欖城安良工商會慶蛇年新春 元老與4埠會長逾120人同慶

欖城安良工商會會長陳任卓(右二)感謝駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左二)、
僑教中心主任高家富(右一)、副組長許欽琮遠道來賀。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子羅德島州報導) 欖成安良工商會2月10日晚在羅德島州林肯市的亞洲燒烤 (Asia Grille)慶祝蛇年新春，有來自波士頓、紐約、芝加哥、邁阿密等地會員，以及羅德島州財政廳廳長James Diossa等嘉賓，逾120人出席，盛況空前。

欖城安良會長黃超炎致歡迎詞。(周菊子攝)

              美國安良工商會元老團主席陳達偉笑說，過去十多年，幾乎每年都來，這次最盛大，可見欖城的全美元老胡英僚、會長黃超炎、陳任卓等人成績卓著。他還打趣指中華公所主席是由安良支持的，請兄弟手足們有需要可以找中華公所。

欖城的全美安良元老胡英僚(右一)和波士頓的全美安良元老陳仕維(後右四)，
全美安良元老團主席陳達偉(後右三)、紐約安良會長梁沛霖(後右二)等人
和波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(前右四)、僑教中心主任高家富(後左四)合影。
(周菊子攝)

              致詞時，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏處長直言這晚他原本要去緬因州，但陳仕維通知他，這是羅德島州最重要的活動，於是他特地更改行程。他為受邀出席感到榮幸，因為他知道，過去幾十年來，安良都是中華民國臺灣的好朋友，最有力的支持者之一，沒有安良的友誼，臺灣和美國的關係不會那麼好。座中許多人更是社區志工，服務熱誠，致力幫助波士頓華埠等各地社區的繁榮興盛。他真心感謝眾人，祝大家新年快樂。

羅德島州財政廳廳長James Diossa和曾參選羅德島州州長的馮偉杰
互稱多年朋友。(周菊子攝)

              欖城安良工商會早年辦活動都在午夜12點，自從陳任卓與黃超炎出任會長後，才改到一般人習慣的晚上六、七點開始。最近這幾年更在全美安良元老，包括波士頓陳仕維、欖城胡英僚，以及芝加哥陳達偉、紐約鄧錦源等人協調下，把紐約、波士頓、欖城等地的安良新春慶祝日期，安排在相連日期，從而加強了元老與各地安良會員們的交流與溝通。

              欖城安良會長黃偉炎、陳任卓當晚依序以中文、英文簡短致詞，感謝各人遠道來賀，祝福各人身體健康，家庭幸福。黃超炎笑說致詞完，還得回廚房為嘉賓們下廚。在美國出生的陳任卓則以英文強調，記住好朋友及家人非常重要，他很感謝大家教導，幫助他融入這個大家庭。

              羅德島州財政廳廳長James Diossa和曾參選羅德島州州長的馮偉杰這晚也專程出席祝福，互說已是多年朋友，相知相惜，為全美安良元老陳仕維和廖朝宏處長，高家富主任，許欽琮副組長隨後合唱的一首周華健版「朋友」，一起為這場新春聚會做了最佳註腳。

羅德島州財政廳廳長James Diossa(左一)和羅德島華人協會負責人
葉超(左三)，吳子平(右一)等人到賀。(周菊子攝)

           這晚的出席嘉賓包括波士頓經文處的處長廖朝宏，僑教中心主任高家富，副組長許欽琮，全美安良總理陳啟靈，關永發，祕書長陳炎銘，康樂主任劉偉明，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳秀珍，陳孔恩，羅德島華人協會負責人葉超、吳子平，波士頓安良會長陳偉民、黃展唐，紐約安良會長曾志昂，梁沛霖，芝加哥會長陳偉聖，羅德島州欖城安良顧問李銳浩等人也分別組團來共襄盛舉。(更新版，訂正照片人名，高家富主任)

