新英格蘭學聯迎新 青春氣息洋溢

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會迎新開派對。 (僑教中心提供)

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會會長蔡朗安(右二)、迎新主持人解晉維(左二)歡迎
波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右三)、教育組組長黃薳玉(右一)、科技組組長
蔡孟勳(左三)，僑教中心主任潘昭榮 (左一)到場。 (周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會(FTSANE) 9月9日在波士頓僑教中心舉辦秋季迎新派對，駐波士頓經文處長官紛紛到會，和新一屆8個組別的24名幹部，以及60多名出席同學交流，為新學年奠定互相扶持，排解思鄉情懷的基礎。

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會幹部和經文處長官合影。經文處處長
廖朝文(後中)，教育組組長黃薳玉(左五)，科技組組長蔡孟勳(左四)。
(周菊子攝)

              從2006年創立迄今，新英格蘭學聯已經邁入第17個年頭。今年的會長是學聯的上屆副會長，從德州A&M大學電機工程系畢業後，來麻州Maxlinear擔任工程師的蔡朗安，副會長是即將從東北大學電機工程系畢業的李承訓。

               經過今年2月的職涯會議，4月的CSI科技集團職業講座，隨新手做幸福廚房 (Abbey’s Kitchen) 支援的跨校聯合派對後，臺學聯從6月開始招募幹部，吸引到一半仍在學，一半甫就業的共24人加入活動、藝術及設計，市場行銷及社交媒體、公關、秘書、科技及網站、財務及會計，影片製作等8個組別的服務團隊，迎接新年度。

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會今年的正副會長為蔡朗安(右)，李承訓(左)。(周菊子攝)

             駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏、科技組組長蔡孟勳，教育組組長黃薳玉、僑教中心主任潘昭榮這天都特地出席，和同學們親切寒暄互動，鼓勵同學們利用學聯這平台，廣交朋友，增長見聞，累積甜蜜生活歷練。他們也都提醒同學，一旦遭遇狀況，要記得馬上聯絡經文處。

              潘昭榮主任提醒同學們，9月16日在波士頓華埠有臺灣夜市的活動。他還說明僑委會宣導性平，呼籲人們尊重彼此，遭遇騷擾要勇於說不並檢舉。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏致詞。 (僑教中心提供)

              黃薳玉組長更是特別提醒同學們慎防詐騙。她透露，一名原本在上海念書，現在來東北大學進修的臺商子弟，就在迎新活動的前幾天，被騙鉅款，向經文處求救。黃組長提醒同學們，接收到任何訊息或電話，務必記得先冷靜下來，找自己信任的人一起處理，就可減少被騙的機會。

教育組組長黃薳玉提醒同學慎防詐騙。 (僑教中心提供)

              這天的迎新，由活動組的解晉維主持，在介紹贊助商Montivista、Candice專業留學考試家教，以及飯糰外賣後，有波士頓龍舟隊營運長邱偉哲和李承哲做介紹，匯報該隊剛贏得羅德島州龍舟賽冠軍，另爭取到代表美國明年到義大利參加龍舟賽的資格，歡迎喜歡交朋友、划龍舟的人加入該隊，明年一起去義大利。

              臺學聯在迎新後，將於9月23日和經文處教育組合辦各校學生會聯席會議，10月7日上午11點，參加慶祝雙十國慶的遊行、升旗典禮。臺學聯會長蔡朗安和副會長李承訓表示，迎新活動的影片在影片製作組剪輯後，將上傳Youtube頻道，https://youtube.com/@ftsane2127?si=2byis0fBOiNfCxm8，以及臺學聯的臉書籍IG，歡迎各校同學和學聯聯繫。

科技組組長蔡孟勳提醒同學關注國科會等機構的研究計畫補助，人才培養計畫。
 (僑教中心提供)

僑教中心主任潘昭榮代表僑委會歡迎新生到波士頓求學。
 (僑教中心提供)

