal penalty, to continue to cooperate with the department, to enhance its compliance program and to periodically report to the department on the implementation of its enhanced compliance program.  The department reached this resolution based on a number of factors.  Among other factors, PTC China did not receive voluntary disclosure credit or full cooperation credit because, at the time of its initial disclosure, it failed to disclose relevant facts that it had learned in connection with a prior internal investigation and did not disclose those facts until the department uncovered additional information independently and brought them to PTC China’s attention.  By the conclusion of the investigation, however, the companies had provided to the department all relevant facts known to them, including information about individuals involved in the FCPA misconduct.

In a related matter, PTC Inc. reached a settlement today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under which it agreed to pay $11,858,000 in disgorgement plus $1.764 million in prejudgment interest.  Thus, the approximately $28 million in combined penalty and disgorgement far exceeds the $13 million in contracts associated with the improper payments.

The FBI’s Boston Field Office investigated the case.  Trial Attorney Aisling O’Shea of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Massachusetts and the SEC also provided assistance during the investigation.

NORTH ANDOVER MAN ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED IN CONNECTION WITH TRAFFICKING HEROIN

NORTH ANDOVER MAN ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED IN CONNECTION WITH TRAFFICKING HEROIN

LAWRENCE – A North Andover man has been arrested and arraigned in connection with selling heroin and cocaine in Lawrence, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Rodolfo Soto, age 22, of North Andover, was arrested Tuesday night in Lawrence by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and State Police assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit.

Soto was charged with Trafficking Heroin over 36 grams (one count), Trafficking Heroin over 18 grams (two counts), Distribution of a Class A Substance (heroin) (one count), Distribution of a Class B Substance (cocaine) (one count), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (one count), Receiving Stolen Property over $250 (one count), School Zone Violation (three counts) and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (one count).

Soto was arraigned today in Lawrence District Court where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and bail was set at $500,000. He is due back in court on March 25 for a probable cause hearing.

“The heroin and opioid epidemic is devastating families and communities across our state,” said AG Healey. “We are losing four people a day to this crisis. Our office is committed to combating this epidemic on all fronts including going after those who put these deadly drugs on our streets.”

Authorities allege that Soto attempted to sell over 36 grams of heroin and cocaine to an undercover state trooper in Lawrence on Tuesday. Authorities executed a search warrant later that day at a North Andover apartment and on Soto’s car and seized over 18 grams of heroin, 10 grams of cocaine, and a gun, which was determined to be stolen from New Hampshire.

State Police assigned to the AG’s Office began an investigation into Soto in December 2015 with assistance from State Police troopers assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit and troopers assigned to the Firearms Licensing and Trafficking Unit.

This investigation is ongoing. These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

In June, the AG’s Office indicted Jose Casellas in connection with running a major drug trafficking operation in the Lawrence area. Casellas was charged with Trafficking over 200 Grams (Habitual Offender), Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (Habitual Offender), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (3 counts) and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.

Shortly before taking office, AG Healey announced the formation of an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. AG Healeyhas vowed to use a multi-faceted approach to educate prescribers, pursue illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expand access to recovery and treatment programs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, of AG Healey’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division, with assistance from State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, State Police assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit and the Firearms Licensing and Trafficking Unit.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $17.7 MILLION IN HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $17.7 MILLION IN HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING FOR BOSTON

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 17, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston and the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region (MBHSR) have received $17.7 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program.    "I am extremely proud of the strong partnership between the City of Boston and the Department of Homeland Security," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm grateful for Secretary Johnson's continued support of our world-class City, and a special thanks to our Massachusetts delegation -- Senators Warren and Markey, Congressman Lynch and Capuano - who have been incredibly supportive during the process. The City of Boston has always placed a premium on the safety and security of our first responders, and this grant funding provides critical resources and ensures long term resiliency."   The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the agency responsible for ensuring the City has plans to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters. During emergencies, OEM operates the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) where City agencies gather to share critical information and coordinate response for managing an incident. OEM is also entrusted with managing homeland security funding for the entire MBHSR region comprised of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Quincy, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop.     "Whether natural or man-made, emergencies can happen anytime. This funding allows us to enhance the capabilities of our first responders, ensuring they are trained and prepared for any potential emergency or disaster," said Rene Fielding, OEM Director. "The program will also support efforts to work with Boston's surrounding communities in preparing for emergencies."   Past funding has supported initiatives in communications interoperability by providing the capability to allow first responders to clearly and seamlessly communicate with one another and in running Urban Shield Boston, the largest first responder exercise conducted in New England and the cornerstone of the MBHSR training and exercise program. Urban Shield Boston was last held in May 2014 and involved approximately 2,000 emergency response personnel from more than 50 local, state and federal agencies. The goal of Urban Shield is to test and evaluate specific public safety capabilities that have been developed, or enhanced, with the investment of funds received through the UASI grant program.

