所有圖片，波士頓榮光會提供
(Boston Orange) 波士頓榮光會副理事長蘇麗萍率會員參加大波士頓每年一度的退伍軍人大遊行，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏應邀參加，在大波士頓市區再次飄揚中華民國國旗。
星期六, 11月 09, 2024
舊時信樓改建25層高酒店提案 波士頓華埠支持、反對意見紛陳
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| 新業藥在這時信樓舊址 (左)蓋25層高酒店。 |
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| 陳情單位公佈的25層高示意圖。 |
夏利臣街15-25號原本是有33個住宅單位的5層樓高”時信樓”，2012年2月發生一場大火後，丟空至今。根據波士頓計畫局網站上有關土地發展項目的概要資料，業主Sing
Ming Chan (譯音，陳新民)今年2月再提蓋酒店計畫。
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| 這個月的華埠居民會改在包氏文藝中心舉行。 |
波士頓華埠居民會會長黃國威和華埠居民Kate這晚主持會議，在業主代表說明蓋酒店計畫後，有不下十餘人分別發表意見。
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| 駱理德表示華埠附近已經有不下10 家酒店。 |
鄺坤珍還說，她在中華公所工作時，常接到波士頓華埠內有無旅館或酒店可租住的查詢電話。還有過一對中國夫婦來波士頓看病，因為英文不好，來到中華公所求助，想找個語言通的地方待診。
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| 這場公聽會出席人數踴躍。 |
至於酒店高度，鄺元傑認為那要從空間利用，投資收益比率，對周遭環境在交通、安全、噪音、汙染上可能造成的影響等來分析，而且政府也有規定。
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| 圖片來自臉書。 |
陳玉珍說，看到提出這發展計畫的是華人移民同胞時，她感到心碎。她還以為華人同胞們已經從假繁榮之名推出發展計畫，實際上卻對社區有害的影響中學到了教訓。
1960、1970年代，紅燈區
(combat zone)搬進了華埠。有些人支持，因為相信那會給華埠帶來更多生意，但卻忘了那也把犯罪、妓女帶進了華埠，後來得花上十幾、廿年的時間來清除鄰里。快轉20年，在華盛頓街上有許多豪華高樓蓋了起來。那時候人們以美化市容，驅逐紅燈區之名，支持這些發展計畫，結果卻是這些發展計畫不只趕走了成人娛樂業，也逼使許多居民搬遷。一份2013年做的調查稱，華埠內的亞裔居民比率也從90%降到了50%。他們也看到了一系列的居民流離失所事件。
陳玉珍指出，華埠社區內有些人及組織支持在公有土地上，只要有30%的可負擔住宅就行了，但華人前進會和另一組織反對，因為應該至少有50%的可負擔單位。
劉仲岳指出，怕就怕，一旦居民們同意了給這個發展計畫的高度開綠燈，其他的發展計畫也將效尤。
華埠土地信託會主任駱理德表示，華埠附近已經有至少10家酒店、旅館，其中包括青年旅舍
(Hostel)，也並不貴，華埠之內不需要再建一個旅館，發展計畫業主是華人，並不足以作為支持理由。
日前，波士頓華埠商會會長陳仕維在臉書上貼出一張照片，有不下10人在天下為公牌樓前舉牌支持，他還一連寫了3次支持。
根據波士頓市政府計畫局的網上流程，這一發展計畫的公眾置評時間，將於11月29日到期。查詢項目詳情，可上BPD網站https://bpda.app.box.com/s/ahiyiwzxypojmvxjw4wp4q74mwpxemyw。 (更新版，天下為公)
程海東:人工智慧世代重塑教育、學習需求
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| 紐中華專業人員協會「駕馭人工智慧世代的技能」講座。(中華專協提供) |
程海東直言，當人們跨進人工智慧世代，擁思辨力、創新力、團隊力、溝通力、資訊力，以及終身/自主學習這6C技能，非常重要。
他藉複雜
(Complexity)、焦慮 (Anxiety)、閾限性(Liminality)、揮發性
(Volatility)、不可理解性(Incomprehensibility)、非線性(Non-Linearity)等元素，自創CALVIN
這個縮寫字，來強調，處身於未來世代必須具備多元化技能及方法，無論是大學、企業及個人都應該關注終身學習及社會責任。
紐中華專業人員協會游子揚 (右)送感謝狀給講者，陽明交大執行長程海東(左)。
這場講座由紐英崙中華專業人員協會
(NEACP)董事長游子揚開場，副會長連韻婷主持，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏、教育組組長黃薳玉，波士頓僑教中心主任高家富等嘉賓出席。
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| 程海東以Calvin形容人工智慧世代， |
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| 波士頓僑教中心主任高家富致詞。 |
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| 史美芳提問。 |
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| 許翠玲提問。 |
程海東在總結中表示，教育是要培養專業硬技能及廣泛的軟實力，人工智慧及元宇宙的效應是很複雜及多面性的，人們未來的生活型態及社會文化模式將會是現實與虛擬元素的混和學習環境，教育的數位轉型將加強教育及學習的效果，但卻會阻礙軟技能學習。未來世界有大量未知數，將不可避免的要重新定義一般及持續教育的本質·內容及教學方法。
在講談中，程海東以近年來對世界衝擊最大事件，包括2020年的新冠病毒疫情 (COVID
19)，2022年的俄烏戰爭，2023年的以色列哈瑪斯戰爭，2023年崛起的人工智慧等為例指出，2020年世界經濟論壇
(WEF)就已經描繪出未來人類需要具備許多數位化工具，全世界幾乎有一半的人都必須接受再教育，以獲取因應未來世界的軟實力，包括獨立思考、自主學習和策略，解決困難問題，創新和創意，批判論述分析，領導及社會影響，掌握科技應用素養，設計技能和軟體應用，正面思考適應性和韌性，反思決心和思維等。
程海東展示了一張ChatGPT所生成，以元宇宙作為基礎設施的一座城市畫像，包括了代表數據網絡的數位路，作為伺服器的樓宇，有如使用者介面的公共空間，以及作為交通系統的虛擬現實平台，全安置在未來的城市景觀中。這可視化有助於使用者在元宇宙中如何巡走。互動和體驗虛擬世界。
另外一張ChatGpT所生成的信息圖，描繪了人工智慧作為元宇宙城市的住戶情景。它描繪出各種人工智慧驅動的實體，例如聊天機器人、虛擬助理，以及互動系統成為了城市人口，扮演著服務共應者，社交互動者，營運經理，以及創意貢獻者等腳色。
程海東還簡述了從量子力學到人工智慧及元宇宙的科技發展世紀。他從1900年代初期，量子力學誕生，為未來創新提供了理論基礎說起，1920年代發現了電子能帶結構及帶隙說起，1947
年貝爾實驗室
