麻州STEM高峰會訂5月15日舉行

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2024 STEM Summit  

Summit at Bridgewater State University to focus on computer science education and careers 

 

WESTBOROUGH – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today, during the STEM Advisory Council Meeting at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, that the annual STEM Summit will be held on May 15 at Bridgewater State University. The theme this year focuses on the evolving computer science education and workforce landscape, with equity at its core – uplifting the diverse needs, interests, and perspectives of students, educators, and employers. As the computer science workforce continues to grow, the administration is promoting opportunities that enable more diverse and inclusive pathways for interested students.

 

“In Massachusetts, we want to open doors for our young people, especially to STEM pathways. This year’s STEM Summit provides a unique opportunity to educate students about fulfilling careers in STEM in partnership with employers and educators,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We want to encourage all of our students, regardless of their circumstance, zip code, or socioeconomic status, to explore every option available to them. By empowering them to see STEM as a viable, exciting pathway to their future, we will inspire the next generation of innovators in growing sectors like computer science.”

 

“Careers in computer science stretch across many industries, from manufacturing to health care. When we lift up careers in computer science for all of our students, we strengthen the tech sector workforce pipeline and our state’s economy, driving our competitiveness and building a brighter future for all,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, co-chair of the STEM Advisory Council. “This year’s Summit will build on our progress from last year that set the foundation for addressing barriers to access and improving equity – ensuring that women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in STEM get a shot at opportunities into these critical fields.” 

 

“We want to empower all Massachusetts students to gain computer science skills and make informed IT career and college choices. That’s why the STEM Summit will promote innovative access points and pathways with new opportunities for student engagement. In collaboration with industry partners, it will also highlight deeper hands-on instruction and provide wider access to work-based learning experiences, inspiring students, particularly those who were historically excluded, to see themselves in these fields,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

 

The 2024 Massachusetts STEM Summit will showcase opportunities for all students, regardless of their circumstance, zip code, or socioeconomic status, to study computer science and pursue fulfilling careers in the tech sector. The summit will feature captivating speakers representing innovative Computer Science work occurring across the Commonwealth’s educator and employer partnerships, as well as collaborative panels that engage students, educators, and workforce partners with a common goal of advancing the state’s IT talent pipeline.

 

“Massachusetts is rich in talent, we have the brightest young minds here that are changing the STEM industry with their innovations,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “As our administration delves into the realm of AI, we’re excited that the STEM Summit will open doors for students in computer science, empowering them with essential skills for the future workforce.”

 

“Massachusetts students today need to be a focal point as we strategically plan and invest for our future workforce,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “The administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet looks forward to engaging with students, educators, industry, and workforce leaders for the annual STEM Summit and throughout the year to increase student learning and exposure for STEM pathways and careers in Massachusetts.”

 

The STEM Summit aims to inspire the next generation of leaders in computer science here in Massachusetts and highlight ways the state can address inequities in education and career pathways. In the 21-’22 school year, 83 percent of High School students had access to a computer science course, but only 6.6 percent took advantage of them. Less than 30 percent of the students who took a computer science course were female, Black students participated at a lower rate than their population in the state and Hispanic students were 1.5 times less likely to take the courses than their white and Asian peers. Furthermore, these disparities continue in the workforce. According to Lightcast data, women remain severely underrepresented in the tech sector, making up only 26 percent of tech workers and less than 10 percent of workers are Black or Hispanic.

 

For more information on this year’s STEM Summit visit Mass.gov/StemSummit. The STEM Summit is organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council. The STEM Advisory Council was established to expand access to high-quality STEM education for students across Massachusetts, and is currently co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, U.S Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Dr. Jeffery Leiden.

 

“Innovation Pathways puts young people in the driver’s seat at home and in the classroom so they can succeed in their careers,” said Carolyn Kirk, CEO, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). “We are proud to support this effort, build a more robust STEM workforce, and develop the talent of tomorrow.”

