紐英崙伍胥山公所慶龍年 主席伍振中親筆畫作謝同宗

伍氏宗親合影。 (黃定國攝)

            

伍胥山公所宗親春宴前祭祖。
前排右起，伍煥華、黃氏議長黃國麟，伍振中、黃周麗桃、伍偉業、伍輝民。
(周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙伍胥山公所3月31日晚在帝苑大酒樓慶祝甲辰青龍年，300 多宗親、嘉賓共聚一堂，祝願新的一年，人人龍馬精神，身心健康。波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏上台獻唱” 愛拚才會贏” ，是當晚一大特色。

             伍氏主席伍偉業、伍振中和元老伍伯和、伍煥華，美東總長伍輝民在洪青體育會的瑞獅採青獻桔後，請麻州眾議員黃子安，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，僑教中心主任潘昭榮等嘉賓合影，拉開慶祝會序幕。

伍氏以全隻金豬祭祖。右起，元老伍煥華，美東總長伍輝民，
主席伍振中、伍偉業。(周菊子攝)

              在主席、嘉賓致詞環節，由於芝加哥黃氏宗親會今年正好同日慶祝新春，黃氏元老、主席等人不克分身，這晚請出黃氏議長黃國麟致詞，維繫黃伍一家親的傳統。麻州眾議員黃子安則說明自己代表麻州眾議會議長Ronald Mariano，麻州眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz) ，陳德基，以及他自己，4人聯名送出表揚狀，表揚伍氏長年不卸的照顧宗親，服務社區。

              伍氏還依照傳統送出利市給中華廣教學校、中華耆英會，中華僑立學校，以支持教育及社會服務。

伍氏請洪青體育會舞獅。(周菊子攝)

              甫升任為伍氏全美元老的伍煥華十分興奮，在舞台上再度朗朗而談去年八月的全美伍氏懇親大會盛大、成功，全靠宗親們不辭辛勞，有求必應，甚至主動請纓。本身是書畫家，畫作已上拍賣場，創辦有神筆基金會的伍氏新主席伍振中，特地親筆繪製大幅畫作，在這天送給宗親，感謝伍輝民、李伍碧香，伍豔梨，伍慧儀等人。

伍氏宗親會今年的這場龍年春宴，文娛環節在伍氏宗親大合唱「歡樂年年」後，由駐唱秀場的宗親伍國光，以一首張學友的「吻別」開場。在伍豔梨，伍仁甫的主持中，出席宗親及嘉賓，不但唱卡拉OK，還跳恰恰，排舞，讓波士頓華埠難得的又見翩翩舞姿。     (僑務電子報 :    https://ocacnews.net/article/366008?cid=2 )

麻州眾議員黃子安(左起)頒表揚狀，伍氏主席伍振中、伍偉業代表接受。

伍偉業(右一)、伍振中(中)代表伍氏，送出利市，僑立學校黃鷹立，中華耆英會
梅伍'銀寬，中華廣教學校李伍綺蓮代表各自的機構領取。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏致詞。 (周菊子攝)

伍振中(右四)親筆繪圖，和伍煥華(右一)、伍偉業 (右三)一起送給協辦全美懇親大會
有大功勞者。 (周菊子攝)

黃氏宗親會由議長黃國麟代表致詞。(周菊子攝)

右起，伍煥華、伍振中一起送出畫作給李伍碧香。

伍氏宗親大合唱"歡樂年年"。 (周菊子攝)

伍國光是在美出生第二代，中文不太流利。 (周菊子攝)

出席嘉賓在譚達兒獻唱時翩翩起舞。(周菊子攝)

李伍碧香帶頭跳排舞。

伍侃滋 (左)等人在李伍碧香(右)帶動下跳排舞。(周菊子攝)

譚達兒(左)和陳余寶愛合唱。(周菊子攝)

麻州稅收驟減 州政府計畫凍結人員聘僱

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 鑒於財政收入未改善，有不下3個消息來源稱，麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 計畫至少在6月到期的會計年度前，凍結州政府人員聘僱。