全美安良工商會元老陳仕維(右)和波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左二)、高家副主任(左三)、
許欽琮副組長合唱周華健版本「朋友」。(周菊子攝)

紐約安良會長梁沛霖，中文書既梅偉樑等人。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙至孝篤親公所有前後任主席，右起陳鐵堅、陳秀珍，紐英崙中華
公所主席雷國輝，陳孔恩，陳文珊等人組團到賀。安良元老陳達偉(左)特地過來感謝。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓安良會長陳偉民(右二)和高家富主任(右一起)、許欽琮副組長、曾任羅德島州

克蘭斯頓市市長的馮偉傑同桌交流。(周菊子攝)

安良工商會春宴奉上烈酒。(周菊子攝)

今年的欖城安良工商會春宴格外盛大，逾120人出席。(周菊子攝)

麻州參議會通過撥款4.25億元支持緊急屋援協助無殼家庭

(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州參議院通過了S.16法案，議定分配 4. 25億美元用於無家可歸家庭的緊急住房援助。麻州參眾兩會將協調兩會所通過法案版本的差異後，送交州長簽決。

S.16法案包括成本控制和報告機制，以確保在未有需要者提供援助之際，負責任的動用納稅人款項。

參議會議長Karen E. Spilka (民主黨籍-Ashland)強調，這法案平衡了會計責任和道德義務。

該法案要求從2025年12月31日起，麻州限制收容庇護所最多收留4,000個家庭，在今年底前逐步淘汰使用酒店和汽車旅館作為緊急住房作法，每兩週向立法機構提交庇護所家庭數量報告。

法案也規定了新的控制成本，改善安全指導方針，為暫時喘息場所提供資金，要求申請者揭露是否曾經犯罪，為處於危急狀況家庭提供長達30天的暫時喘息場所，並要求申請緊急住房援助的成人揭露以前是否曾經犯有刑事罪。

眾議院已通過之前版本，兩院將調和差異後送交州長簽署。

Senate Passes Supplemental Funding for Emergency Shelters 

Balances fiscal responsibility to taxpayers with moral responsibility to Massachusetts families in shelters   

(BOSTON–2/12/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation to allocate $425 million to support emergency housing assistance for unhoused families across the Commonwealth. The bill adds cost controls and reporting mechanisms to ensure the state responsibly uses taxpayer dollars, while continuing to fund a system that serves Massachusetts mothers, fathers, and children in crisis.   

The bill, S.16, will provide safe shelter and supportive services for unhoused families, establish eligibility requirements and time-limited benefits, and ensure program accountability to help protect Massachusetts residents.  

“Today we struck a balance between our fiscal responsibility to Massachusetts taxpayers, and our moral obligation to moms, dads, and kids who are in a difficult moment,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We prioritize Massachusetts families in need, ensure transparency in the program, and lay the groundwork for long-term solutions to homelessness. I thank Chair Rodrigues, and each of the members of the Senate, for their collaboration and contributions to this legislation.”  

“I’m pleased that the Senate has passed this supplemental budget to provide funding and further clarify supportive services for unhoused families in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The Senate has largely concurred with the House in making these important but necessary changes to the family shelter system. These adjustments will allow for families to transfer out of these temporary housing units more readily, continue our track of providing sustainable employment, and provide a glide path for exiting the system. This bill strikes a balance by supporting families in crisis, while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars as we redouble our efforts to move the EA shelter system towards a fiscally sustainable future. Going forward, this legislation also puts more stringent reporting requirements from the Administration, so the Legislature can continue to track and monitor the EA shelter program.”   

The legislation enhances the existing residency requirements for families in the shelter system, ensuring assistance is received by those who are Massachusetts residents.  

Those in shelter would be able to stay for up to six months, and those families with young children, a pregnant person late in their pregnancy, or in other vulnerable circumstances, would be able to receive hardship exemptions to increase their length of stay. The bill requires verification of personal details to confirm that shelter residents are eligible for benefits.   