(Bell Labs)發明晶體館，革命化了電子設備，1948年由曼徹斯特的Kilburn引進了第一個程序化軟體，開啟了軟體發展年代。1950年開始積體電路(IC)，迷你化的同時曾鏘了電子設備，以積體電路為基礎的商用電腦開始出現，為電腦革命奠定基礎。1956年John
McCarthy底定”人工智慧 (AI)”這個詞。1970年代，個人電腦，膝上型電腦，平板式電腦及網際網路
(Internet)的來臨，對個人生活及專業生涯都發生重大衝擊。1980年代迎來無線數位溝通，更進一步的把世界連了起來。1997年IEEE802.11，Wi-Fi 2
Mbps使得無線上網及數據轉移成為可能。2000年以後，智慧電話，虛擬現實
(VR)、增強式現實
(AR)，展延的現實
(XR)， 以及下一代無線網路科技
(5G， 6G)，人工智慧 (AI)，以及元宇宙的概念，都開始贏得人們關注。到了2010年代，電腦能力及演算的進步在機械學習及概念上有重大進展，由於大數據的可以獲得，深度學習方法開始主導正確性標竿。雲計算基礎架構的改善，研究工具及數據的可以取得，激發，改良了神經網路科技的可負擔性。
人工智慧 (AI)的歷史發展則是從20世紀初，Alan
Turing等人1940年代發明的數位電腦，以及邏輯的行程，底定了人工智慧研究舞台。1950到1960年代，”人工智慧"這個詞，才由John
McCarthy底定。1970到1980年代重點放在基於規則的專家系統規則，式設計來模仿人類專家的決策過程。1990到2000年代早期，人們又重新對機械學習感到興趣，演算法改良了，電腦能力增加了。神經網路開始應用愛各種程式上底定了深度學習革命的舞台。2010年代到現在，由於深度學習、大數據，以及計算能力的進步，人工智慧有了快速成長，諸如GPT
(生成式訓練前改變者)。
2024年是個不可忽視的年份，有30多種AI工具出現在市面上。
程海東指出，陽明交通大學已經把科技及博雅 (Liberal Arts)放進通識課程行列，麥肯錫諮詢顧問公司也預估到了2030年，將有1200萬種工作機會會轉型，科學技術的及醫療護理領域的工作機會將大幅成長，30%的工作需要適應人工智慧科技的改變，人工智慧勢必重整就業市場。就連輝達
(Nvidia)創辦人黃仁勳在2024年電腦科技大會
Computex做主旨演講時，都以「人工智慧和元宇宙對專業人士的衝擊:轉移及適應」為主題。
他認為在人工智慧世代，電腦科學專業人士需要的技能，既有機械學習，深度學習，自然語言處理，以及數學及統計，特定領域專長等硬科技及特殊技能，還需要效率及生產力，創新及研究，道德及社交實踐，永續學習及適應，溝通及人際技能，全球觀點，以及熱情和熱心等軟技能。
星期五, 11月 08, 2024
藍藻瘋長可能有毒 波士頓市府將暫關閉 SPRAGUE 池塘
(Boston Orange摘譯) 波士頓公共衛生委員會 (BPHC) 11月8日提醒民眾，注意市內海德公園 (Hyde Park/Readville) 一帶 SPRAGUE池塘，出現藍藻瘋長情況，市府決定暫時關閉池塘，並請市民避免接觸，別讓寵物靠近。
BPHC接獲波士頓市公園局一名工作人員報告，發現有魚死亡，水體呈現綠色混濁狀況，採樣檢測後，發現藍藻。由於藍藻瘋長，會汙染水質，產生的毒素對人體及寵物都有害，例如會刺激人的皮膚和眼睛，令人出現呼吸及胃腸道症狀，嚴重時可能致人於死，因此決定暫時關閉池塘，並發出籲請人們與寵物遠離的警告。
BPHC提醒民眾，一旦接觸到藍藻，要立即沖洗。如果寵物出現嘔吐，蹣跚，流口水或抽搐症狀，應立即連絡獸醫。
公共衛生局 (DPH)將持續監測該區域藍藻數量，每隔一週就做採樣分析，一旦有兩輪樣本的藍藻數量每毫升低於70,000個，才會解除警報。
民眾如有疑問，可電洽波士頓是長健康熱線617
- 534 – 5050。
Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition Holds 1st Annual Employer Breakfast
Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition Holds 1st Annual Employer Breakfast
BOSTON – Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones and the Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition recently hosted an employer breakfast focused on strengthening caregiver supports for employees and employers. The breakfast, which attracted over 100 registered attendees, was held at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Innovation Center and featured a panel geared to employers and workforce partners.
Attendees listen to a panel called “From Policy to Practices – Strengthen Caregiving Supports” featuring Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Acting Secretary of Elder Affairs Robin Lipson, President Chrissy Lynch of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and jill McNamara of Care.com, moderated by JD Chesloff of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.
The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition is a public-private partnership of diverse business, non-profit, and worker advocates under the auspices of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development that focuses on elevating the needs of family caregivers as a talent attraction and retention strategy. Family caregivers represent a sizable population of the workforce across Massachusetts. This event was an opportunity to expand the conversation around substantive change in support of working caregivers. The Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s workforce agenda to attract, retain, and develop diverse talent in Massachusetts.