地方政府沒收欠稅房地產做法 春田市一案例法官裁定違憲

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 在麻州，欠繳物業稅，房子可能被地方政府徵收拍賣。上星期，一法官判決，禁止春田市府徵收的一宗案例，卻意味著這做法，可能就此終結。

              這是多年來的第一次，一個麻州法院判定，某些地方市鎮針對屋主追稅，被批評者稱為”偷竊產權 (equity theft)”的做法，違憲。

              去年，美國最高法院無異議裁定，地方市鎮和郡政府只可以收回欠繳稅額，而不是沒收物業的剩餘產值。

              麻州在美國是少數幾個還准許地方政府不只收取欠稅，利息及費用，並且收取物業剩餘價值的州。

              這些個案，通常都發生在那些繼承了房地產，在沒有貸款下擁有，但又沒錢付稅的人身上。有些情況是價值幾十萬元的房子，只因為欠了很小數額的稅，就被地方政府沒收了。

              上星期，Hampden高等法院法官Michael K. Callan引用最高法院去年的裁決 (明尼蘇達州，Tyler 對抗 Hennepin郡)，禁止春田市從當地屋主Ashley M. Mills那兒，拿走大約12萬3千元的資產。

              明尼蘇達州的那個案例是最高法院裁定，郡政府收稅做法違反了美國憲法修正案第5版，禁止政府在沒有正當補償下沒收私人物業。

              該裁定儘管扳倒了明尼蘇達州的州法，但說到，其他州的現存法令，如果給物業主提供了收回資產的流程，可能合法。

              麻州法令在這資產問題上，大都保持沉默，而且在沒有明文禁止下，有些地方市政保留了沒收全部資產的權利，留給物業主的保障很少。

              Callan法官在裁決中說，地方市政引用，以第60章 (Chapter 60) 為名的收稅州法，並未提供收回的過程，因此”在一些情況下應用就違憲，例如這裏，稅債小於物業價值”。

              Callan法官在他的19頁裁決書中寫道，第60章”在目前的形式下，是站不住腳的，而且需要修法訂正”。

              Ashley M. Mills的單家庭屋及土地是在2016年陷入拖欠稅款狀況，一年之後，春田市在法律允許下，就他們包括14%利息 (後來漲至16%) 的大約2000元欠稅，開始訴訟。

              到了去年底時，欠債已經滾到2萬2千元，主因是高利率。那時候，Mills家的物業估值是14萬5千元，而且公平市價可能更高。

              如果收稅做法辦成，春田市將可以在拍賣中自由出售Mills家的物業，為該市帶來等值於Mills家房地產價值的至少12萬3千元收入。

              不過，Mills家在訴訟過程的最後階段，獲得反對”偷竊產權”的2個組織，先驅公益法律中心 (Pioneer Public Interest Law Center) 和大波士頓法律服務 (Greater Boston Legal Service)協助，做他們的法律代表。他們還得到波士頓律師樓 Lewis & Bockius的無償協助。

              根據先驅公益法律中心的Frank J. Bailey，在麻州有其他還待決定的”偷竊產權”個案，而且至少有一宗已進了麻州的聯邦法院。

              Frank J. Bailey說，Mills這開創全州先例的案例，對於正在聆聽類似案件的其他法院，並沒有約束力。但是如果有一宗案件在麻州最高法院得到這樣的裁決，就會有約束力。

              另一個方案是，麻州議會明文禁止沒收產權。

林麗珠接掌波士頓急難救助會 姚英倫、丁心格示範急救

波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會前會長歐陽露(左四)當天代表該會，
把會長重任交給心會長林麗珠(右四)。波士頓僑教中心主任
潘昭榮(右一起)指出，蔣宗壬、郭競儒、陳奕如，王世維、李孟傑
等人都是急難救助協會的支持者。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會和波克萊臺灣商會 (BTCC) 、新英格蘭大波士頓臺灣商會(TCCNE)、波士頓世衛協進會及波士頓華僑文教服務中心等合作，4月20日在僑教中心會所舉辦急救講座，並宣佈改選結果，恭喜林麗珠當選為新會長。

波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會急救講座出席踴躍。(周菊子攝)

獲有美國急救技師認證資格，目前在紐英崙中華耆英會服務的姚英倫及丁心格，這天應邀出席，分享他們斥資不下950元，歷經六個月研習得來的緊急止血、肩膀脫臼吊帶固定、簡單燒傷應急處理、銳器傷緊等的急救技巧。