The legislation ensures fiscal responsibility by including new guidelines for implementation of the shelter system intended to control costs and increase safety. It funds temporary respite sites for families in crisis for up to 30 days and requires adult applicants for emergency housing assistance to disclose prior criminal convictions before placement into housing. The bill would also limit or exclude individuals with serious crimes from receiving assistance.    

In line with the Administration’s goal to reduce reliance on hotels and motels, the Senate’s legislation caps the number of families in shelters at 4,000 families, beginning on December 31, 2025, and requires that the administration submit biweekly reports to the legislature on the number of families in shelter. The bill phases out the use of hotels and motels for emergency housing by the end of this year and requires a report on strategies to prevent homelessness and promote stable rehousing.  

A previous version of this bill having passed the House of Representatives, the two branches will now reconcile the differences between the bills before sending it to the Governor’s desk. 

Department of Early Education and Care Data Shows Continued Stability and Growth for Massachusetts Child Care System

Department of Early Education and Care Data Shows Continued Stability and Growth for Massachusetts Child Care System 

Massachusetts added over 8,700 new child care seats in the last year with support from C3 program 

FRAMINGHAM — At today’s meeting of the Board of Early Education and Care, the Healey-Driscoll Administration presented data analysis that shows that the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program continues to drive growth across the state’s early education and care system. C3 supported more than 7,500 programs in Massachusetts this fiscal year, helping them employ more than 45,000 educators. With support from C3, the state added 8,700 center-based and family child care seats for children in the last year, continuing to expand beyond pre-pandemic license capacity and helping to make costs more affordable. The system has now grown by 45,000 seats compared to the pandemic-low in spring of 2021.  

“Under our administration, Massachusetts is the only state to maintain C3 funding at the same level the federal government did. I am proud that we made this program permanent last year – which has been a gamechanger for not only maintaining but growing the number of child care seats in every region of the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I want to thank the Legislature for their continued partnership. Thanks to C3, more families are able to enroll their children in affordable child care, more parents can return to the workforce and more educators are being hired at higher wages.” 

“Two years ago, C3 funding helped our child care system expand beyond pre-pandemic capacity. I’m excited to see the system continued to grow this past year, adding more affordable seats across the state, increasing educator wages and reducing the number of open staff positions,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Child care is an essential part of our economy – it’s good for families and it’s good for business.” 

C3 supports early education and care providers’ day-to-day operational costs, including compensation and additional workforce and quality investments that enable programs to better recruit and retain staff while mitigating increased costs for families. Over 87% of licensed and funded early education and care programs completed EEC’s survey between August and September 2024. The main findings from the data analysis include: 

• Child care licensed capacity continues to increase, with the capacity to serve 8,700 more children (4 percent increase) compared to the same time last year. 

  • Licensed capacity is continuing to grow in all types of communities in Massachusetts, especially in areas that have historically lacked resources and opportunities. 

  • Over the last two years, the state added 17,423 center-based and family child care seats for children. 

• Providers are directing a larger proportion of C3 funding to workforce-related expenses, increasing the workforce-related percentage from 66 in 2023 to 68 this past year. This includes providers investing in existing payroll and benefits and investments in salary increases. 

  • Educator compensation continues to grow, increasing almost 20% in the last two and a half years, exceeding average inflation over that same time period. 

  • Signs of improvement are also seen broadly in the early education and care workforce as the percentage of vacant positions across the system decreased from 11% to 9% compared to 2023. 

• C3 has helped programs operating in low- and moderate-opportunity communities maintain affordability, with approximately 50% of center-based programs in very low/low Child Opportunity Index areas reporting they have not increased tuition in the past 6 months and don’t plan to do so in the next 6 months. 

• A majority of programs receiving C3 continue to report providing financial support to families beyond the state’s Child Care Financial Assistance programs, including 72% of center-based providers offering reduced tuition for educators and staff. 

