波士頓洪門致公堂慶豬年新春 強調僑社安定風雨同路

波士頓洪門致公堂與嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

波士頓洪門致公堂有史以來首名女主席余麗媖(右)和搭檔
主席梅少華。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓洪門致公堂3月4日晚在帝苑大酒樓慶祝已亥豬年新春。儘管前一晚波城大雪，這天仍有大約380名兄弟，政要嘉賓到會，在洪清體育會的喧天鑼鼓聲中同歡，主席余麗媖強調僑社安定，手足和諧，風雨同路的提示中，祝福堂所踏入女主席掌舵的新紀元。

洪門致公堂是中國內歷史悠久的幫派組織之一，約一百年前由司徒美堂在波士頓設立分堂，一路傳承，今年打破紀錄，首次由女性掌舵。

洪門大老護持洪門，請瑞獅採青。前排左起，余共才，
梅少華，阮振強，朱傑概，謝仲安。(周菊子攝)

自己是第三代，祖父，父親都是洪門兄弟的余麗媖，年輕時就已加入洪門，但真正開始積極參與堂所活動，歷任財政，理數等職，還是退休以後的事。由於她任勞任怨，把堂所財務整理得井井有條，堂所翻修工程也處理得宜，贏得堂所元老、監堂及一眾兄弟姐妹支持，獲推選成為波士頓洪門致公堂有史以來的首名女主席。

波士頓洪門慶新春的特色之一，就是洪字紮綠唄。
(周菊子攝)

在新春晚宴致詞中，波士頓洪門的首名女主席余麗媖表示，洪門一向致力促進僑社的安定，繁榮，團結，以及公益事業。更講究兄弟手足之間的和諧，見義勇為，在豬年新春伊始之際，她代表洪門兄弟祝福僑社豬年鴻運當頭，財源廣進如流，老少平安大吉，手足們風雨同路。

當晚到會祝賀的嘉賓，包括麻州眾議員黃子安，波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，全美安良總理陳仕維，以及當晚因為出席華埠體的發展會議而遲到的紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊。

洪門副盟長謝仲安(右起)，主席余麗媖，經文處
處長徐佑典，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉。(周菊子攝)

洪門自家兄弟，有全美洪門總理李偉強，盟長謝仲安，元老朱傑概、伍伯和，財政袁燦章，顧問李庭信，總幹事李志聯，總外交專員黃敬文，波士頓監堂阮振強，顧問余共才，前任主席陳偉雄，鄺國添等人在座。

經文處長徐佑典當晚強調洪門從中華民國建立之初，就持續不懈的支持，他特地製作，送出感謝狀，聊表心意。會上，黃子安，愛德華費林也分別頒發了表揚狀。

波士頓洪門主席余麗媖(前左二)，副盟長謝仲安(後左二)，
顧問余共才(後左一)，與僑團首長嘉賓們，前排左起，
李壽泮，黃賢池，黃國威，後排右起，伍輝民，伍煥華。
(周菊子攝)

每年波士頓洪門致公堂慶新春，洪青紅白綠紫黑的五頭瑞獅，鑼鼓喧天的採青獻桔，聲勢最是壯大。五頭瑞獅紛紛從鑲滿”綠背(美鈔)”的大紅洪字中，採青，拔綠背的動作，更是搶鏡。

當晚由陳國漢，陳國航擔任司儀，請來新節奏樂隊演唱，副主席梅少華致謝詞之後，會眾、嘉賓舉箸碰杯，輪番上台卡拉OK。

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典(中)頒發感謝狀，波士頓洪門
主席余麗媖(左起)，監堂阮振強，元老伍伯和，主席
梅少華聯袂領取。(周菊子攝)

麻州眾議員黃子安(右二)頒發州議會表揚狀，洪門主席
余麗媖(左起)，監堂阮振強，主席梅少華代表領取。
(周菊子攝)

鄺炎彬(右)等人在洪門春宴上負責接待。(周菊子攝)

來自紐約的嘉賓。(周菊子攝)

洪門總外交專員陳光劍(左起)，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，
波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉。(周菊子攝)

兩名波士頓洪門前主席，左起，陳偉雄，鄺國添，
和洪青伍少武。(周菊子攝)

波士頓洪門致公堂的洪青五頭瑞獅。(周菊子攝)

全美洪門總理李偉強高舉洪字，接受五頭瑞獅祝福。
(周菊子攝)

瑞獅向嘉賓致敬。(周菊子攝)