『老鷹想飛』2/27 到波士頓

一部拍了23年，講述關於人與老鷹及土地深厚感情的得獎紀錄片『老鷹想飛』即將於2016年2月27日（星期六）下午3點，於波士頓Tufts Medical School’s Sackler Auditorium 放映，會後並將與來自台灣的本片導演梁皆得先生舉行面對面座談會。

台灣的常見猛禽老鷹曾經漫天飛舞，曾經是每個人童年遊戲「老鷹抓小雞」的主角，曾幾何時，老鷹不見了，看不到了，在1991年，全台灣只剩下不到200隻，被公告列為珍貴稀有保育類動物。有一位高中老師，沈振中，毅然決然辭去穩定工作，發願要花20年，為老鷹立傳。從1992年到2012年，38歲到58歲，他真的信守承諾，奉獻了人生最精華的20年，簡樸度日，默默守護了台灣的老鷹。而自然影像工作記錄者梁皆得導演，也在一旁陪伴，記錄了沈老師20年的行腳足跡。2012年，沈老師退休了，但有受到沈老師感動的新生代研究人員繼續加入，老鷹的故事仍在繼續。

這是一部拍了23年，見證了23年台灣土地風貌變遷，老鷹生存奮鬥的紀錄片，但它其實更跨越了時空的尺度，清楚訴說生命互相關懷，愛是超越物種界線的感人故事。2015年底在台灣上映後好評不斷，更有小學生看過之後主動寫信給知名國際企業希望他們能出錢出力幫助老鷹，事實上本片的完成也是靠了很多願意關懷環境的公司贊助。有觀眾淚中帶笑感謝沈老師與梁導演兩位傻子，成就了這麼一部好片。在台灣的上映期間票房破了千萬，但他們投注的20年光陰早使得本片成本無法估算，這部片更需要的其實是希望能讓更多關懷土地的人好好看過，看看我們的環境，看看台灣老鷹遭遇的殘酷困境，讓觀眾陪老鷹一起再走一次20年來的旅程，讓影片的畫面與情節觸動心裡的某個地方。

波士頓有一群同樣熱血的團體，排除萬難把『老鷹想飛』和梁皆得導演帶來波城了

。主辦單位紐英崙中華專業人員協會（NEACP）為促進台灣、香港、中國大陸和美國科學知識技術，及社會文化交流的非營利性社團。協辦單位與活動贊助計有：新英格蘭台灣青年商會，新英格蘭玉山科技協會，新英格蘭台灣商會聯合總會，波士頓台灣同鄉會，哈佛公衛學院台灣同學會，大波士頓地區台大校友會，台北奈米生醫，Tufts University School of Medicine，Harvard Meditation Club，Silent Spring Institute，BE Capital Partners，Wizhead，U - ARK America, Inc.。

門票每張5元，12歲以下兒童免費入場。門票收入僅作成本支出，若有餘額將全數捐助社團法人台灣猛禽研究會（http://raptor.org.tw）黑鳶研究基金。

影片購票細節請上：http://goo.gl/8ADJqI

康麗雪（Lisa Kang, NEACP) lisatarheel@gmail.com 電話：617-528-0668

本片獲得第12屆世界自然野生生物映像祭「環境保護獎」，由吳念真旁白，林強配樂，yahoo雅虎奇摩觀眾回應4.7顆星推薦。（撰稿：吳盈瑩）


Taiwanese Wildlife Documentary “Fly, Kite Fly” Coming to Boston

Boston, Massachusetts – February 13, 2016. A documentary film about the rare Taiwanese black kite (a bird of prey) called “Fly, Kite Fly” will be shown at Tufts Medical School’s Sackler Auditorium in Boston starting 3 PM on February 27, 2016. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite at http://goo.gl/8ADJqI for $5. Children under 12 will be admitted for free. The film was directed by Taiwanese nature photographer Liang Chieh-te and produced by the Raptor Research Group of Taiwan. It won the Best Environmental Conservation Award at the 2015 Japan Wildlife Film Festival.

A group of nature enthusiasts, including members of local Taiwanese-American organizations, have brought “Fly, Kite Fly” to Boston in hopes of spreading Director Liang’s message about the universal importance of environmental and wildlife conservation. The movie has English subtitles for non-Chinese speaking attendees. There will be a Q&A session with the director, with English translation, after the film.