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會迎新聚餐。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣龍舟隊營運長邱偉哲(右)和李承哲(左)歡迎有意者加入龍舟隊。
(周菊子攝)

學聯幹部討論活動議程。(周菊子攝)

迎新活動中備受喜愛的額外嘉賓。(周菊子攝)

州長Healey宣佈麻州洪災嚴重進入緊急狀況

  Governor Healey Declares State of Emergency Over Catastrophic Flood Damage   

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to the catastrophic flash flooding and property damage caused by Monday night’s powerful rainstorm in Worcester County, Bristol County and other communities. Upwards of 10 inches of rain fell in Worcester and Bristol Counties, causing widespread flooding, downed trees, power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, including bridges, dams and train tracks. 

At Governor Healey’s direction, state agencies have been on the ground assisting impacted communities, including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Massachusetts State Police (MSP), Department of Fire Services (DFS), Department of Conversation & Resources (DCR), Office of Dam Safety (ODS), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). 

“Today I saw firsthand the devastating impacts of severe flooding in Leominster and North Attleborough – and it was painfully clear that Massachusetts is in a state of emergency. This declaration will expedite our efforts to deliver relief to impacted communities and bolster our ability to access federal resources,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful for the public officials who have been going above and beyond to respond to this emergency and our hearts are with the people of Massachusetts who are confronting catastrophic damage to their homes, businesses and communities.” 

“As a former Mayor, I know how devastating it is when severe weather damages your community, and I know how much municipalities rely on the support of their state and federal partners,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to standing up for the people of Massachusetts and not only delivering the relief they need, but also helping them build resiliency to prepare for future emergencies.” 

The emergency declaration gives the Governor the authority to issue recommendations, directives and orders necessary to protect the health, safety and security of Massachusetts residents and their property. The declaration facilitates the state’s efforts to respond to the emergency, including expediting the use of state resources and bolstering the state’s ability to access federal and interstate resources and assistance. 

MEMA staff have been on the ground in impacted communities since Monday, working around the clock to support the local emergency operations centers, coordinating requests for assistance and securing thousands of sandbags to minimize the impact on communities. MEMA also coordinated additional staffing for the shelters, facilitated the procurement of sign boards, cots, and shelter equipment to support individuals with disabilities. 

 

“With more rain in the forecast for Wednesday, additional flooding is expected that may compound lingering impacts from Monday’s storm,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “MEMA continues to work side-by-side with our local emergency management partners, and I urge residents to stay informed with the latest weather updates.” 

“In the past few months, we’ve seen dramatic swings in weather. This is climate change, and it’s important for our administration to be there to help communities adapt to these impacts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We’re zeroing in on our resilience approach, which includes collaborating with communities, weaving in environmental justice, and taking action to prepare for future significant weather events.”

 

“Our Office of Dam Safety team has been on the ground in Leominster since last night, working closely with state and local emergency management officials to inspect and assess the safety of over half of the dams in the city following the intense flooding from yesterday’s severe rainfall,” said Department of Conservation & Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Our team identified that the Barrett Park Dam suffered serious damage due to overtopping and coordinated with the city to quickly find solutions to repair the damaged embankment. We will continue to work with the city and other dam owners to provide any technical assistance as needed.” 

“MassDOT and MBTA personnel are ready and prepared to support infrastructure repairs and damage assessments from flooding for bridges, roadways and train corridors,” said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “MBTA General Manager Phil Eng was onsite near North Leominster Station and is working closely with Keolis to install a pipe to channel water under the tracks, rebuild the embankment and get commuter rail service restored. Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver has met with crews involved with emergency repairs and with crews deployed to support temporary traffic control measures for road closures. Our workforce will continue to collaborate with municipalities as communities recover from the severe weather impacts.” 