他們非常詳細的解釋並示範了頸部出血包紮法，指出要在貼好止血用輔助紗布的出血口那兒結紮，以增加止血壓力；纏繞紗布時要用非受傷側的手臂作為緩衝區。他們還介紹繃帶種類，至少有普通，三角，以及以色列繃帶等三種，其中以色列繃帶具有最多高級功能，是以色列國防軍醫Bernard Bar-Natan發明的，於是有了這以色列繃帶的名稱。

林麗珠當選為波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會新任會長。(周菊子攝)

                        布魯克蘭鎮鎮議員王力遠這天特地陪同妻子及2名女兒參加講座。他們認為學習急救是很實用的知識，很高興當天還知道了有一種止血扭帶很好用。

講習結束後，波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會首任會長王志維與第二任會長歐陽露，聯袂頒發感謝狀給姚英倫、丁心格，並宣佈該會經網路投票，選出波士頓北一女校友會現任會長林麗珠為新會長。該會第三任會長翁逸虹當天因口腔手術，不克出席。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮說明i僑卡改為網路版，
不再發行實體卡片。(周菊子攝)

                 波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮當天藉機會向僑胞們報告僑委會為僑胞們設計的i僑卡，已改為網上版，歡迎僑胞上網登記，開立帳戶，享用i僑卡提供的各種優惠。

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，前任僑務委員蔣宗壬，波克萊臺灣商會會長陳奕如，波士頓世衛協進會共會長李孟潔，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君等僑團首長，當天都出席了活動，紛紛稱許這樣的活動很有意義。(僑務電子報 :   https://ocacnews.net/article/367402?cid=2 

波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會前任會長王志維(左起)、歐陽露頒發感謝狀給
丁心格、姚英倫，感謝他們出席講解。(周菊子攝)

丁心格和姚英倫示範頸部出血的包紮法。(周菊子

布魯克蘭鎮鎮議員王力遠(右)一家人都來學急救。(周菊子攝)

獲得美國急救技師認證的標誌。 (周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥均(左起)和陳憲恒等人
在現場練習包紮技術。 (周菊子攝)

鄭雪卿(左起)和波克萊臺灣商會會長陳奕如、曾政明(右一)
等人都來學習急救。(周菊子攝)

曾秀梅(右起)、李小玉、史美芳，蔣宗壬等人一起實地操作
頸部出血包紮。(周菊子攝)

左起，丁心格、姚英倫示範，歐陽露、徐小玲、郭競儒等人
認真學習。(周菊子攝)

勒星頓鎮開始慶祝250週年 (視頻)

 更新版

波士頓名人系列 5/2-5 推出Alvin Ailey新作

主辦單位提供  photo by Dario Calmese

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 世界上最受歡迎舞蹈公司之一的Alvin Ailey美國舞團，將於5月2日至5日，回到波士頓天滿街 (Tremont) 270號的博客中心王氏劇院 (Boch Center Wang Theater) 做年度演出，以3種不同節目組合，表演5場，其中的” 世紀 (Century)”和”頌 (Ode)  )” 是波士頓首演。

            跨入創立65週年的Alvin Ailey舞團，這次將演出炙手可熱編舞家Amy Hall Garner受託，為Ailey舞團編導的第一支作品”世紀”，Jamar Roberts的2019年作品”頌 (Ode)”。全新製作的Alonzo King 2000年作品” 跟著細水上流 (Follow the Subtle Current Upstream)”，以及Ronald K. Brown的2009年最受喜愛作品 ”跳舞精神 (Dancing Spirit)”。

            每場演出最後，還將以摘自Ailey最佳舞蹈，經典大師傑作 “啟示錄 (Revelations)” 中，重點強調Alvin Ailey生動編舞天才的片段，來做結尾。