The data shows that C3 effectively helped to stabilize the child care system and continues to support system-wide growth through investments in workforce, quality, and affordability. The survey findings also highlight where more work is still needed: while educator wages have continued to rise, they remain low. 

“Today’s survey data shows that C3 investments continue to have a positive impact on Massachusetts’ early education and care programs, families, and our larger economy. The Healey-Driscoll administration has prioritized accessible, affordable and equitable child care, and I am proud to see the progress that we have made. We will continue the work to ensure that our youngest learners receive the highest quality education they deserve and that early childhood educators can meet their economic mobility goals,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

“Under Governor Healey’s leadership, and in partnership with the Legislature, C3 continues to be an essential part of the early education and care infrastructure, helping us move towards the accessible and affordable child care system families deserve in Massachusetts,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These data demonstrate that C3 is a smart and critical investment in our educators and our working families, contributing directly to the State’s economic competitiveness.” 

"Today's data reaffirms what we’ve known: the C3 program is a transformative investment in Massachusetts’ children, families, and educators. By stabilizing and strengthening early education and care programs, we are not only increasing access to high-quality learning opportunities but also ensuring that our workforce is supported and fairly compensated. The continued expansion of child care capacity reflects our commitment to making early education more equitable and accessible across the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing this work alongside our partners to build a system that meets the needs of all families," said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care.  

In Massachusetts, the C3 Program was originally created to distribute federal child care stabilization funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. After preserving the program’s full funding amid sunsetting federal funding, Governor Healey, with the support of the Legislature, signed a final fiscal year 2025 budget that codified the program in state law. The Governor’s FY26 budget includes sustained funding for C3 at $475 million. 

The initial findings from the fall 2024 survey will be available here and will be updated as EEC does further analysis. 

外國政府代理人案陪審團裁定梁利堂無罪

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 2023年在波士頓本地發生的” 外國代理人” 事件，2月10日在12名陪審員長時間辯論後，無異議通過，被控把波士頓地區政治異議人士資訊提供給中國共產黨的梁利堂 (Litang Liang)無罪。

現年65歲，住在Brighton的梁利堂，在2023年時被聯邦檢察官控訴，在2018年到北京和中國共產黨的一個部門開會後，在波士頓成立了”新英格蘭和平統一聯盟 (Derege Demissie)”，負責收集中國政府所關注的地方異議人士，以及親台灣，反中國組織的資訊，並招募人員。

檢察官稱，梁利堂的行動，有如一名外國政府代理人，但他並未依法登記這一身分。美國助理檢察官Timothy Kiatner上週五 (2月7日) 在結案陳詞中告訴陪審團，中國政府找梁利堂是因為他們想要有個已經在社區中參與活動，知道誰在那兒的人。

美國助理檢察官Matthew G. Olsen在2023年5月的起訴書中稱，美國政府不會容忍中國在美國境內干預公共言論，威脅人民的公共參與行動。時任麻州美國檢察官的Rachael Rollins也說，梁利堂的行動很可能讓麻州的人處於危險之中。

              在中國出生，具美國公民身分的梁利堂否認指控，辯稱自己無罪。他的辯護律師也稱指控”荒謬”，是壓制地方社區活躍份子言論自由行動，打擊支持民主統治的台灣和中國大陸”統一”，這和中國領導層一致的觀點。

              裁決宣佈時，梁利堂經由翻譯告訴記者們，”正義終於來了。我愛我的祖國，也愛美國，我是無辜的”。

              起訴這一案件的美國檢察官Leah Foley在一份聲明中表示，檢察官尊重陪審團的決定，但對2月10日的裁決感到失望。

MAYOR WU AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCE NEW EFFORT TO MAKE SPACE FOR CREATIVE ENTERPRISES

 MAYOR WU AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCE NEW EFFORT TO MAKE SPACE FOR CREATIVE ENTERPRISES

City invites visionary ideas for transforming vacant spaces in Downtown Boston into a hub of creativity, commerce, and community.