璞石請出「嫦娥奔月」攜手FASCA和波士頓慈濟人文學校展示中華文化

璞石中華文化工作室的路永宜(左起)、李玉瑛、徐中欣，郭瑞欣、
李淑玲、黃明嘉、王明德、馮文鸞、謝如鍵、許淑芬﹑王月娥、
高孝君等人為璞石擺攤位。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 璞石中華文化工作室受波士頓僑教教中心之託，9月9日下午和波士頓海外青年大使協會，慈濟人文學校臺灣華語文學習中心合作，舉辦「中華文化導覽日」，以「嫦娥奔月」的皮影戲為主軸，讓人在會場遊逛一圈就已經能夠感受到中華文化之豐碩、美麗。

              璞石的這場「嫦娥奔月」皮影戲，全由璞石人自編、自導、自製。玩偶是郭瑞新做的，劇本是路永宜和李玉瑛編寫的，英文解說詞是高孝君整理的，演出時，由李玉瑛、許淑芬操作皮偶，路永宜唸中文旁白，高孝君唸英文旁白，謝如鍵和馮文鸞一旁協助，路永宜還粉墨登場的穿上戲服，在講到后羿射日的段落時，站到皮偶戲棚前，拉弓向天射箭，場景感十足。

波士頓海外青年文化大使們擺出「臺灣擲筊問事」、
「富貴西巴樂」等攤位。(周菊子攝)

              在會場的攤位上，璞石還安排了王明德、徐中欣教做燈籠，郭瑞欣、王月娥教做扇子，黃明嘉和李淑玲教寫書法，再請出正心茶坊的姜斌擺出小茶壺，示範茶道。

              波士頓海外青年大使協會在導師呂宗禧指導，Weston高中11年級的會長吳慧柔率領下，擺出攤位，介紹「臺灣擲筊問事」、「富貴西巴樂」的習俗，宣傳臺灣在支援世界 (Taiwan Can Help)，聲援臺灣加入聯合國，並以海報述說臺灣的地理位置，氣候，自然環境，有國際導演李安等名人等關於臺灣的細節之事。

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏(左一)和陳裕逢(右三)等志工擺出攤位，
介紹該校已加入華語文學習中心行列。(周菊子攝)

                           波士頓慈濟人文學校有校長彭淑敏率領老師宋永騏和志工陳裕逢、高金花、陳郁香等人介紹該校已於2023年加入臺灣華語文學習中心，為需求不同的各類人提供學習華語文的途徑。

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏參加北一女校友會年度野餐聚會後，和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮一同來到「中華文化導覽日」現場，感謝各組織為宣揚中華文化付出心力。

波士頓慈濟的高金花(右)和陳郁香(左)也到會場幫忙。
(周菊子攝)

麻州新設戶外康樂辦公室 首屆主任Paul Jahnige

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Names Director of Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation

BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper today announced the appointment of Paul Jahnige as the first Director of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR). The EEA established the Office in December 2022 to elevate and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts and the associated benefits to our economy, health, environment, and quality of life. Jahnige will work alongside state agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership (MMP), and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT). He starts on September 25th. 

 

“Massachusetts has exceptional beaches, trails, and parks, and it’s critical they’re accessible and available to all residents. Paul Jahnige will be instrumental in advancing transformative outdoor recreational opportunities across the state, with a focus on equity,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “His experience demonstrates his commitment to merging recreation with stewardship and conservation, which will shape our environmental landscape for generations.”

 

“I’m honored and excited to step into this new role as the Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to take meaningful action in preserving and protecting our natural resources for all residents to enjoy all year long,” added Jahnige. “Outdoor recreation is not only critical for our physical, mental, and social health but also for Massachusetts’ economic health. I look forward to working alongside other state agencies, private and non-profit partners to get people outside to play in Massachusetts.” 