            作為舞團回到波士頓演出的一部分，從1971年起，邀請Ailey舞團來波士頓表演的波士頓名人系列 (Boston Celebrity Series)，將於5月1日 (週三) 晚7點，在洛士百利 (Roxbury) 的Reggie Lewis跑道體育中心 (1350 Tremont Street)，舉辦一場免費的公開工作坊，”每一個人的啟示錄 (Revelations for Everyone)”，舞團舞者將示範教導 Alvin Ailey舞團代表作品，以及非常受歡迎的舞蹈 “夜間生物 (Night Creature)”。

            排定的幾場表演包括，5月2日晚8點，以及5月5日下午3點，在波士頓地區首演的，Jamar Roberts的”頌 (Ode)  )”，以及Amy Hall Garner的”世紀 (Century)”。其中的”世紀”是一支極具個人色彩的作品，靈感來自Hall Garner的祖父100歲生日的那個晚上。Ray Charles、Count Basie，以及The Dirty Dozen銅管樂隊等為這支舞編曲。”世紀”一舞慶祝生命、韌性及愉悅。”頌”是在槍枝暴力時代位生命的美麗與脆弱而沉思的作品，以甜蜜Malcolm (記憶與槍聲第一部分)為背景，並以全女班演員來重新想像。

            5月3日週五，以及5月4日週六的晚上8點，演出舞碼為Ronald K. Brown的”跳舞精神”，以及Alonzo King的”跟隨細水上流”。”跳舞精神”的音樂由Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis 及 War製作，激發出傳奇性的Ailey藝術總監Emerita Judith Jamison的優雅，尊嚴及慷慨。”跟隨細水上流”則是大膽，舞動不歇的作品，如同人生中的起起伏伏。

            5月4日 (週六) 下午2點的Ailey經典節目，則跨越Alvin Ailey的豐富作品，包括”回憶錄”、”夜間生物”、”沒有公爵 (Pas de Duke)”，” Masekela Langage”， “Opus McShann”, “情歌 (Love Songs)”, “為鳥帶著愛 (For 'Bird'–With Love)” , 以及”隱藏的儀式 ( Hidden Rites)等。

             波士頓名人系列的Alvin Ailey舞團，將於5月2日至5日在波士頓市天滿街 (Tremont) 270號的Boch Center Wang Theater舉行。購票可上網celebrityseries.org，或bochcenter.org/alvinailey.。

4月20、21兩日波士頓籃球決賽 Canal街禁行車輛

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES RETURN OF PLAYOFF HUB ON CANAL STREET Canal Street to close to vehicular traffic for upcoming Bruins and Celtics home playoff games

BOSTON - Friday, April 19, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu, in partnership with Downtown North Association, today announced the return of the Boston Playoff Hub on Canal Street, creating a car-free zone for fans to gather before and during home playoff games at TD Garden. The return of this pedestrian zone builds on Mayor Wu’s commitment to reimagining Boston’s streets and transforming public space in a way that’s enjoyable for residents, small business owners, and visitors. “We’re thrilled to give Boston fans an opportunity with both the Bruins and the Celtics in the playoffs this year to come together safely, cheer on their favorite teams, and support our local businesses,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to our partners for working with us to bring back the Playoff Hub, creating a joyful experience for our hockey and basketball fans. I encourage everyone to come out before and during the playoff games to build community and support our teams.” “This is a really great thing for us to be doing to ensure we are encouraging local fans to support small businesses while celebrating Boston’s legacy as the city of champions at the teams’ doorstep! Our fans show up for our iconic teams year after year, so I can’t wait to take part in these festivities as we root for the Celtics and Bruins to take it all the way,” said District 8 City Councilor Sharon Durkan. The Playoff Hub will be free and open to the public, providing more space for residents and visitors to gather outdoors and celebrate Boston’s home teams. Canal Street will be closed from noon on game days, through one hour after the game ends. Parking regulations will be posted ahead of the first Bruins playoff game on Saturday, April 20. Vehicles in violation of posted regulations will be towed.  “We are looking forward to creating vibrancy and camaraderie on Canal Street,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “Activating this space will give visitors and residents the opportunity to support local businesses while supporting Boston’s sports teams.”  "We are grateful to Mayor Wu and the City of Boston for bringing back the Playoff Hub on Canal Street," said Glen Thornborough, President of TD Garden and COO of Boston Bruins. "With both teams in the playoffs, it's a great opportunity for fans to gather before games and bring the palpable energy from TD Garden out into the community.” “There’s nowhere quite like TD Garden, especially on Celtics and Bruins gamedays,” said Rich Gotham, President of the Boston Celtics. “We extend our appreciation to Mayor Wu and the City of Boston for bringing back the Playoff Hub on Canal Street, which creates a space outdoors for fans to continue cheering on both teams and support local businesses throughout the playoffs.”    “The Downtown North Association is excited to see the return of Canal Street as the Playoff Hub,” said Jay Walsh, Executive Director of Downtown North Association. “We look forward to welcoming Bruins and Celtics fans to the area and to create a festive atmosphere.  We are grateful to Mayor Wu and our members look forward to what will hopefully be lengthy playoff runs for both teams.”   The first Bruins playoff game will be on Saturday, April 20. The first Celtics playoff game is Sunday, April 21.