洪門。(周菊子攝)

波士頓洪青體育會的舞獅表演每年都很精彩。(周菊子攝)

兩名洪門主席，余麗媖(右三)，梅少華(右一)代表洪門
封利是給廣教學校，僑立學校，以及醫院等機構。
(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊拜年。(周菊子攝)

華美銀行協助商業客戶設定行動支付服務

【洛杉磯訊】近期，知名調研機構尼爾森（Nielsen）與中國最主要的第三方支付平台之一支付寶（Alipay）聯合發佈《2018年中國行動支付境外旅遊市場發展與趨勢白皮書》。報告指出，行動支付已成為中國境外旅遊者首選的付款方式之一，2018年的交易額首次超過現金支付，而越來越多的海外商家也開始接受中國的行動支付解決方案。為此，華美銀行進一步優化全球交易服務能力，為美國的商業客戶提供使用微信支付（WeChat Pay）與支付寶的機會，協助其提升市場競爭力，聯繫中國消費者，開啟更多商機。華美銀行也是少數幾間能為商業客戶提供此類行動支付使用機會的美國銀行之一。

華美銀行始終致力於為客戶提供超越一般銀行的卓越服務。行動支付解決方案操作簡便、價格優惠，不僅有助于商家實現發展目標，且為中國消費者提供支付便利。歡迎您蒞臨華美銀行位於全美各地的分行瞭解更多服務詳情。

華美銀行（股票代號EWBC）現為全美以華裔為主要市場規模最大的商業銀行，總資產達4百10億美元。今年，該行以強勁的營運表現獲評《富比士》「全美百強銀行」（Forbes America’s Best Banks）第八名，並自2010年起，始終位居該榜單前十五名。華美銀行在美國和大中華地區共有超過130處服務網絡，美國市場主要分佈於加州、喬治亞州、內華達州、紐約、麻薩諸塞州、德州以及華盛頓州；在大中華地區，華美銀行在香港、上海、汕頭和深圳都設有全方位服務的銀行，在北京、重慶、廣州、台北及廈門亦設有辦事處。此外，華美銀行並以中英雙語網路銀行、自動電話銀行及行動銀行提供全天24小時的銀行服務。有關華美銀行相關資料，可在該行網址 www.eastwestbank.com 查閱。(華美銀行提供)

瑞雪兆豐年 波士頓今日一片白

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 人們才剛說波士頓今年沒降多少雪，老天爺馬上顯顏色，3月3日晚到今晨(4日)，有些地方積雪高達14吋。波士頓市一大早七點多，連忙發佈消息，降雪量遠超預期，今天市府關門。

不像前幾次的飄雪，降雪，全都是輕飄飄，鬆軟軟的雪花，從昨晚就開始下的雪，這回又濕又重，可能壓斷很多樹枝及電線杆。麻州緊急管理局(Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency)已經報告，今早8點，有11,958戶人家停電了。

麻州許多學校，昨晚已經宣佈，今天(4日)停課。

根據國家氣象局的預報，波士頓地區截至今早6點，已經積雪一英呎。屋斯特郡宣稱那兒的降雪量最多，Uxbridge高達15英吋，Mendon高達10英寸。

國家氣象局早前已經發佈冬季雪警報，麻州東部要一直持續到今早10點，波士頓地區大概早上7點，雪就停了。一旦濕氣散去後，大部分地區的氣溫會從零下回升到華氏40度左右。

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)昨晚已經宣佈，非緊急州府員工，可以延遲到11點再上班。他和麻州交通廳都說，這樣方便鏟雪工人清理道路。

今早有MBTA巴士需要從法蘭克林大道那被拖走。

MBTA表示，地鐵及渡輪今日照常營運，但勸乘客在交通上預留更多時間。

波士頓市府今早宣佈，市府及公共圖書館今日關門。波士頓公校昨日下午就已發出今日停課消息。

MBTA要漲價6.3% 公聽會上一片韃伐聲

波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)在公聽會後接受記者採訪。

(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) MBTA的漲價公聽會，2月27日晚在麻州運輸大樓吸引了近100多百民眾出席，其中約58人獲得發言機會，一面倒地要求MBTA探討其他方法來增加收入，根本不需要漲價。

管理地鐵營運的麻州灣區公路局(MBTA)在1月28日時宣佈，打算漲價6.3%，估計可增加收入3250萬元，一旦通過，將可從今年7月1日起生效。

超過100名來自麻州各地的民眾，出席MBTA公聽會。
(周菊子攝)

MBTA認為，州法規定MBTA每兩年可小幅漲價，每次漲幅不超過7%，該局這次提出的漲價幅度，符合州法規定，也與波士頓地區通貨膨脹幅度相應，收入將用以改善營運服務。在3月7日前，該局陸續舉辦公聽會，並在網上接受民眾置評。

波士頓不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)在2月27日於麻州運輸大樓舉行的公聽會中，第一個陳情。反對地鐵漲價，籲請MBTA給學生，耆英，青少年發行一整年有效，不限使用次數的乘車證(pass)。吳弭在陳情之前，早於1月31日就在波士頓環球報上發表了一篇呼籲地鐵免費的評論文章，藉由臉書，電子郵件，表達她的反對漲價意見，還親自到三個不同的地鐵站派發傳單，並收集到2800多個請願簽名。

愛默生學院學生Brady Boca白天在地鐵發傳單，晚上
出席公聽會。支持反對地鐵漲價行動。(周菊子攝)

吳弭在公聽會後回應記者們的提問時表示，波士頓市議會為這事也舉行了公聽會，她的市議員同事們幾乎都簽署了反對地鐵漲價的請願。市議員們也討論了波士頓市府可以做些什麼，包括市府每年撥給MBTA的8500萬元，是否還應繼續。

吳弭指出，MBTA應該考慮可以持續的收入來源，而不是不斷的一再漲價。這些來源包括採用更智慧的公路收費設備，提高諸如優步(Uber)，來福(Lyft)共乘車輛需繳交的附加費，提高汽油稅等，不一而足。

她也提議進一步重訂通勤火車收費的區域劃分，把整個波士頓市劃為同一個1A區。

Frank Emanuele出席陳情，強調MBTA應重視乘客安全。
(周菊子攝)

根據吳弭辦公室發佈的新聞稿，波士頓市議會13名市議員中的12人，包括陳翟蘇妮(Sonia Chang Diaz)等多名州議員，政要，都簽署了她的請願信，向MBTA提出取消以距離訂收費價格，限制了貧苦人民在不同地區自由移動，爭取改善經濟情況的機會等等要求。

當晚出席公聽會的民眾，來自麻州各地，不少人表示看到吳弭在臉書上的貼文，才知道MBTA有這公聽會。他們從各人搭車經驗指證，加價只會讓許多小市民生活更艱難，對地鐵當局卻並無大用。

住在南端，搭銀線巴士的Jonathon Alves也指陳，一份地鐵當局自己的報告就有顯示，只要汽油稅提高一分錢，地鐵收入的增加就會遠超過漲價可得的3200萬元。

MBTA主持公聽會。(周菊子攝)

從1990年以來，麻州只在2013年漲過一次汽油稅。目前的汽油稅為每加侖26.54分錢。

一名家住塞冷鎮(Salem)，每天搭通勤火車進波士頓公做的Frank Emanuele在陳情時表示，一週五天中有四天，他搭的106線火車都擠滿了人，乘客多到被迫站在標明了”乘客在行車之中，不可站立此區”的地方。在MBTA無法照顧的乘客安全時，就談漲價，他實在無法接受。

MBTA在3月7日前還有4場公聽會，其中3月7日有一場市在波士頓城中心。MBTA董事會預定在3月12日開會，投票表決漲價等地鐵營運方案。

AG’S OFFICE TO HOST EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE FOR NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK

AG’S OFFICE TO HOST EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE FOR NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK

Staff to Educate Consumers on Identity Theft, Online Safety, Auto Laws, and Consumer Scams

BOSTON – In celebration of the 21st annual National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced a series of events designed to help empower and educate Massachusetts residents.

“The AG’s Office advocates for consumers every day, arming them with the tools they need to make informed decisions and protect themselves from bad actors,” said AG Healey. “This month, we will travel throughout the state to meet with consumers, teach them about their rights, and connect them with the resources we have available through our office.”

During National Consumer Protection Week, the AG’s Office will offer consumer education events across the state on topics ranging from consumer awareness, scams, senior consumer rights, and auto laws. A complete list of consumer protection events being held throughout March is available here.

Each year, the AG’s Office provides direct assistance to thousands of consumers across Massachusetts. AG Healey’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division (CARD) directly assists consumers by answering questions, offering referrals to appropriate organizations or government agencies, working with businesses to resolve disputes, and providing information on other available services and community-based consumer programs.