Film summary: When schoolteacher Shen Chen-chung noticed the disappearance of a group of black kites from Waimu Mountain in 1991, he decided to travel to Taiwan’s remaining black kite populations to study them. “Fly, Kite Fly” follows his 23-year journey to understand these birds of prey and why they have been disappearing. Black kites are doing relatively well in other Asian countries, but there are only about 200 left in Taiwan.

The event is hosted by the New England Association of Chinese Professionals (NEACP), a non-profit organization. NEACP creates a platform for professionals from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the US to exchange opinions and news about science and the liberal arts. Sponsors include the Harvard Meditation Club, Harvard Taiwanese Student Association, Monte Jade Science and Technology Association of New England, National Taiwan University Alumni, Silent Spring Institute, Taiwanese Association of America, Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, Taiwanese Youth Chamber of Commerce, Tufts University School of Medicine, U-Ark America, Inc., and Wizhead.

Written by Melody Wu

Event Contact:
Lisa Kang, NEACP
lisatarheel@gmail.com

Ph: 617-528-0668

MAYOR WALSH DISPATCHES CREWS TO REPAIR POTHOLES, ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO REPORT PROBLEM AREAS

MAYOR WALSH DISPATCHES CREWS TO REPAIR POTHOLES, ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO REPORT PROBLEM AREAS

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 16, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced he is dispatching between 15 and 20 crews from the Public Works Department (PWD) to repair potholes across the City.  The combination of a dramatic freeze, followed by warmer temperatures and precipitation has made roads especially susceptible to pothole damage.    The Mayor is encouraging residents to report potholes through any of the City's several different platforms, including:  Mobile: download the free BOS:311 app on iOS or Android (previously known as Citizens Connect) Online: Boston.gov/311 Social media: tweet @BOS311 Phone: dial 3-1-1 (previously the Mayor's 24-hour hotline 617-635-4500. For those with VoIP and for calls from outside Boston, callers should continue to dial 617-635-4500.   PWD spent Monday actively canvassing neighborhoods to evaluate roadways and will begin inspections on Tuesday and continue repair work on Wednesday.

洪聚佐、Sharon Cho 將代表BCNC跑馬拉松

Pamela Hung & Sharon Cho Represent BCNC in 2016 Boston Marathon Pamela Hung (25) and Sharon Cho (28) are representing The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) in the 2016 Boston Marathon. Together, they have set an ambitious goal of raising $19,000. All proceeds will benefit BCNC’s family-centered services for children, youth and families. “Sharon and Pamela’s applications to run stood out, because of their dedication and commitment to BCNC’s mission”, said Kelly Yardley, BCNC Development Associate. Pamela Hung is an active member of the local Asian American community, serving as the President of the Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP) organization and as a member of the steering committee member for the Saffron Circle, a multi-generational and multi-ethnic Asian giving circle located in Greater Boston. When asked why Pamela is running the Boston Marathon, she replies: “BCNC is a Boston community institution that makes the city a more welcoming place for Asian immigrants. My parents emigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan and I know that if I had just arrived in Boston from a different country, BCNC would be a home away from home for me, too”. Pamela also appreciates BCNC’s “family-centered” approach, suggesting this strategy is “the primary ingredient to building a stronger and more cohesive community.” This is Pamela’s first marathon and she admits to it being a “dream come true” for her, in terms of her participation this year. Sharon Cho is the daughter of Korean immigrants and she first became familiar with BCNC through friends, who worked for BCNC. As she became more involved with community organizations, she developed an awareness of BCNC’s positive impact upon the Greater Boston community. “As a child, I often witnessed the struggles that Asian immigrant families face, including language barriers, lack of culturally competent resources, and difficulties navigating government bureaucracies”, says Sharon. “Given my upbringing, I understand at a personal level how vital BCNC’s services are to the Asian immigrant community it serves”. Sharon is currently serving on the support committee for the Chinese Progressive Association and is assisting in the Chinatown “stabilization” and “just cause” eviction campaigns. Additionally, she is a planner and trainer for the Activist Training Institute (ATI), a leadership development and training program for Asian Americans in the Greater Boston area. Sharon has served on the Board of Directors of the Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), where she remains an active member. “I am running for team BCNC because I care deeply about community. And that is what BCNC's work is about, says Sharon: “to support Boston's Asian and Asian Americans in their efforts to live a more equitable and full life”. To support Pamela and Sharon, please visit: https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamBCNC2016/fundraiser/pamelahung https://www.crowdrise.com/TeamBCNC2016/fundraiser/sharoncho