|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
人生一定要有的八個朋友: 推手(Builder)、 支柱(Champion)、 同好(Collaborator)、 夥伴(Companion)、 中介(Connector)、 開心果(Energizer)、 開路者(Mind Opener)、 導師(Navigator)。 chutze@bostonorange.com ******************* All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
購票觀眾可於10月30日(週五)至11月2日之間,在網上欣賞影片,另於11月1日(週日)美東時間晚上8點,在網上與導演鄭伯昱座談。哈佛大學東亞語言和文明系博士候選人,著有暢銷小說「永發街事」的陳濟舟將應邀與談。
「滿月酒」一片,劇本創作費時3年,2015年拍成,由徐立功監製、金馬影后歸亞蕾主演、鄭伯昱編導,在台美兩地取景。全片內容取材自導演鄭伯昱的親身經歷,描述觀念傳統的母親從最初的不能接受,到積極為兒子及其美籍伴侶尋找代理孕母,歷經曲折的心理與實際歷程。
第二屆波士頓台灣影展的主題是「失落與尋回(Lost
and Found)」(Lost and Found),「滿月酒」一片所描繪的同志身分認同,母親接受兒子出櫃,兩人關係修復,攜手為組織新家庭努力,與影展主題十分切合。
影展工作人員表示,台灣經同志們奔走多年後,在2019年5月17日締造歷史,成為亞洲第一個同婚合法國家。波士頓台灣電影展很高興能抓住十月這全球同志歷史月的尾巴,選映「滿月酒」,還正好呼應10月31日台灣的將舉行第十八屆同志大遊行,或能促使更多人思考同志議題。
影片門票每張8元,查詢詳情,可上網,影展官網:https://www.taiwanfilmfest.org/
臉書:http://www.facebook.com/taiwanfilmfestival.boston/,購票網址:https://www.taiwanfilmfest.org/buy-tickets。
(Boston Orange 綜合報導)麻州政府今(22)日宣佈撥備5080萬元支援小企業及其員工、家人、社區。
這筆款項將由麻州成長資本局(Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation)負責管理,分成兩部分,員工人數在50人以下者,補助款最高發7萬5000元,可用於發放薪資,福利,償還貸款利息,付租金,水電費,或是其他債務的利息。員工人數少於5人的小企業,最高可申領2萬5000元。
這一補助款旨在幫助受新冠病毒疫情影響,由婦女,少數族裔,退伍軍人或社群代表不足者所經營,主要為麻州門戶城市服務,受打擊最嚴重,未取得其他和新冠病毒有關聯邦項目補助的小企業。
麻州成長資本局管理的這補助款今日起受理申請,直至11月13日止。
索取申請表格可上網https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/covid-19-grants-massachusetts-small-businesses。
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Partnerships for Recovery, $774 Million Economic Recovery Plan
BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a
$774 million comprehensive plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts
economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small
businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing
stability. Partnerships for Recovery begins today by directing $115 million in
new funding to small businesses and Main Streets hardest hit by the COVID-19
pandemic and for workforce training efforts. Additionally, the Administration
is aligning multiple funding sources, both existing and proposed, to
appropriately respond to the crisis.Governor Baker
Partnerships for Recovery supports five key recovery efforts:
Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, Labor and Workforce Secretary Rosalin Acosta, and Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan joined Joe Kriesberg, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations to announce the plan at the Gardner Auditorium.
“This plan represents a comprehensive strategy to get people back to work and to support the small businesses hit the hardest by the pandemic, putting the Commonwealth on a path to recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By leveraging existing tools and programs and implementing new ones this plan will allow us to make critical resources and assistance to those who need it most available now.”
“While we continue to combat this pandemic, this plan takes an approach that addresses key needs of the businesses in downtowns and main streets, provides housing support for vulnerable families, and opens new doors for people seeking to return to work,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “While we acknowledge we still have a ways to go, this plan will help to jumpstart our innovation economy and position Massachusetts to be on a path for success.”
Getting People Back to Work
In order to get people back to work, new investments are being made to build workforce skills, growing training programs and pathways, forging new partnerships between employers and workers, and supporting internet connectivity to facilitate remote work and online career advancement. The more than $25 million available now includes:
An additional $54 million is available to support workforce recovery efforts through existing programming such as the Skills Capital Grants program, the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and the Workforce Training Trust Fund.
Revised House 2 also proposes $17.9 million in workforce funding, including $8.4 million in funding to transform vocational high schools into Career Technical Institutes running three shifts per day. This initiative is designed to train 20,000 new workers over four years in skilled trades and technical fields including plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, and robotics. This will consist of a combination of enrolling more high school students in high-impact vocational trade programs and expanding capacity for adults to earn industry-based credentials, aligned to apprenticeships and post-secondary degrees.
"These funds will provide critical re-employment services to our workforce, helping people make the transition from unemployment benefits to good paying jobs in some of the Commonwealth's key long term job growth sectors," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta.
Direct Support to Small Business and Main Street
To generate economic growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and support Main Streets across Massachusetts, the Administration is investing $322.8 million in direct support of small and diverse businesses and local communities. This funding includes grants (see details below) to the hardest hit small businesses, especially small businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, or members of other underrepresented groups. These grant awards will allow small businesses to cover expenses such as rent, payroll, and utilities as they get back on their feet. Additional funding will support small businesses through hands-on and personalized technical assistance, including targeted support for women- and minority-owned businesses around digital and online technology as their business model pivots away from a brick-and-mortar location.
Many communities have seen their Main Streets and downtown districts hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and new funding aims to help cities and towns plan for short-term innovations and long-term recovery. A new $10 million round of the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program will continue to help cities and towns quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities. Separately, local recovery planning grants will soon be available to cities and towns to assist with long-term planning for their business districts. A total of $10 million is available for this program.
To support the museums and other cultural facilities that have faced a particularly challenging reality this year, but remain a cornerstone of what Massachusetts offers to visitors, these institutions will be eligible for $10 million in Cultural Facilities Operating Grants. This funding will help these organizations to make safety improvements and other upgrades to allow them to continue to offer their unique attractions and exhibits.
As part of this recovery plan, the Governor’s recently filed revised budget proposal recommends over $100 million in additional funding for economic recovery and development efforts, including $35 million for community development financial institutions (CDFI) grants and loans, and $15 million for matching grants for capital investments by businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Additionally, more than $115 million in existing capital through programs such as MassWorks, and those in the MassDevelopment portfolio (Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, Site Readiness Program, Transformative Development Initiative, and Collaborative Workspaces), will be leveraged in support of economic recovery. This recovery plan complements the Administration’s $275 million economic recovery package, which was announced in June.
Small Business and Main Street Highlights (new funding):
“Our current circumstances call for a plan with the size and scope to match the urgency we need to address the most pressing challenges we now face,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. “By targeting vital resources toward these key areas, this strategy will allow us to lay a solid foundation for our path to recovery.”
“During this unprecedented public health emergency, the Baker-Polito Administration is continuing to invest significant resources to support recovery and growth initiatives for small businesses and Main Streets across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “Through close coordination with federal, state, and local partners – including our Legislative colleagues – we are proud to put forth a plan that thoughtfully invests funds from multiple sources to equip employers with the tools, resources, and supports to help navigate the new COVID-19 landscape.”
“We greatly appreciate Governor Baker’s sense of urgency to move these grant dollars now, while also working with the Legislature to secure additional funds in the state budget and the economic development bill,” said Joseph Kriesberg, President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations and Board Member of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. “Small business owners have sacrificed to help keep all of us safe and healthy. This initiative is our opportunity to have their back.”
Additional Investments
In order to keep people safely in their homes during the pandemic and support small landlords with expenses, the Administration recently announced $171 million in support of the Eviction Diversion Initiative. This comprehensive strategy includes funding to help to cover housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments, invest in new programs around mediation and legal representation, and provide repaid rehousing when a tenant is evicted. Additionally, the Administration continues to invest in the Commonwealth’s stock of affordable rental housing with $121 million in direct subsidies.
Massachusetts has long been a hotbed of innovation and creativity in science and technology, and sectors such as the life sciences and advanced manufacturing are not only critical to the innovation economy, but also continue to contribute to the response to the coronavirus. To ensure we continue to lead in this space, $62 million in existing capital funding through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and MassVentures is available to support recovery and growth.
Small Business Grant Program Details
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is administering the Small Business Grants program, with $50.8 million available beginning today. Grant awards range between $25,000 – $75,000, and eligibility criteria and applications are available here.
As part of this grant program, preference is given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, members of other underrepresented groups, or focused on serving the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts, who have been unable to open and those most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference is also given to applicants that have not been able to receive aid from other federal programs, including PPP and other relief related to COVID-19.
The program has two distinct
funding “doors” based on business size, with different eligibility criteria,
which is available online.
Applicants must review the information to determine which program to proceed
with applying.
Roche announces collaboration with Atea Pharmaceuticals to develop a potential oral treatment for COVID-19 patients
Basel, 22
October 2020 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and Atea Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. announced today that they are joining forces in the fight against COVID-19
to develop, manufacture and distribute AT-527, Atea’s investigational oral
direct-acting antiviral, to people around the globe. AT-527 acts by blocking
the viral RNA polymerase enzyme needed for viral replication, and is currently
being studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial for hospitalised patients with
moderate COVID-19. A Phase 3 clinical trial, expected to start in Q1 2021, will
explore the potential use in patients outside of the hospital setting. In
addition, AT-527 may be developed for post-exposure prophylactic settings.