In 2018, CARD worked on more than 34,000 cases, and either directly or through its partnerships with local consumer programs helped secured more than $3.7 million in relief for consumers. Some examples of consumer assistance provided by the AG’s Office in 2018 include:

• Assisting an elderly consumer facing foreclosure. CARD staff successfully got the foreclosure date postponed and provided the consumer with time to apply for a loan modification.
• Helping to clear a consumer of a fraudulent wireless phone bill totaling nearly $5,300. The consumer was contacted by the carrier for more than a year even though he repeatedly told them that he never had an account with them. With CARD’s assistance, the carrier confirmed that the consumer did not owe the debt and corrected his credit.
• Assisting in getting an auto purchase rescinded after a consumer discovered within days of purchasing it that her car was a lemon. CARD contacted the finance company that originated the auto loan, and the company unwound the deal, offered to correct the consumer’s credit report, and ceased doing business with the dealership.
• Coordinating the delivery of 100 gallons of oil, paid for by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands Inc. and delivered by Guard Oil, to a senior without heat. Guard Oil also serviced the furnace at no charge.
• Working with a hotel chain to compensate consumers after a spa in one of their Boston locations closed abruptly. Consumers who filed complaints with the AG’s Office received credits at the spa slated to replace the one that closed or at the hotel for a total value of $6,158. 

In addition to direct assistance, the AG’s Office investigates and litigates violations of the state’s consumer protection laws. In 2018, the AG’s Office securedrefunds for 20,000 consumers from Comcast, $4 million in relief from a national mortgage servicing company, $450,000 in restitution and penalties from used auto dealership in Westport, and nearly $50,000 for student borrowers from a student loan “debt relief” company that charged unnecessary and unlawful fees. 

Consumers with problems are encouraged to contact CARD’s consumer specialists at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint on the AG’s website. The AG’s Office also has an Elder Hotline at 888-243-5337, which operates as part of CARD and is staffed by trained specialists who are knowledgeable about problems that are more common for older Massachusetts residents. The AG’s Office also encourages student borrowers to contact the Student Loan Assistance Unit at 888-830-6277 for help.

風雪太大 波士頓市政府今早宣佈關門

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF CITY HALL AND BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY DUE TO WINTER STORM

Boston Public Schools are also closed today

BOSTON - Monday, March 4, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the closure of City Hall due to more than anticipated snow that came overnight, which has brought up to 14" of wet, heavy snow in parts of the city. Snow is expected to continue falling over the course of the early morning. City Hall will be closed for normal business operations, as well as the Boston Public Library. For City of Boston employees, only public safety, emergency management and snow operations personnel are required to report to work. Boston Centers for Youth & Families Centers (BCYF) will remain open today. Boston's Public Works Department currently has 660 pieces of equipment clearing snow, which will be followed this afternoon by treating roadways with salt. The Public Works Department currently has 26,000 tons of salt on hand. When shoveling snow, residents are reminded not to throw snow onto the street, and to shovel out catch basins and fire hydrants. There is currently no parking ban or snow emergency in effect. "We are encouraging residents to use caution when traveling, assist older neighbors and those who are disabled, and keep up with the shoveling of their property throughout the storm," said Mayor Walsh. "We ask that residents and businesses do their part, including shoveling their sidewalks and walkways, to ensure safety for all. Please remember to abide by the snow rules, stay off the roads and be safe." Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and utilize Boston's 311 call center for non-emergency related issues. To find out more information about resources and services available to residents, please visit boston.gov/snow Rules on Clearing Snow Property owners must clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight. Failure to comply will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement. Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited and will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement. Do not throw snow onto the street. Please look here for information about fines associated with improper removal of snow. As a reminder, no cars are allowed to park in Boston Public Schools parking lots during a snowstorm. Safety Tips Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious and pay attention to any health symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheaded, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion. Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for walkers and drivers. Please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility. Pedestrians should use caution as visibility will be diminished due to blowing and drifting of the snow caused by high winds. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators. Residents should be sure to use their home heating systems wisely and safety, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Call 911 immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Sitting in a car while idling can be deadly if the tailpipe is blocked. Do not let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear any household exhaust pipes of snow. For example, gas exhaust from heating system or dryer. Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear. Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled. Have a contractor check the roof to see if snow needs to be removed. If roof snow can be removed from the ground with the use of a snow-rake, do so with caution. Avoid working from ladders and be mindful of slippery surfaces. Helping the Homeless If you see homeless individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. Please ask them if they need assistance. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates two emergency shelters at 112 Southampton St. and 794 Massachusetts Ave. open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BPHC is working closely with a network of shelter providers to ensure there is adequate shelter, food, and a warm respite from the cold. Street outreach teams providing recovery services, including the Engagement Center behind 112 Southampton St., remain operating as normal during winter weather. More information available here. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts and to call 311, download the BOS:311 app, or tweet at @BOS311 with questions or concerns. Follow @CityofBoston and visit boston.gov/snow for the latest updates.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross to Read to First Graders at Roxbury’s Tobin School in Read to a Child® Event