              4月3日是麻州政府預定公告最近稅收估計的日子，估計凍結聘僱也從這天開始生效，至於這一凍結將為州政府節省多少經費等細節，目前還不清楚。

              麻州預算長Matthew Gorzkowicz向媒體證實了州政府的這一計畫，但他把凍結形容為”聘僱控制”，並稱這暫時性的行動，旨在年底前平衡預算，並保留經費給核心項目及服務。

              那些直接護理及公安服務的職位，將豁免於凍結另。由於法院命令而必須填補的季節性聘僱職位，人員離職出現的空缺，以及在4月3日前已收到聘僱信者將不受影響。

              有關人員表示，奇他的所有聘僱，都必須經過奚莉政府的預算辦公室批准。

              麻州已經連續8個月稅收低於預期。儘管奚莉州長在今年初已調降麻州稅收預估，截至2月底的稅收，比預計少了2億7500萬元。

              在麻州參、眾議會目前都在為下一個會計年度預算做準備之際，畢肯丘 (Beacon Hill)上的人都在密切關注每個月的稅收數額。

              一月份時，奚莉州長公佈了她的新年度預算案，580億元，比目前的預算多20億元，或3.7%。增幅比之前一年低。奚莉州長引以為州政府官員已經在勒緊腰帶的證據。

              然後也在一月中，奚莉州長已稅收比預期低，再刪3億7500萬元預算，從耆英外展，支援行為健康，流浪漢庇護所等服務項目，刪減經費。

              那時候，奚莉州長發信給州議員們，表示她的刪減，不會影響到學校或者地方補助的經費，州政府也沒有裁員的計畫。

              同一時候，麻州預算辦公室把本會計年度稅收估計，調降了10億元。那時候州政府的稅收已經比原本預期的少4%，或7億6900萬元左右。

              在麻州於2023年以前，連續多年，甚至出現稅收預算破紀錄之後，去年4月開始，麻州稅收開始急速下降，比預期的少了6億元。

              總的來說，大約短缺5億9300萬元。包括比預期低的利得稅。

              可是麻州的開支卻在持續增加。例如州政府預計下個會計年度要花9億1500萬元在緊急庇護所上，州政府還向周億會提交了一個法案，要讓州長動用州政府存在備用戶口中，包括去年數百萬元盈餘的8億5000萬元。

              計畫凍結人員聘僱，奚莉政府倒也不是第一個。2015年時任州長的查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)就在宣誓就任得不到24小時內，凍結了非必要人員的聘僱。那時候查理貝克說，州政府的赤字，證明了麻州面對必須修補的花費問題。

波士頓名人系列邀猶太「暈眩」舞團 4/4-6 演出MAKOM

                 (Boston Orange 編譯) 著名的耶路薩冷當代舞團「暈眩 (Vertigo)」，將於4月5、6日，帶著2022年作品「MAKOM」回波士頓，到Boch中心舒伯特 (Shubert) 劇院演出。

「MAKOM」在希伯來文中是”地方”的意思，是一齣由藝術總監兼編舞家Noa Wertheim製作，描述人們追求歸屬感與自我發現，整合混亂，撫慰心靈的舞台劇，以迷人的舞步編排，感人的故事述說，促使人們更接近自己內心的舞蹈表演。

Wertheim說，這作品探討中心與極端，形式與內容之間的緊張關係，反映了人類經驗的複雜性。

Dani Fishof-Magenta 的燈光設計、Sasson Kedem 的服裝設計和 Zohar Shoef 的舞臺設計，採用中性色調服裝、極簡燈光、交替節奏和情感配樂，並以樹枝狀道具做的平臺、梯子等，營造出視覺震撼和身臨其境的體驗感。

「MAKOM」由Rina Wertheim-Koren共同編舞，舞者包括Etai Peri、Sian Olles、Eden Ben Shimol、Micah Aimos、Ruth Ben David、Ilan Kolubovich、Shani Licht、Noa Israeli和Theo Samsworth，還收錄了Ran Bagno的原創音樂。