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu, the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA), and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) today unveiled a new effort to bring Boston’s creative enterprises to Downtown Boston. This new effort aims to support the revitalization of the neighborhood by transforming vacant office and retail spaces into affordable, dynamic spaces for artistic production, performance, and community engagement. The Request for Information (RFI) issued today is open to all interested parties, focusing on artists, creative professionals, cultural space operators, property owners, and developers. Proposed uses might include studio space for visual artists, recording studios, performance venues, or art galleries. Mayor Wu and MOAC are investing in these spaces to foster a thriving cultural ecosystem, fuel creative industries, and encourage new business opportunities.

“Boston has long been a city that leads with innovation and creativity,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Home to the country's most creative and entrepreneurial individuals, our City is committed to expanding accessible culture space across Boston. Whether you’re an artist collective, an arts-tech innovator, or a property owner looking to breathe new life into your space, this is an opportunity to collaborate in revitalizing one of Boston’s most dynamic neighborhoods.”

"Downtown Boston is where our city and region come together - to work, dine, shop, take in a show, enjoy an art exhibition, and much more,” said Mike Nichols, President of Downtown Boston Alliance. “Focusing on bringing new creative enterprises Downtown will play a pivotal role in the evolution of the neighborhood and the Downtown Boston Alliance is eager to work alongside the Wu Administration to pair a new generation of artists and creative entrepreneurs with economic and cultural opportunities in the heart of our city."

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Downtown Boston has seen an increase in office and retail vacancy rates, leaving many spaces underutilized. This new initiative led by the city aims to support Creative Enterprise Downtown as part of a broader effort to help strengthen and revitalize the neighborhood, including efforts to increase foot traffic and activity downtown. Key components of this strategy include the Office to Residential Conversion Program, which is currently slated to create 760 new apartments, unlocking more than $300 million in private investment, and the SPACE grant program, which provides opportunities for small business owners to open their new or next storefront location in major commercial districts like Downtown. To date, it has directly invested $1.8 million into 15 small and diverse businesses specifically in the Downtown area. This effort also builds upon the Chinatown Cultural Plan, a multi-pronged project to protect cultural activity within the Chinatown community and to create more coordination across Chinatown’s arts and culture stakeholders.

There is a global precedent for leveraging the creative economy and enterprise to revitalize Downtowns, including in London and Austin, Texas. The City is partnering with the DBA to learn from these models and adapt them to Boston’s unique context. Following the close of the RFI, the MOAC Cultural Planning Team intends to invest $200,000 in pilot initiatives that support the growth of the creative economy Downtown.

The Space for Creative Enterprise Downtown RFI has three main objectives:

• Supporting Economic Revitalization: Boost foot traffic in the downtown area, stimulate new business opportunities, and create jobs in the creative industries.
• Creating Community Gathering Spaces: Enhance public spaces and foster community pride through active, accessible cultural programming.
• Nurturing an Innovation Ecosystem: Attract and support talent and investment from the tech and creative sectors, positioning Downtown Boston as a vibrant center for cultural and economic activity.

“Boston is overflowing with creatives of all types who need affordable spaces to do their work,” said Kenny Mascary, Interim Chief of the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture. “These cultural spaces provide the infrastructure that artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations need to make Boston their home. I’m excited to harness the incredible energy and imagination of our creative community to offer new solutions and create an equitable and exciting Downtown space that Boston needs and deserves.”

"By transforming vacant space into hubs for artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, we are nurturing a more vibrant and equitable Downtown,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “This initiative works in tandem with other initiatives to revitalize the neighborhood. Through these strategies, we’re creating a dynamic Downtown where everyone has a chance to thrive."

"I am excited about this new effort from the City and the Downtown Business Alliance to partner with local business and real estate leaders to bring fresh creative life to the neighborhood. This sort of collaboration bringing fresh ideas can help transform vacant spaces, and bring new vitality to Downtown Boston" said John Rattigan, Partner at DLA Piper and the first chairman of the Downtown Boston Alliance. 