AT-527, while being a potential oral treatment option for hospitalised
patients, also holds the potential to be the first oral treatment option for
COVID-19 patients that are not hospitalised. Additionally, the
manufacturing process of small-molecule DAAs allows the ability to produce
large quantities of a much needed treatment. If successful, AT-527 could help
treat patients early, reduce the progression of the infection, and contribute
to decreasing the overall burden on health systems.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the clinical development and manufacturing
of AT-527, to investigate its safety and efficacy, and to provide this
potential treatment option to patients around the world as quickly as possible.
If AT-527 proves safe and effective in clinical trials and regulatory approvals
are granted, Atea will be responsible for distributing this treatment option in
the U.S, with the option to request Genentech’s support, and Roche will be
responsible for distribution outside the United States.
"The ongoing complexities of COVID-19 require multiple lines of defence.
By joining forces with Atea, we hope to offer an additional treatment option
for hospitalised and non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients, and to ease the burden
on hospitals during a global pandemic." said Bill Anderson, Chief
Executive Officer of Roche Pharmaceuticals. "In jointly developing and
manufacturing AT-527 at scale, we seek to make this treatment option available
to as many people around the world as we possibly can."
“Roche shares our passion for delivering innovative new medicines to address
great unmet medical needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent
need for a novel, oral antiviral to treat this highly infectious and often
deadly virus,” said Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and
Founder of Atea Pharmaceuticals. “AT-527 is expected to be ideally suited to
combat COVID-19 as it inhibits viral replication by interfering with viral RNA
polymerase, a key component in the replication machinery of RNA viruses.
Importantly, the manufacturing process for our small molecule direct-acting
antiviral allows us to produce AT-527 quickly and at scale.”
About AT-527
AT-527 is an investigational, oral, purine nucleotide prodrug, which has
demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity against several enveloped
single-stranded RNA viruses, including human flaviviruses and coronaviruses.
This highly selective purine nucleotide prodrug was designed to uniquely
inhibit viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme that is essential for the
replication of RNA viruses. Antiviral activity and safety of AT-527 has been
demonstrated in Phase 2 clinical studies of hepatitis C patients, and in
preclinical in-vitro assays with SARS-CoV2 virus. AT-527 is not yet
licensed or approved for any indication in the United States or any other
country.
About Roche’s response to
the COVID-19 pandemic
As a leading healthcare company we are doing all we can to support countries in
minimising the impact of COVID-19. We have developed a growing number of
diagnostic solutions that help to detect and diagnose the infection in
patients, as well as providing digital support to healthcare systems, and we
continue to identify, develop and support potential therapies which can play a
role in treating the disease.
We understand the impact of COVID-19 goes beyond those who contract it, which
is why we are working with healthcare providers, laboratories, authorities and
organisations to help make sure that patients continue to receive the tests,
treatment and care they need during these challenging times. As we learn from
the pandemic, we are partnering with governments and others to make healthcare
stronger and more sustainable in the future.
Our diagnostics solutions:
Reliable, high-quality testing is essential to help healthcare systems overcome
this pandemic. Our portfolio includes:
Boston Marathon Fundraising Surpasses $400 Million Milestone
$32.1
million raised for charity programs through the 2020 Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience
BOSTON –The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that $32.1 million was raised for 242 non-profit organizations surrounding the 2020 Boston Marathon and Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. With this year’s funds raised, the B.A.A. Official Charity Program and John Hancock’s Non-Profit Program have combined to surpass the $400 million milestone raised since the charity program’s inception at the 1989 Boston Marathon.
Total funds raised include donations raised through the B.A.A.’s Official Charity Program, the John Hancock Non-Profit Program, and from other qualified and invitational runners.
“In a year when runners and supporters have faced countless challenges, all have remained determined to finish strong and make a difference within the community,” said B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk. “We are immensely proud of each and every participant whose fundraising contributions will serve a meaningful purpose supporting 242 non-profit and charity organizations. To achieve the $400 million milestone in total funds raised adds even more meaning to this year’s event, where Boston Marathoners brought the spirit of Boston to the world.”
“The Boston Marathon is a tradition in this city; it is the oldest, the toughest and the most iconic. We’re proud to be part of the race’s history and community impact as part of our 35-year partnership,” said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO of John Hancock. “Although this year’s race was different, runners came together to cross their own finish lines and collectively lift up each other and the non-profits they represent. The $400 million milestone is an example of what’s possible when we come together to foster healthier, more equitable communities, and we thank everyone who made this milestone a reality.”
Every year, the B.A.A. provides each non-profit associated with the Official Charity Program and John Hancock’s Non-Profit Program with invitational entries into the Boston Marathon. Each non-profit organization directly manages its own application process, athlete selection, and fundraising minimums, deadlines, and requirements.
The 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience featured more than 16,000 finishers from 83 countries and all 50 states. Participants had ten days to cover 26.2-miles in one continuous run within their neighborhood to earn their B.A.A. unicorn medal and be recognized as a Boston Marathon finisher. The 2020 Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20 and postponed to September 14, was ultimately cancelled in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2019, a race-record $38.7 million was raised for charity, surpassing the previous fundraising record of $38.4 million set in 2014. More information can be found on the B.A.A. Official Charity Program and the John Hancock Non-Profit Program.
![]() |
麻州州長Charlie Baker(左)和塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll勸民眾今年萬聖節別進塞冷市。 (周菊子攝) |
塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll表示,每年萬聖節,大概都有5萬到6萬人湧入塞冷市過萬聖節,塞冷市也推出各式各樣活動以表歡迎,但今年情況不一樣,塞冷市怕人潮大批湧入,可能加劇新冠病毒疫情,逼使該市全面關閉,因而採取預防措施,不但全面取消所有萬聖節活動,還規定戴口罩,遊客進城得填報旅客表,火車也將過站不停。
Kim Driscoll強調,塞冷市今年沒有舞台,沒有街頭表演,沒有啤酒花園,沒有DJs,沒有煙火,而且他們希望沒有「群眾」。塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll說明該市將要求店家,停車場提早關門。(周菊子攝)
為打消民眾在萬聖節期間去塞冷市的念頭,該市要求市中心商家在10月23日,24日,以及10月30日,31日這幾天,晚上8點就提早關門。
塞冷市的市營停車場也將在10月23日的下午2點以後,以及10月24,25,30,31,以及11月1日這幾天的中午12點開始,就不准車輛進入。市府也將要求所有私營停車場在前述時間內關閉。
麻州鐵路系統(MBTA)的通勤火車(Commuter Rail)也將在未來的2個週末,調整行程,跳過塞冷站。麻州州長Cahrlie Baker稱讚塞冷市防疫工作做得好。(周菊子攝)
在10月23日及30日的晚上7點至11點半之間,從波士頓出發的通勤火車,將不停賽冷站。在10月24日,25日及31日的早上11點至晚上11點,從波士頓出發的火車,也會跳過塞冷站不停。麻州州長查理貝克說,從塞冷市進波士頓市的火車,將不受影響。MBTA也將設法確保必要工作人員可以得到某些交通服務。
塞冷市長早前宣佈,儘管州長已授權重新開放經濟活動,但該市決定暫時不跨這一步。她們也取消了所有的遊行,節慶大活動,禁止城中區的街頭表演,也停止了所有的宣傳,還在城中區劃定「必須戴口罩區」,也要求所有在塞冷市過夜的旅客填報本地旅客表。
麻州州長查理貝克還提醒民眾,如果真要讓小孩子玩「不給糖就搗蛋(Trick-or-treat)」遊戲,記得給小孩戴口罩,提醒他們動作要快,要保持安全距離,而且最好準備大型,一根式棒棒糖之類的糖果,不要把一塊塊的糖果放在袋子裏,讓小孩子伸手去抓,以儘量避免病毒傳染。
紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴主持「蔬福美食」講座。(周菊子攝) |
礙於新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情,還未消散,紐英崙客家鄉親會透過網路聚會。久未見面的鄉親,18日這天下午非常興奮,在會長宋玉琴提前開通的網路聚會室中寒暄,談起你家,我家種的苦瓜,冬瓜長得如何。前任會長周一男分享收成後切片冰凍,過冬時炒來吃一樣脆的心得。曾任會長的曾秀梅說起另一名前會長陳裕逢種的福瓜,今年豐收,有瓜苗可分。一眾鄉親暢談,十分溫馨。
客家鄉親們參加活動。 |
張秀玲針對冬天即將來到,設計並示範了芝麻雙薑醬、桂圓紅棗枸杞薑醬以及木耳露這3種料理的材料與做法。在示範講解時,她指出做薑醬,最好用比較乾瘦的薑,才容易保存得久,如果裝罐的玻璃瓶用熱水殺菌,封存妥當,甚至可保存半年以上。隨時泡來喝,有助身體的氣血流動。
客家鄉親們參加活動。 |
紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴在會末表示,11月將舉辦「從歷史看客家人健康」的講座。
張秀玲示範「薑的料理」。(周菊子攝) |