由Noa Wertheim 和Adi Sha'al於1992年創辦的「暈眩」舞團，是以色列名列前茅的當代舞團之一，以創新性的編舞，技術上的精準，以及對可持續環境的承諾而聞名，在世界各地以其觸動思考的表演啟發觀眾。

波士頓名人系列 (Celebrity Series Boston) 總裁兼執行董事Gary Dunning說，曾於2016年到訪波士頓，給觀眾留下深刻印象，大家都很期待他們回來，2023年初就敲定了請他們再次造訪。他認為「暈眩」舞團在突破當代舞蹈界線，探討尋求個人平衡及內心韌力這永恆話題上，一直都十分大膽，他相信這作品會深深感動人們。

「暈眩」舞團將於4月4日晚6點半，在波士頓的猶太文化中心，The Vilna Shul，舉辦”探索創作過程 (Exploring the Creative Process)”講座，及舞蹈示範。簡報結束後有招待會。入場費18元，查詢或購票可洽VilnaShul.org，https://vilnashul.org/events/event/vertigo-dance。

4月5日 (週五) 及6日(週六)的演出地點在Boch中心舒伯特劇院 (265 Tremont Street)，門票35元到75元，購票可上網celebrityseries.org。

IN “MAKOM,” VERTIGO DANCE COMPANY SEEKS

EQUILIBRIUM IN A WORLD OUT OF BALANCE

 

Performances April 5 & 6 at 8 pm / The Shubert Theatre, Boston / Performance photos here.

 

Boston, MA — Updated March 6, 2024* — Renowned Jerusalem-based contemporary troupe Vertigo Dance Company returns to Boston with their 2022 production "MAKOM," an evening-length work by Artistic Director and choreographer Noa Wertheim. Performances are April 5 and 6, 2024 at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre.

 

"MAKOM," whose title is derived from the Hebrew word meaning place, delves into the human quest for belonging and self-discovery. With mesmerizing choreography and emotive storytelling, Wertheim's work invites audiences on a profound journey of finding unity amidst chaos, and solace within oneself.

 

"This piece is a perpetual search for a return to the place that brings us closer to ourselves," Wertheim says. "It explores the tension between the center and the extremities, and between form and content, mirroring the complexities of the human experience."

With neutral-hued costumes, minimal lighting, an alternately rhythmic and emotional score, and branch-like props that create platforms, ladders and more, Dani Fishof-Magenta's lighting design, Sasson Kedem's costume design, and Zohar Shoef's stage design create a visually stunning and immersive experience.

 

Co-choreographed by Rina Wertheim-Koren and featuring dancers Etai Peri, Sian Olles, Eden Ben Shimol, Micah Aimos, Ruth Ben David, Ilan Kolubovich, Shani Licht, Noa Israeli, and Theo Samsworth, "MAKOM" also features original music by Ran Bagno.

 

“We are looking forward to the return of the Vertigo Dance Company, which first performed in Boston in 2016 and impressed Boston audiences,” says Gary Dunning, President and Executive Director of Celebrity Series Boston, which secured the Company’s return engagement in early 2023. “Vertigo and Noa have been bold in pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance and exploring timeless questions about finding one’s balance and strength from within. I am confident this production will resonate deeply here.”

 

SCHEDULE and TICKETS

“MAKOM” will be performed Fri., April 5 and Sat., April 6 – both shows at 8 PM – at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre. Tickets are $35-75, available through celebrityseries.org.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Thu., April 4 – “Exploring the Creative Process” Lecture/Demo at The Vilna Shul

·       Vertigo Dance Company Artistic Director Noa Wertheim and some of her dancers take part in a lecture and dance demonstration at The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture, located at 18 Phillips Street in Beacon Hill. Doors open 6:30 pm; a reception follows the presentation. $18 admission. Information and tickets at VilnaShul.org.