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross to Read to First Graders at Roxbury’s Tobin School in Read to a Child^® Event

 

Event Launches New Initiative to Pair Boston Police Officers and Cadets with Elementary School Children to Build Trust and Ultimately Empower Boston Youth

 

Boston, MA, March 4, 2019 – National literacy and mentoring non-profit Read to a Child® announced today that on Friday, March 8 at 10AM, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross will read to the first grade at the Tobin K-8 School in Roxbury. This event will mark the beginning of a new initiative to pair Boston police officers and cadets with elementary school children as reading mentors in Read to a Child’s Lunchtime Reading Program.

At Friday’s event Commissioner Gross will be joined by Boston Police Superintendent Nora Baston, Commander of the Bureau of Community Engagement, and Read to a Child CEO, Paul Lamoureux, to highlight the importance of introducing police to children early in life and the value of strong police/community/non-profit partnerships to build trust, empower youth and help close the opportunity gap. Commissioner Gross will also have a lively Q&A with students both before and after he read Dr. Seuss’s ‘The Cat in the Hat.’

The Tobin K-8 School is one of 16 public schools in greater Boston where Read to a Child operates its Lunchtime Reading Program. Read to a Child enlists and manages a force of nearly 2,000 community and corporate volunteers from 124 organizations who visit urban elementary schools once a week and read aloud one-on-one to at-risk children during lunch. This time spent with a caring adult ignites a love of reading in struggling children, while providing students with the skills and self-confidence to succeed in school and in life.

“Read to a Child’s community and corporate partnerships greatly benefit our students and enable our children to get the extra help and attention they need for a brighter future,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. “It is my goal to support the children in our communities by participating in the Lunchtime Reading Program and enabling students and police officers to get to know each other earlier in a child’s life. Relationships are key to building trust. Our officers work hard every day to create and strengthen relationships with the community. It is clear to me that the relationships that develop with the children in the Lunchtime Reading Program will greatly benefit families and communities over time."

“Commissioner Gross’ commitment to building trust, improving communities and empowering Boston’s youth is evident,” said Read to a Child CEO, Paul Lamoureux. “The event at the Tobin School will highlight our mutual commitment to enlist police officers into the Lunchtime Reading Program and to create as many life-changing mentoring relationships as possible. It will be of tremendous value to children, police, schools, families and all community stakeholders to pair police officers with the hundreds of deserving children currently on our Lunchtime Reading Program waiting lists!”

“I deeply value our partnership with Read to a Child as I see the results of the dedicated mentors who come each week to read with our students," said Efrain Toledano, Tobin K-8 Principal. “Adding Boston Police Officers into the Lunchtime Reading Program mix will not only enable more of our children to develop a love of reading, but as part of the mentoring relationships that develop, our student’s attitudes towards the police will also improve. This will inevitably be a great benefit to our students and the entire community.” 

Friday’s event will also highlight the necessity to fund creative mentoring initiatives and coincides with Read to a Child's annual online fundraising campaign to ‘Help Kids in Need Love to Read.’ In March, Read to a Child’s goal is to raise $115,000 in order to support 7,200 reading sessions for ‘kids in need.’ All proceeds from the campaign will fund Read to a Child's Lunchtime Reading Program. For more information or to donate to ‘Help Kids in Need Love to Read,’ click here or visithttps://tinyurl.com/helpkidslovetoread.

Read to a Child’s corporate partners at the Tobin School that provide both financial support and more than 100 volunteer reading mentors include: ArcLight Capital Partners; Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Charles River Associates; Harvard School of Public Health; Partners HealthCare; Posternak, Blankstein & Lund, LLP; and Wayfair. Individuals, including retirees and community members, bring the number of Lunchtime Reading Program volunteers at the Tobin to more than125.