“Boston is my hometown – I’ve been working and creating in this city for over 20 years. As a working artist and entrepreneur, affordable housing and creative space have been among my biggest challenges to navigate,” said Ashton Lites, also known as Stiggity Stackz. “My goal is to continue creating spaces that facilitate community building/bonding, creativity, and innovation. Having affordable space in downtown Boston would allow me to expand my dance and creative entrepreneurship programs, providing a dedicated space for mentorship, collaboration, and growth. It would help me continue to develop the next generation of dancers, artists, and community leaders while contributing to the strength and diversity of Boston's creative scene” 

Interested parties should submit their proposal here by 11:59 a.m. on April 18, 2025. Local, national, and international submissions are welcome. Questions can be directed to arts@boston.gov anytime before the submission deadline. Please use the following subject line: “[Respondent Organization’s Name] - Query Space for Creative Enterprise in Downtown.” 

e MOAC website.

紐英崙中華公所9隊醒獅賀歲 巾幗出動金蛇最搶鏡

波士頓華埠慶祝蛇年醒獅賀歲。巾幗醒獅隊出動金蛇拜年。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所 (CCBA-NE) 2月9日在波士頓華埠菲立普廣場舉行的年度醒獅賀歲，有9名州市議員出席，9隊醒獅團鑼鼓喧天的輪番上陣，還有金蛇、財神現身，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 等政要陸續趕到現場，向華埠民眾送上新年祝福。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝介紹嘉賓。(周菊子攝)

              紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝恭喜所有人新年快樂，感謝一眾州市議員，以及駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處的黃耀良組長和波士頓僑教中心主任高家富來到現場，與民同歡。

              波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)載著Celtic球隊的綠帽子，比原定時間遲了將近一小時的從另一場活動中匆匆趕來，簡短致詞。她說今年的瑞雪，降得時間真完美，感謝市府工作人員及時清掃街道，讓大家仍然可以欣賞醒獅賀歲活動。

中華公所董事余麗媖(右起)和最早到場的嘉賓，麻州眾議員Aaron Michlewitz，
波士頓經文處黃耀良組長，僑教中心主任高家富，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，
Erin Murphy，廣教學校校長王焰彬，麻州眾議員黃子安。(周菊子攝)

              黃耀良組長與高家富主任也分別代表經文處和僑委會，以英語祝福眾人身體健康，新年快樂。

              波士頓華埠今年的醒獅賀歲，頗為特別，洪青體育會、華林派，巾幗醒獅隊，安良醒獅團，黃強醒獅團，黃氏公所醒獅團，南派華美文化中心，廣教學校醒獅團，胡青白鶴派都有團隊負責人帶隊到場，不但依照傳統的敲鑼打鼓，採青獻桔，還各出奇謀，爭取眼球。

波士頓市長吳弭笑說天公作美。(周菊子攝)

              巾幗醒獅隊創辦人陳清音特地上台說明，為因應12生肖今年正好蛇年，他們特地製作了一條金蛇上陣，還另外訂做了馬來西亞客家獅來表演。

              從昆士市來參加醒獅賀歲活動的黃強醒獅團，派出一名大頭財神全程跟隨，瑞獅在台上舞動，財神在台下跳陣，氣氛十足。

              波士頓安良醒獅隊有超武館人馬打底，由Sorat Ly帶隊，拋出了”新年快樂"、”恭喜發財”、”Happy New Year”的祝福春聯。

安良醒獅隊十分傳統，拋出新年賀軸。(周菊子攝)