麻州擴大普及學齡前幼兒教育 進入16學區

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Universal Pre-K Access in 16 School Districts 

Expansion will add 488 seats for children in Gateway Cities and rural communities   

BARNSTABLE – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today at the YMCA of Cape Cod that 16 school districts are receiving $3.4 million to support their efforts to expand access to affordable high-quality preschool through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI). Nine currently participating districts will be expanding their efforts, adding 32 preschool classrooms, representing an additional 488 seats across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start and other community-based preschool programs. Further, the administration is awarding a first round of new grants to: Fitchburg, Quincy, Pittsfield, Worcester, Barnstable, Wareham, and the Gateway Regional School District that includes seven rural communities in Western Massachusetts.   

The $3.4 million, through revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment, was included in Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2024 budget proposal to increase access to high-quality preschool and put the state on a path towards universal access to preschool. The proposal was supported by the Legislature and included in the final budget. Governor Healey’s proposed “Gateway to Pre-K" agenda will further expand these efforts, investing an additional $15 million in fiscal year 2025 to move Massachusetts closer to meeting the goal of universal, high-quality preschool access for four-year-olds in all Gateway Cities by the end of 2026.  

“We know that the high cost of child care is holding back our families, providers and our economy. That’s why I am proud to be in Barnstable today to announce that we are expanding access to affordable, high-quality preschool in 16 school districts, creating hundreds of new seats for children in Gateway Cities and rural communities across the state,” said Governor Healey. “Our ‘Gateway to Pre-K' agenda would build on this progress by expanding high-quality pre-k access to even more communities, lowering costs for more families, and ensuring our hardworking providers have the support they need to deliver high-quality care.”  

“As a former Mayor, I know how important access to high-quality preschool is for families and for closing the learning gap before kids enter kindergarten. This funding is going to local school districts and community-based early education and care programs, highlighting our commitment to supporting cities and towns from Pittsfield to Cape Cod in meeting the needs of their residents and making Massachusetts a more affordable and equitable place to live, learn, work and play,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll.  

“As the Director of Rural Affairs and a former school teacher, I know how extremely important it is that every child regardless of where they live in the commonwealth, have an opportunity to start out on the right pathway. I appreciate the investment the Healy Driscoll administration is making in our youngest students. I congratulate the Gateway school district, and all they do to educate students and prepare them for a life of success,” said Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi.  

A main driver in the administration’s approach to expand preschool access and promote kindergarten readiness, CPPI establishes a district–wide preschool program across classes in public and community-based early education and care programs. By working across the state’s mixed early education system, districts are expanding access to a range of programs that meet different needs of working families. CPPI also promotes equitable access to special education to ensure full inclusion of children with disabilities across all settings. Through this program, the CPPI funding also provides scholarships to participating families to enroll at no or low cost and enables full day/full year services through the mix of public and community-based classrooms.  

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding access to affordable high-quality preschool. We delivered $13 million earlier this year, and with $3 million more now we’re making the necessary investments to reach more kids in more communities,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “This is not just an investment in our children and families, early childhood educators, and local communities—it's a downpayment on the future success of our state.”  

“The Administration is focused on expanding access to low or no cost preschool to provide all children across the Commonwealth with the high-quality early education experiences we know give them the academic and social-emotional skills they need to enter kindergarten,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “I am excited to see our current grantees expand to more classrooms and serve additional families, including through community-based centers and family child care programs. We look forward to working with our new grantees to support them in planning and implementing universal access to pre-k in their districts through our diverse mixed-delivery system.”    

“The CPPI grant is a great example of educators working across sectors for the benefit of children,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “It’s a pleasure to see the collaboration taking place in each of these communities and to know that students will get a strong start to their education.”   

“As a Gateway City the Town of Barnstable welcomes Governor Maura Healey’s announcement of her “Gateway to Pre-K” agenda that includes delivering universal, high-quality preschool access – at low or no cost – in communities like Barnstable by the end of 2026,” said Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells.  “‘Gateway to Pre-K' will fundamentally transform the early education system in Massachusetts by lowering costs for families to enroll their children in childcare and Pre-K.  By achieving this agenda the Governor can make early education and child care more affordable and accessible for all families across Massachusetts.” 