“The Healey-Driscoll administration understands that many workers across the state are responsible for providing care to a family member and to better attract and retain a strong workforce, we must build the critical infrastructure needed to provide supports for those workers,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Today’s breakfast was a great opportunity to speak directly to and provide vital resources for our employer partners. I look forward to continuing this collaboration as we grow a stronger, more competitive, and equitable workforce in regions and industries across Massachusetts.”
Undersecretary Josh Cutler kicked off the breakfast with opening remarks, followed by Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Sarah Iselin, and a presentation from co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS Alexandra Drane. The breakfast also featured a panel discussion, entitled From Policy to Practice – Strengthening Caregiving Supports, including Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Acting Secretary of Elder Affairs Robin Lipson, President Chrissy Lynch of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and Jill McNamara of Care.com.
Co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGLES Alexandra Drane gives a presentation about family caregiving caregiver intensity score. [Nicolas Ruggiero, Director of Digital Communications, EOLWD]
Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Sarah Iselin welcomes attendees to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Innovation Center in Boston, MA. [Nicolas Ruggiero, Director of Digital Communications, EOLWD]
“No one really plans to become a family caregiver. But when it does happen, we should be ready to support our employees as they navigate the caregiving journey,” said Acting Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs Robin Lipson. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is dedicated to supporting family caregivers through important partnerships such as the Caregivers Coalition.”
"Providing a supportive workplace and ensuring our workers have the resources to succeed makes our economy thrive. Today’s breakfast brought attention to the important resources that employers and workers have at their disposal and will help kick start a larger conversation on caregivers in the workplace.” said Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch.
In spring 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will lead the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition to align with and build on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s workforce agenda. The Coalition aims to partner with, encourage, and challenge Massachusetts employers wherever they are in their progress of supporting employee caregivers by: Illuminating the needs of employee caregivers and their economic impact; Identifying, sharing, and leveraging best practices inclusive of all employer sizes, locations and types of workforce; Championing employee caregiver policies; and Enabling culture change for caregivers across all sectors of the economy.