 

About Paul Jahnige

 

Paul Jahnige comes from the DCR, where he recently served as the Greenways and Trails Program Director. He has twenty-five years of experience working in environmental restoration and community development. Following a Masters in Environmental Studies from Yale and overseas work in Ecuador and Kenya, Paul founded Community Resources, an urban environmental non-profit that develops programs in minority, low-income communities across cities in the Mid-Atlantic. He is an outdoorsman and youth coach who lives in Williamsburg with his wife and three children.

 

Statements of Support

 

Natalie Blais, Massachusetts State Representative (D-Sunderland)

 

“Outdoor recreation builds awareness about the environment around us, strengthens local economies, and improves health outcomes. Paul has dedicated his career to enhancing and expanding outdoor recreational activities for the residents of Massachusetts and is uniquely qualified to advance the goals of this new office. The Healey Administration could not have made a better choice for the Commonwealth’s very first Director of Outdoor Recreation and I look forward to working with Paul in this exciting new endeavor.”

 

Jennifer Ryan, Deputy Director of Advocacy, Charles River Watershed Association 

 

“The importance of outdoor recreation cannot be overstated––thriving parks, forests, and rivers create healthier communities, sustain local economies, protect our natural and cultural resources, bolster climate resilience, and foster deep care and concern for our shared environment. Bringing a strong background in greenways and trails, urban forestry, and community organizations, we applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration's appointment of Paul Jahnige as the first Director of the newly created Office of Outdoor Recreation, and we look forward to working with him to improve public access and community connections to the Charles River and ensure its flourishing for generations to come.”

波士頓市議會 9/12 初選 第3567等四個選區有競爭

               (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 9月12日是2023年波士頓市議會議員選舉的初選日，各席位得票最高的2名候選人，將於11月7日一決勝負。13個議員席位，只有3、5、6、7等4個選區的分區市議員席位有競爭。

              其餘的分區，以及不分區議員席位，或者無人競爭，或者參選者不超過2人，不必辦理初選。

              波士頓市在2021年選出一個有史以來最多元化的市議會之後，包括選區重劃，市府預算審議等，爭議不斷，甚至還出現過市府員工聲稱受議員威脅，議員們互相指責言語涉嫌種族歧視等狀況。

              最近又發生3名市議員涉嫌違紀狀況，包括第6區市議員Kendra Lara涉嫌無照駕駛，開未買保險的車，小孩在車上沒依照交通規則的坐在安全座椅上；第5區市議員Ricardo Arroyo涉嫌曾經違反利益衝突法，為他曾任波士頓市府健康及人民服務長的哥哥擔任辯護律師，繳交了3000元罰款，年輕時曾涉嫌性騷擾事件曝光，還在競選薩福克郡地方檢察官時，讓美國駐麻州地方檢察官Rachael Rollins不恰當地宣佈調查其競爭對手，成為了導致Rachael Rollins下台的原因之一 ；第7區市議員Tania Fernandes Anderson涉嫌違反利益衝突法，聘用自己的兒子出任職員，繳交了罰款5000元等事故。

              然後，第3選區市議員Frank Baker，不分區市議員Michael Flaherty紛紛倦勤，棄選連任。第8區市議員白凱欣 (Kenzie Bok) 於今年5月轉任波士頓市房屋局局長，曾經是波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 助理，為其籌款的Sharon Dunkan補選上位，接任其職。

              於是，往年人們不太關注的市級選舉，今年似乎備受矚目。

Sharon Dunkan (左)已順利補選成為第8區市議員，將在11月大選後，
同額當選為任期2年的市議員。 (周菊子攝)

              尤其是波士頓市長吳弭面對著市議會的經常出現不同聲音，在這次選舉中，公然出面為候選人站台，動用人脈，支持她就任市長後新設"公民組織辦公室 (Office of Civic Organization」所聘用，年僅27歲的Henry Santana競選不分區市議員；支持Sharon Dunkan參加第8區市議員補選；還讓許多人跌眼鏡的支持現年僅26歲，曾任波士頓市鄰里服務辦公室主任的多明尼加移民之子Enrique Pepén參選第5區市議員，和原本一直是吳弭盟友的Ricardo Arroyo競爭。