“Barnstable is proud to be one of the CPPI Planning and Implementation Grant recipients. A strong preschool learning experience is the foundation upon which young children build social-emotional, physical, and academic skills. Indeed, a strong preschool experience springboards students towards school readiness and improved outcomes in their future school years. We appreciate the support of Governor Healey and her administration in serving even more learners,” said Superintendent of Barnstable Public Schools Sara Ahern.   

“We are thrilled Governor Healey has come to Barnstable to announce this continuation of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s dedication to our workforce. This program offers crucial support to working families in Cape Cod's biggest town. Both our members and local economists agree that providing top-notch early education and childcare is the fastest way to strengthen our local workforce. With Barnstable Public Schools' esteemed reputation and strong alumni network, we're confident their administrators are eager to join this important partnership,” said Paul Niedzwiecki, Chief Executive Officer, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. 

"The Massachusetts YMCAs, as the largest provider of early education programs across the Commonwealth, applauds the Healey Administration's commitment to expanding access to our youngest learners. The YMCAs are honored to be a trusted partner with the Administration and our school districts as we look at the next phase of quality early education, " said Kate-Marie Roycroft, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs. 

School districts not currently participating in CPPI could apply to support planning and early implementation of a universal access to affordable high-quality preschool plan. Districts in the early planning stage receive $50,000 to build partnerships with local community-based early education and care programs, develop a leadership team, conduct a needs assessment and draft a strategic plan. Districts who already have strong partnerships with community-based early education and care programs and have conducted a needs assessment can receive a higher amount of funding to develop or update a strategic plan and begin early implementation.  

First Round of FY24 New CPPI Awardees: 

School District	Cities & Towns Served	Award
City of Fitchburg	Fitchburg	$50,000
City of Quincy	Quincy	$50,000
City of Pittsfield	Pittsfield	$50,000
Gateway Regional School District	Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell, Worthington	$50,000
Town of Barnstable	Barnstable	$50,000
Town of Wareham	Wareham	$50,000
City of Worcester	Worcester	$178,678

Current CPPI grantees could also apply to expand their efforts. First Round of FY24 CPPI Expansion Awardees: 

School District	Community-Based Partners	Award
Brockton School District	Self Help Head Start, Brockton Day Nursery, Early Learning Center YMCA (new)	$216,812
Lawrence School District	Greater Lawrence Community Action Council/ Lawrence Early Achievement Partnership (LEAP), The Community Group	$690,000
Lowell School District	YMCA Greater Lowell YMCA Nursery School, Community Teamwork, Lowell Day Nursery, Small Steps (new)	$36,000
Lynn School District	Gregghouse, LEO Head Start, Lynn YMCA (new)	$404,602
Northampton Public Schools	Community Action Head Start, Gummybears Family Child Care, Meadowlark Childcare Center, Nonotuck Community School, Cloverdale Preschool, New Village/Farm Hands Family Child Care program, People’s Institute, Smith College Center – Fort Hill, Montessori School of Northampton, Gan Keshet Preschool (new)	$330,000
Salem Public Schools	Salem YMCA, Salem Community Child Care Center, Ashley Preschool and Daycare, Pathways for Children (new), Angela’s Preschool and Daycare (new)	$250,000
Sandwich Public Schools	Joyful Noise, Montessori Beginnings, Maureen Raymond Family Child Program (new), Bobbie Jo O’Brien Family Child Program (new), Melissa White Family Child Program (new), Julie Coughlan Family Child Program (new), Diane Hill Family Child Program (new) Sandwich Montessori (new), It’s a Special Day (new)	$250,000
Somerville Public Schools	Elizabeth Peabody House, Dandelion Montessori, CAAS Somerville Head Start, Open Center for Children, Bigelow Cooperative Day, Pooh and Friends Child Care, Tree House Academy, Kingdom Rock Children’s Village, Somerville Child Care Center, JHC Allen Street Head Start (new)	$103,000
Springfield Public Schools	Community Partners for Community Action, Square One, YMCA of Greater Springfield	$594,000