“By bringing together business, labor, and government partners, the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition is able to build awareness of the importance of caregiver-friendly policies in the workplace. It’s about attracting and retaining talent, and also recognizing that employees who juggle caregiving responsibilities are developing news skills that are valuable for employers,” said Undersecretary Josh Cutler. “We welcome new partners to join the Caregiver Coalition and work with us in this effort.”
"It was remarkable to see how much the topic of supporting working caregiving resonated with everyone in the room this morning. In large part due to the Coalition’s steadfast resiliency on driving this change, it is had been made abundantly clear that there's a growing sense of awareness that supporting family caregivers is essential,” said Care.com General Manager of Senior Care Jill McNamara. “This momentum is inspiring, showing a real commitment to making caregiving a priority across both the public and private sectors.”
The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition welcomes employers and workforce partners to join the network and access available resources to recognize, support, and build creative solutions that allow family caregivers to thrive in the workplace while also caring for family at home. To learn more and request to join, visit the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition website.
Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and GM Eng Celebrate Slow Zone-Free
Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and GM Eng Celebrate Slow Zone-Free
Orange Line
Officials visited Haymarket to thank riders and workers who made unprecedented results possible
BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng visited Haymarket station to thank riders for their patience and the MBTA workforce for their work to eliminate slow zones on the Orange Line as part of the Track Improvement Program. The Orange Line is now free of speed restrictions for the first time in nearly 15 years.
“General Manager Eng and his team came in with a promise to remove speed restrictions this year – and they are delivering. For the first time in 15 years, the Orange Line is completely free of slow zones, resulting in faster, more reliable service for tens of thousands of riders. And they’re on track to lift all remaining slow zones across the system in the coming weeks,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This work gives riders back time in their day to spend with friends and family, be less rushed at breakfast or dinner, or take the dog for another walk before it gets dark at 4:30 pm. It’s also good for our economy, making sure people can get to work on time and delivering on our promise to have a world class public transportation system. I’m grateful for the MBTA workers who made this possible and for the patience of riders who share our desire for safer, more reliable T service.”
“Under General Manager Eng and thanks to the hard work of hundreds of dedicated MBTA employees, the T is delivering unprecedented levels of productivity when it comes to improving the system’s tracks. And riders are experiencing the benefits first hand,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is proud to be delivering record funding to the T to support this important work, and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve transportation infrastructure across our state.”
“We personally wanted to meet and thank our riders face-to-face to express our deep appreciation for their patience during the work which interrupted their rides on Orange Line trains,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Our customers have been the best partners ever in realizing that these projects are essential and that working 24/7 without interruption is the most efficient way to address maintenance needs and leads to service which is safer, faster, and more reliable.”
“Our riders deserve safe, reliable, and more frequent service, and last year, we made a commitment to deliver that. With strong support and leadership from Governor Healey’s Administration, we have been rebuilding our workforce so they can rebuild our infrastructure. With the Orange Line now restriction-free for the first time in 15 years and the MBTA at the goal line to make the entire subway system restriction-free, we have increased the number of trains, decreased wait times, and reduced travel time for our riders across our heavy and light rail lines,” said General Manager Eng. “We know we have so much more to do to maintain the system long-term as we build a better T – one that the public can be proud of. I thank our existing riders that depend on mass transportation and look forward to welcoming new riders by making the T the preferred way to travel. I’m privileged to work alongside a proud workforce along with our industry partners as we continue to build upon this progress, tackling daily challenges head-on, and working together efficiently and effectively to fulfill our commitments to the public we serve.”
The Orange Line is now completely free of all speed restrictions for the first time since 2010. Slow zones now affect less than 1 percent of the entire subway system over less than a mile of track, compared to one year ago when they were affecting nearly 26 percent of the system over 35 miles of track. As of this week, the Orange Line is operating almost 18 minutes faster roundtrip when compared to travel times on September 1, 2023, just before the Track Improvement Program launched.
Governor Healey, Secretary Tibbitts-Nutt, and General Manager Eng handed out stickers to riders as a small token of thanks for their patience during multi-day service suspensions and shuttle bus replacements. Workers from multiple internal departments involved in the successful planning, coordination, and completion of this critical work, including the Track Improvement Program team, Maintenance of Way, Capital Delivery, Alternate Service Planning, and others, were thanked by Healey, Tibbitts-Nutt, and Eng for their dedication and commitment to accomplishing this challenging and often complicated improvement work.
The MBTA has removed over 200 speed restrictions to date since the launch of the Track Improvement Program with only about
a mile of track remains under restriction. The MBTA is on schedule to be restriction-free by the end of the year.
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