Alison Brizius 訂5月6日出任麻州海岸區管理主任暨助理能源廳長

            (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州能源及環境事務廳廳長Rebecca Tepper 19日宣佈，指派Alison Brizius出任助理廳長，以及海岸區管理辦公室 (CZM)主任。她將於5月6日上任。

                   海岸區管理辦公室負責麻州的海岸及海洋事務政策及計畫，經由計畫，公眾參與，教育，研究及完備的資源管理來維護人力活動和保護海岸，海洋資源之間的平衡。

               Alison Brizius原本在波士頓市政府擔任環境事務局局長，負責處理氣候變遷衝擊，達到零排放目標，以及保護空氣、水、氣候，土地等資源，促進環境正義，改善波士頓市居民的生活品質等議題。在那之前，她擔任芝加哥大學氣候及能源政策穩健決策中心的執行主任。

            Alison Brizius獲有芝加哥大學的物理博士學位。

                 麻州政府從波士頓市府挖角，撬走人才的行動，得到波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)支持。吳弭在支持聲明中表示，Alison Brizius獲聘是麻州政府的一個關鍵時刻，Brizius的領導力將不只對波士頓市有好處，還將有益於整個麻州。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Names Alison Brizius New Coastal Zone Management Director

Brizius will oversee state’s coastal resilience initiative, port regulations, and play an important role in fostering offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine 

BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper today announced Alison Brizius's appointment to Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). CZM leads the state's policy and planning on coastal and ocean issues. The Office's mission is to balance the impact of human activities with the protection of coastal and marine resources through planning, public involvement, education, research, and sound resource management.  

The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently launched the ResilientCoasts initiative, a holistic and proactive strategy to guide state and local coastal resiliency policy and action. Brizius will oversee this initiative as well as implement the state's coastal programs under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, ensuring environmental justice and equity is embedded into this work. She starts May 6. 

“Our coastal communities are on the front lines of climate change, experiencing more frequent and significant storms, increased flooding and erosion, and rising sea levels. It's important now more than ever to have a strong, bold, and innovative person leading CZM,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to protecting the state's coastlines and adapting for the future. Alison Brizius is the perfect person to help us meet this moment. Her background and expertise demonstrate her ability to tackle challenging issues and prove she is the right person for the job.” 

“I am honored to join the Healey-Driscoll Administration as they elevate the state's focus on climate change. Our coastlines are a huge part of Massachusetts' identity - it's our culture, economy, and livelihood. Protecting our coastal environments and communities is a task I'm eager to take on,” added Brizius. “I’m excited to be joining such a talented team at CZM and am eager to work with them to enhance resilience, environmental justice and sustainability that will benefit Massachusetts for generations to come.” 

About Alison Brizius

Alison Brizius joins CZM from the City of Boston, where she previously served as Commissioner of Environment. In that role, she was responsible for leading the Department in addressing climate change impacts, such as achieving net zero emissions while protecting air, water, climate, and land resources, enhancing environmental justice, and improving Boston residents' quality of life. Previously, Brizius was the city's Director of Climate and Environmental Planning. Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director of the Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP) at the University of Chicago, a multi-institutional interdisciplinary center founded to improve society's ability to respond to climate change and energy supply challenges. She received her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago.