全美台灣同鄉聯誼會在波士頓招開第39屆年會 (圖片)

台灣政黨輪替效應彰顯 慶雙十團沒廣東歌不唱梅花

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導)僑委會安排的慶祝中華民國105年雙十國慶文化訪問團，9月22日晚在麻州Weston鎮的瑞吉斯學院演出，傳統僑社、不分藍綠的來自台灣僑胞，以及來自中國大陸僑胞，全都匯聚一堂，親切敘舊，交流，十分熱鬧。

雙十訪問團團長張富美(右)、波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬。

晚會在司儀江佩蓉請全體起立唱美國，中華民國國歌後開始。駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，雙十文化訪問團團長張富美一一致詞。僑委會副委員長呂元榮正好來波士頓出席全美台灣同鄉聯誼會年會，特地出席，與僑胞同樂。

左起，波士頓經文處副處長陳銘俊，處長賴銘琪夫婦，僑委會
副委員長呂元榮，雙十訪問團團長張富美，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬
夫婦。(周菊子攝)

賴銘琪先感謝各界僑胞支持這慶祝活動，再指出今年是校園民歌四十一週年慶，接著半開玩笑表示，大家可不能隨口說自己從小聽民歌長大，不然就洩漏年齡天機。

在波士頓老僑、新僑中左右逢源的蔣宗壬，上台致詞時也特地感謝中國城，郊區的僑胞都出錢出力，才能順利舉辦這場晚會，演員們實力堅強，僑胞們一定滿意。

江佩蓉擔任司儀。(周菊子攝)

穿著一身粉紅絲綢，顯得喜氣洋洋的張富美，當年是陳水扁政府任內，唯一做滿8年，未被撤換的閣員首長。她透露，僑委會現任委員長吳新興是她15年前親手挑出來的副委員長，因此今年7月吳新興打電話請她出任雙十文化訪問團團長時，儘管有點擔心要在一個月內跑15個城市，恐怕很累，仍有義不容辭之感。

張富美表示，自己當年曾到波士頓求學，取得哈佛大學博士學位，對波士頓相當有感情。2011年蔡英文來波士頓為競選總統造勢時，她也曾再度來訪，非常高興有機會再見許多老朋友。

9月22日晚的表演，由於音響臨時出狀況，大約遲了半小時才開演。出席僑胞們正好趁機會和許久未見的朋友敘舊，會場一片歡喜氣氛。

當晚演出的6名跨世代藝人，分別為曾獲金鼎獎，華語金曲三十年逐夢榮譽大獎，以”天天天藍”一曲揚名，1980年出道的潘越雲，民歌王子李明德，擅長模仿台灣搖滾天王伍佰的黃上，有”小張惠妹”之稱的簡語卉，雙目失明的美聲歌手蕭湘婷，以及小丑表演藝術家周子汧等人。

簡語卉披著捲曲長髮，穿著白紗短裙，率先出場，以一曲充滿動感的”Bad Boy”流行曲，帶熱氣氛，再唱”姊妹”，”聽海”，讓觀眾感受她和台灣流行音樂天后張惠妹到底有多像。

接著由擅長模仿台灣搖滾音樂天王伍佰的黃上，穿著很酷的貼身戎裝禮服演唱”衝衝衝”，”浪人情歌”，”你是我的花朵”。黃上透露，前不久，台灣一家媒體還真把他當作伍佰，在報導伍佰的新聞時，用了他的照片，也夠搞笑的。

 2015年代表台灣到美國參加世界小丑大賽的周子清欽汧，在表演”魔術立方體”之外，還走入觀眾席，先後邀了蔡喬茵等兩名觀眾上台表演雜技，贏得不少掌聲，笑聲。

從小因為視網膜病變而全盲的蕭湘婷，上台後先唱”我的未來不是夢”，彷彿要提醒觀眾，盲人如她都能實現自己愛唱歌的夢，何況身心俱全的大家。她接著還演唱了”花若離枝”，”海上花”兩曲。許多觀眾離場時都說，蕭湘婷的聲音真是好。

有民歌王子之稱的李明德，拿出吉他，演唱”微風往事”，再唱”其實我不想放棄”，還走入觀眾席，和人一一握手，頗為現場製造了點氣氛。

壓軸出場的，當然是曾經名氣最響亮的潘越雲。細心裝扮後的潘越雲，遠看和當年出道時差不多。她一開口演唱成名曲”天天天藍”，也讓觀眾覺得聲音一如以往。

僑委會副委員長呂元榮(左起)，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉和波士頓
經文處賴銘琪，台大校友會會長陳燕貞。(周菊子攝)

現場不少觀眾顯然頗為熟悉潘越雲，紛紛現場點歌，要聽”情自這條路”，”桂花香”，甚至”望春風”這些歌，還指定要清唱。潘越雲也展露真金不怕火煉的功夫，在沒有音響陪襯之下，依然歌聲優美。

    表演晚會最後在”愛拚才會贏”的大合唱聲中結束。

北京京劇協會創辦人劉瑋珊(中)(周菊子攝)

    由於台灣剛經歷了第三度政黨輪替，民進黨上台，在海外的親綠團體也開始更願意出席政府舉辦的活動。9月22日晚有不少往年少見的臉孔出現在觀眾席中。在陳水扁政府任內當過波士頓僑務委員的張啟典，也難得地出現在這類僑社活動中。

    表演結束後，曾任大波士頓中華文化協會會長，但本身是廣東人的洗鳳明談及表演時坦言有點失望。她說，有那麼多傳統僑社僑胞來捧場，可是居然沒唱廣東歌。

    甫卸任波士頓僑務委員，現為紐英崙中華公所主席的陳家驊也不諱言的表示，今年竟然以”愛拚才會贏”做表演結束的大合唱曲，而不是像往年那樣，高唱”中華民國頌”，”梅花”，有點美中不足。

僑領楊克競夫婦。(周菊子攝)

張啟典出席與會。

陳裕逢(中)，吳杏玫當義工，在會場服務。(周菊子攝)

USDA Declares Primary Natural Disaster Areas for 14 Massachusetts Counties

USDA Declares Primary Natural Disaster Areas for 14 Massachusetts Counties

Qualified Farms are Eligible for Financial Assistance

BOSTON –September 23, 2016 – Due to ongoing drought conditions and their effect on Massachusetts’ agricultural industry, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eleven Commonwealth counties and three contiguous counties as primary natural disaster areas. All qualified farm operators within the designated counties (Barnstable; Bristol; Essex; Franklin; Hampden; Hampshire; Middlesex; Norfolk; Plymouth; Suffolk; and Worchester) and the three contiguous disaster counties (Berkshire; Dukes; and Nantucket) are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans provided by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“Massachusetts’ agricultural sector, which includes many hardworking, family-owned farms, is an important component of the state’s economy, and it is essential that we work together to provide farmers with the assistance needed during this difficult time,” said Governor Charlie Baker.“Coupled with the state’s Emergency Drought Loan Fund, the USDA’s Emergency Loans will help ease the adverse effects caused by this year’s drought conditions.”

“Massachusetts has always maintained a vibrant agricultural industry providing fresh products bought and sold around the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By providing financial assistance, hardworking farms will be able to recover quicker from the effects caused by this year’s drought, which will directly benefit regional economies.”

“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to work with state, federal and agricultural stakeholders to address the adverse effect drought conditions are having on the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry,” said Energy and Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “As ongoing drought conditions persist, residents in all corners of the state are strongly encouraged to support the agricultural community by shopping local for food products to help provide relief for farmers who have faced negative impacts associated with this period of prolonged dry weather.”

In order to receive an EM loan from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, farmers in eligible counties must apply within eight months from the date of the declaration, which was on September 21, 2016. Importantly, the EM loans will be provided to mitigate farm operations losses. Farmers in the designated counties are urged to contact their local FSA county offices for additional information such as eligibility requirements and application procedures regarding the EM loan program.

The USDA’s most recent declaration comes on the heels of a separate primary natural disaster areasannouncement the federal department made earlier this week for several Massachusetts counties due to crop losses, particularly of tree fruits like peaches, caused by frost and freeze occurring between February and May. The disaster designation also made farms in designated counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.

“As we continue to work with our federal partners to provide assistance to farms, nurseries and related businesses, residents can also help them while they help themselves,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Purchasing nutritious, locally grow food is a healthy choice; enjoying the beauty of locally grown nursery stock and greenhouse plants in your yard feeds the spirit. Our farmers and growers are working extra hard to bring top quality product to market.”

“President Obama and Secretary Vilsack are committed to ensuring agriculture remains a bright spot in the Commonwealth’s economy by working with our state and local partners to help sustain Massachusetts farmers through these difficult times,” said Jon Niedzielski, Massachusetts State Director Executive Director, USDA - Farm Service Agency. “The USDA Farm Service Agency has a variety of programs, in addition to emergency loans, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity and we encourage producers to contact their local county office to find out more.”

Recently, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of the Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund. The program provides micro-loans to family farms and other small businesses affected by prolonged drought conditions within Massachusetts.

公民銀行華盛頓街分行開幕 捐款資助華埠獅子會

On September 22, 2016, the Citizens Bank branch at 580 Washington St had their grand opening, ribbon cutting celebration.  Many familiar Chinatown business owners and friends came to wish the branch manager, Herb Wong good luck and success.  This particular branch utilized the latest design and technology in banking, one of only three other locations that have this technology.

左起，黃維建，伍國光，余麗媖，李源沛等人代表華埠蝨子會接受
公民銀行捐款。(華埠獅子會堤供)

The Asian American Civic Association (AACA) brought a group of students from their banking class.  This class gives these 10-15 students exposure to the banking industry, and ultimately land a job.  The fact that two (2) of their current employees came from this program is a testimony to its commitment to community success.

Another group who benefited from the generosity of Citizens Bank was the Boston Chinatown Lions Club.  A monetary donation was given to the Lions who are dedicated to Service in the Community and Humanity around the world.  The Boston Chinatown Lions Club will celebrate their 30th Anniversary in January, while Lions Club International will celebrate their 100th year.  Lions Club International has 1.35 million members around the world, with 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries.  The Club donates 100% of all they fundraise back to the community and charities.

Some of the charities that Lions Clubs endorses is Mass Lions Eye Research Fund, Lions Club International Foundation and disaster relief, 33K Lions Eyemobile, and the local Kwong Kow Chinese School.  It was a wonderful celebration and a connection to the Boston Chinatown community.

Partnerships among training programs and employers connect job-seekers with metro Boston's growing life sciences industry

Partnerships among training programs and employers connect job-seekers with metro Boston's growing life sciences industry

Report finds the Skilled Careers in Life Sciences (SCILS) Initiative led to 85% employment for training graduates in first three years

BOSTON – Over 500 people have benefited from an initiative to help unemployed and underemployed metro Boston residents launch careers in the thriving life sciences industry, according to a report released today by the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD). The Skilled Careers in Life Sciences (SCILS) Initiative, a four-year comprehensive effort concluding this month, helped over 85 percent of training graduates in its first three years gain new employment in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

“Massachusetts has invested successfully in the life sciences industry, and the federally-funded SCILS Initiative has provided the training and the connections necessary for Boston area residents to participate in the growth of this new economy, as well as our world-renowned healthcare sector,” said Neil Sullivan, Executive Director of the PIC, which co-led the initiative with the OWD.

"The SCILS Initiative builds on our recent research that shows healthcare is a particularly promising sector for career advancement and quality jobs," said OWD Director Trinh Nguyen. "This initiative provides a successful model for connecting job seekers to the kinds of career ladders that can make a lasting difference in their lives."

With the support of a $5 million U.S. Department of Labor grant and over $3 million in leveraged funds, the SCILS Initiative provided adult participants with scholarships, internship placements, career coaching, and networking opportunities in the life sciences. The initiative's network of colleges and training programs delivered these services in innovative ways. UMass-Boston's Venture Development Center, for example, developed a new online course to teach students how to access jobs in the evolving landscape of life sciences startups. Boston University capitalized on SCILS funding to create its BioScience Academy, an accelerated Applied Biotechnology certificate program with an emphasis on job placement in the life sciences.

As a result of the initiative, the local life sciences labor market has seen a much-needed infusion of skilled workers. More than 225 local employers have employed SCILS participants in full-time and internship positions. The most common jobs filled by graduates of the initiative's degree and certificate training programs were: manufacturing technicians, research associates, quality control technicians, medical laboratory technicians, surgical technicians, and clinical research assistants. These occupations typically pay anywhere from $35,000 – $66,000 annually.

Salasse Keffous, an Algerian immigrant featured in the report, is one of many participants who benefited from the SCILS Initiative. A former parking attendant, Keffous completed his associate's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology with the help of a $4,000 SCILS scholarship. He now works as a biomedical equipment technician for GE.

In addition to its training and educational services, the initiative also convened a quarterly consortium of employers, training programs, and career centers to share information on staffing and skills needs in the life sciences. These needs are only projected to grow. Over 4,000 job openings in the state's life sciences industry are estimated to need filling by May 2018. In the year 2015 alone, Massachusetts biopharmaceutical job listings increased by 35 percent.

Looking forward, the SCILS report recommends continuing the work of the consortium through ongoing dialogue among stakeholders in the life sciences workforce. The report also notes that a solution is needed to address the backlog of prospective laboratory professionals awaiting clinical rotations necessary to graduate from their programs. The creation of an online clearinghouse of available rotations at local laboratories is one potential solution posited by the report. 
 
As part of the report's release, a SCILS Initiative wrap-up celebration at MassBioEd Foundation today includes remarks by Lauren Jones, Director of Business Strategy for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, and a panel discussion on the future of life sciences training and employment in the Commonwealth. The panel features Peter Abair, Executive Director of MassBioEd Foundation; John Finch, Deputy Director of Administration & Finance at MassBiologics; Sean Hemingway, Head of Product Operations & Network Excellence at Shire; and Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. 

SCILS Initiative partners include Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, Quincy College, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and the Just-A-Start Biomedical Careers Program.

數百人上街遊行為租屋者權益示威

來自波士頓數個不同社區的幾百民租房客及支持者，9月22日下午加入在全美46個城市同時舉行的遊行示威行動，呼籲立法保護低級中收入居民，以免他們被高漲的房租逼走。

有權留在這聯盟(Right to Remain Coalition)在波士頓市政府大樓廣場，象徵性的遞送了一份違反人權驅逐令給大波士頓房地產委員會，指控該會打擊社會中建造可負擔住宅的努力。

發起這次全國性抗議行動，位於紐約布魯克林的有權在城市聯盟(Right to the City Alliance)發言人Malcolm Torrejon Chu表示，波士頓的行動是響應在全美20州，近50個城市的行動。

位於劍橋市的小物業主協會由大約10個人做代表，在這數百名示威者的對面，也排出反對抗議陣仗。該會行政主任Skip Schloming表示，租金高漲並不等於驅逐，而且限制物業主可做甚麼的企圖，意味著回歸到租金控制年代。

他說大波士頓都會區的租金已經不像兩年前那樣攀升了。今年第二季以來，大波士頓內的公寓租金平均約為2050元。

示威人群拿著”你的豪華就是我們的遷離”的標語牌遊行著。他們也打算針對波士頓重建局採取行動，指控該局鼓勵豪華高端的土地發展，卻未能保護現有居民留在他們所居住的社區。

示威遊行人群從市政府沿路走過市內的豪華住宅大樓，一邊示威喊口號。

走到華埠時，示威人群停在黃述沾紀念公園，站在這已經被麻州交通局賣掉了一部分給發展商的土地上，要求承諾為鄰里居民建造真正可負擔的住宅。他們也批評州市政府官員在居民為房租掙扎之際，慷愾撥款給通用電子公司，鼓勵該公司遷址堡點(Fort Point)區。

華人前進會行政主任駱理德表示，每個人都想要有個活力充沛的城市，但問題是過去15年來，以華埠為例，附近地區的住宅單位數量增加了近一倍，但卻有百分之八，九十是豪華住宅，於是私人擁有的房屋租金大漲，數量龐大的租屋客被迫遷居。

MAYOR WALSH ADDS FIRST OF ITS KIND SOOFA SIGN TO SAMUEL ADAMS PARK

MAYOR WALSH ADDS FIRST OF ITS KIND SOOFA SIGN TO SAMUEL ADAMS PARK

Digital sign is the latest in a series of improvements to civic spaces in Boston, designed to engage visitors and residents

BOSTON - Friday, September 23, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today revealed a solar powered Soofa Sign in Samuel Adams Park, located outside of Faneuil Hall. A companion to the screen unveiled on City Hall Plaza in July, the Soofa Sign will provide visitors to Faneuil Hall and Samuel Adams Park with information on local events and City services, and encourage visitors and residents to engage with each other and the City through social media. Through a partnership between the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) and Soofa, the prototype sign is the first of its kind in the world. "Over the past two years we have been taking steps to improve our city services and make the City more inviting for residents and visitors," said Mayor Walsh. "By providing residents with real-time information that is both helpful and easily accessible, we are building on our commitment to providing excellent City services to the people of Boston. The addition of this sign in one of the most historical places in our city is just one more step towards making Boston more welcoming for all who visit." Boston is the first city in the world to pilot the Soofa Sign. The Soofa Sign provides an avenue for displaying information about municipal services like BOS:311, and can also provide visitors and residents with real-time transit information in the Sign's immediate area. The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics plans to hold a Twitter Idea Chat in the next few months to engage the public on additional ideas for the Sign, including new locations and content, and encourages visitors and residents to suggest additional ideas for public space activation in the city. "We're excited to have been chosen by Soofa to premiere their first-ever solar powered E Ink Sign," said Judy Wang, Innovation Fellow with the New Urban Mechanics. "The Sign encourages visitors and residents to engage with each other through the use of social media, and is another indicator of the many City efforts to activate the spaces in which we work, live and play." The debut of the Soofa Sign on Samuel Adams Park marks the MIT Media Lab spin-off's foray into the digital signage ecosystem. Soofa began piloting the use of their flagship solar-powered benches throughout Boston in 2014, and the benches can be found outside Faneuil Hall and on the Waterfront to just outside the John D. O'Bryant School and in Malcolm X Park. These benches have now been installed in over 20 states in the United States. The sign is part of a series of projects the City has unveiled to activate public spaces, including a "front lawn" on City Hall Plaza, and popup pedestrian spaces in Downtown Crossing. "Soofa is proud to continue this relationship with the City of Boston, a leader in public space activation," said Sandra Richter, Soofa CEO and Co-Founder. "This Soofa Sign installation is another step in connecting citizens with their surroundings through smart city infrastructure."

雙十文化訪問團今晚在瑞吉斯學院演出

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪(前左三)、雲雯蓁(前左二)夫婦，設宴為前任僑委會委員長張富美(前左四)率領的慶祝雙十文化訪問團洗塵。前右起為，潘越雲，謝如鍵，蔣宗壬，陳家驊。左一為余麗媖。(周菊子

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 中華民國慶祝年105雙十國慶文化訪問團今(22)晚7點，將在麻州Weston鎮的瑞吉斯學院(Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA)演出，由前任僑務委員長張富美率領名歌星潘越雲等6名跨世代藝人，與大波士頓僑胞同歡。

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦(左二，一)與蔣宗壬(右起)
、陳家驊歡迎張富美。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉與波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊，港澳之友社主席余麗媖，昭倫公所主席謝如鍵，僑務促進委員陳式儀等人，特地前往羅根機場迎接，代表波士頓僑胞表示歡迎熱忱。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦，特地在Natick鎮Minado餐廳設宴，為訪演團洗塵。

    張富美表示，僑委會今年的雙十國慶文化訪問團從9月10日出發，要到美加15個城市巡演，波士頓是第6站，預定10月11日在西雅圖Bellevue演出最後一場。   

根據僑委會安排的行程，”藝饗”文化訪問團已從9月11日起，依序在加拿大的艾蒙頓，蒙特婁，多倫多，以及美國的芝加哥，底特律等地演出。

儘管今年已78歲，仍精神奕奕的張富美指出，每到一地，僑胞們的熱情，都讓人感動。僑胞對演員們的讚賞，也讓人欣慰，高興。

比波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬還早一年到波士頓求學，在哈佛大學拿到哲學及東亞語言博士學位的張富美，很高興這次有機會又到波士頓舊地重遊，只是舊友之一的李敦厚剛好遠遊，未能一聚，頗為遺憾。

僑委會今年安排出訪的6名跨世代藝人，分別為曾獲金鼎獎，華語金曲三十年逐夢榮譽大獎，以”天天天藍”一曲揚名，1980年出道的潘越雲，民歌王子李明德，擅長模仿台灣搖滾天王伍佰的黃上，有”小張惠妹”之稱的簡語卉，雙目失明的美聲歌手蕭湘婷，以及小丑表演藝術家周子汧等人。他們預定做8段演出，最後大合唱”期待再相逢”。

波士頓地區今年由僑務委員蔣宗壬率領陳式儀，謝如鍵，余麗媖，鄭玉春，曾政銀等人組成的工作團隊，承辦安排，接待演出活動，有紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等支援。邀請台風穩健的江佩蓉出任司儀。蔣宗壬透露，在僑團首長支持下，今年的門票銷售應付開支已綽綽有餘。

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES ONLINE CALCULATOR TO PREDICT CPA CONTRIBUTION

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES ONLINE CALCULATOR TO PREDICT CPA CONTRIBUTION

BOSTON - Thursday, September 22, 2016 - The City of Boston today launched an online calculator that will give homeowners the ability to enter their address to predict their contribution to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) if the ballot question passes in November. The Community Preservation Act would create a fund to support affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space initiatives in Boston. It would also establish a local Community Preservation Committee to review project proposals and recommend projects to the City Council for approval. "We are committed to creating a city government that is transparent and efficient for our residents, and this new calculator will give homeowners the ability to easily predict their contribution if the Community Preservation Act passes in November," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I look forward to continuing our work with the City Council and our community partners as we study the CPA's potential to invest in affordable housing, our parks and to preserve Boston's history." Revenue for Community Preservation Fund projects in Boston would be raised through a local real estate tax surcharge of 1 percent beginning in fiscal year 2018. The new online calculator shows what the surcharge would have been using data from fiscal year 2016. The 1 percent surcharge is applied to a revised net tax owed on the property, not the assessed value of the property. To calculate a revised net tax, the first $100,000 is automatically deducted from the assessment of all properties. Taxpayers do not need to file for this exemption. Next, any personal and/or residential exemptions, where applicable, are deducted and then the standard tax rates is applied to this reduced value. The 1 percent surcharge would apply to this revised net tax amount. The funds from CPA would provide a stream of revenue to support affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space initiatives.  Individual communities can decide on the distribution of funds across the three areas covered under the CPA, as long as each area -- open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing -- each receive at least 10 percent of the total available funds.   New City revenue from the surcharge is estimated to be $16.5 million annually, and has the potential to leverage millions more in state funding every year. The average homeowner would pay an additional $28 per year.