              至於第3區市議員席位，在市議會選區重劃後，一部分南端地區，原本屬於第2選區，今年被劃進第3選區後，選民們將須在已辭世麻州眾議員Kevin Fitzgerald之子，得到波士頓市前市長馬丁華殊 (Marty Walsh) 背書支持，現任波士頓計畫發展局 (BPDA) 物業營運副主任的John Fitzgerald，來自路易斯安那州，住在多徹斯特的Jennifer Johnson，來自南卡羅來納州，住在多徹斯特，曾任學校老師，現經營小企業的Barry Lawton；工人權益律師暨社區組織者Matthew Patton，和波士頓公校老師Joel Richards，以及曾擔任前波士頓市議員John Connolly幕僚長的Ann Walsh，新英格蘭婦女崛起中 (Women on the Rise New England)會長兼執行長Rosalind Wornum等7名參選者中，選出2人進入11月大選。

美國總統拜登紀念911 (視頻)

President Biden delivers remarks to service members, first responders, and their families on the anniversary of 9/11.

麻州紀念911 在州政府大樓升旗唸讀逝者姓名 (短視頻)

麻州州長Maura Healey把國旗捧到旗桿前，交給環保衛隊。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 麻州正副州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 、Kim Driscoll和波士頓市市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) ，9月11日一大清早，在州政府大樓正門前的入口階梯上，舉行升半旗，默哀儀式，唱唸206名麻州逝者姓名，誌記世界從此改變了的這一天，已然踏入22週年。

麻州州長Maura Healey (中) 和副州長Kim Driscoll在911紀念儀式中。
(周菊子攝)

              在22年前的9月11日這天，恐怖組織在美國發動一連串自殺式恐怖攻擊，分別有19名蓋達組織 (Al-Qaeda)恐怖分子，劫持了4架民航客機，其中2架分別撞向紐約世貿中心雙塔的2座大樓，導致全球約90個國家的2753人遇難的悲劇。

              另外2架被劫飛機，一架撞向白宮的五角大廈，一架墜毀在賓州的尚克思維爾。位紀念這一事件蓋的911國家紀念博物館，銘刻了2977名罹難者姓名。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在儀式中聆聽其他人朗讀逝者姓名。
(周菊子攝)

              從這一天以後，在全世界各地搭乘飛機的人都必須接受嚴格的安全檢查。每年這一天，全美各地都有紀念活動。

911事件罹難家屬上台朗讀逝者姓名。
(周菊子攝)

              麻州州長奚莉和波士頓市長吳弭等人一早在州政府大樓前舉行唱名紀念儀式，由麻州9/11基金家庭顧問委員會成員Leslie Blair致詞，迎接到場出席者，Josh Groban演唱”To Where You Are”，麻州州長奚莉捧著國旗，在波士頓兒童合唱團演唱星條旗美國國歌聲中，交給環保衛隊在”We Remember Them (我們記得他們)” 的歌聲中，把國旗升至旗桿的一半，再全場默哀後，由州長，副州長，市長及911事件家屬朗讀在911事件中，來自麻州的206名逝者的姓名，並敲鐘以表悼念。

              接著頒發今年的Amy Sweeney勇敢公民獎，給從一棟燃燒中的房屋，把1名女子救了出來的4名Berlin鎮居民。 Amy Sweeney是911事件中的一名空中小姐，麻州Acton鎮居民。

              這天下午，在波士頓公共花園接著舉行獻花圈儀式，由波士頓市長吳弭主持。

              全美各地這天都為911事件舉辦紀念活動。美國總統拜登 (Joe Biden) 呼籲「團結守護民主」，美國紅十字會及紅襪隊，Beth Israel Deaconess 醫療中心攜手，在波士頓的芬衛球場 (Fenway Park) 舉辦捐血活動。