              洪青體育會由波士頓洪門致公堂主席譚偉明率隊上場，不但有成人獅隊，還有幼獅在嘉賓到齊前，先做了一場熱身表演。

              華林派有Bob Rosen和余翠梅 (Mai Du)師徒率領5頭七彩瑞獅出場，在顏色上最是搶鏡。黃氏醒獅團有美東副總理黃偉健和波士頓黃氏主席黃光沐率隊演出。廣教學校有校長王焰彬和副校長余仲強率隊。南派華美文化中心有創辦人麻州眾議員黃子安坐鎮。             

黃強醒獅隊帶著財神爺一起跑。(周菊子攝)

              到賀的州市議員有每年例必到會的麻州眾議員麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)、黃子安 (Donald Wong)，波士頓市議會議長Ruthzee Louijeune， Erin Murphy，Henry Santana，議員愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)等人。

民眾湊熱鬧，給小朋友穿上大喜禮服上街。(周菊子攝)

              今年的圍觀群眾也格外熱絡，越擠越近的圍到台前搶鏡頭。往年只有台上嘉賓會給瑞獅紅包”利市”，今年居然還有不少民眾也紛紛掏出紅包，向瑞獅討吉祥。更有意思的是，不只有大人給小孩穿上喜氣洋洋的全套禮服，還有一名越南裔哈佛大學生，全身穿上明朝漢服，出現在華埠街頭，彷彿要把新年帶回古代，讓人感受更傳統的新年一般。

哈佛學生穿上明代漢服逛華埠，為農曆新年添氣氛。(周菊子攝)

中華公所董事胡衛正(前左一)的胡清白鶴派獲得特別待遇，和嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

9頭瑞獅齊舞，波士頓華埠再現人海。(周菊子攝)

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND THE OFFICE OF CIVIC ORGANIZING ANNOUNCE 2025 LOVE YOUR BLOCK DATES

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND THE OFFICE OF CIVIC ORGANIZING ANNOUNCE 2025  LOVE YOUR BLOCK DATES City celebrating 10 years of annual spring neighborhood cleanups

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Civic Organizing (OCO) today announced the 2025 Love Your Block spring cleanups will take place on Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, April 12. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Love Your Block, a program that has mobilized thousands of residents in community-led cleanups to beautify Boston’s neighborhoods. Originally launched as Boston Shines and rebranded in 2015, Love Your Block has become a key initiative for civic engagement in Boston. Over the past decade, the program has empowered residents to take ownership of their public spaces, fostering community pride and connection through hands-on neighborhood beautification projects. These projects include street cleanups, park revitalization, planting flowers, and mulching.  The Love Your Block registration is now open for volunteers to sign up as hosts here. Alternatively, individuals who wish to join an existing neighborhood cleanup as a volunteer can pre-register here. After registration closes on March 3, 2025, the Office of Civic Organizing (OCO) will provide registered volunteers with a list of cleanup sites in their neighborhood that are accepting participants. “Love Your Block cleanups have been a fantastic way of bringing communities together across Boston and one I have personally enjoyed taking part in,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “For the past 10 years, this program has empowered residents to take pride in their communities by giving them the tools to keep their neighborhoods sparkling. Together we celebrate the start of spring and take ownership of keeping our public spaces beautiful.” The Love Your Block program was established in 2015 through a three-year grant awarded to the City of Boston by Cities of Service. Following the expiration of the grant in 2018, Love Your Block was integrated as a permanent city program. Cleanups will take place in every neighborhood of Boston over the course of two weekends. The 2025 dates are as follows: Saturday, April 5: Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, Leather District, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, North End, Roslindale, South Boston, West End, West Roxbury and Wharf District. Saturday, April 12: Bay Village, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, Roxbury, and South End. "Love Your Block is a reflection of Boston's spirit, neighbors coming together not only to care for the places we call home but also to strengthen the bonds that connect us,” said Nathalia Benitez-Perez, Director of the Office of Civic Organizing. “I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our volunteers who work closely with us to keep this tradition alive." Love Your Block had record participation numbers last year, with more than 2,000 volunteers across 121 sites citywide. After last year’s success, the Office of Civic Organizing is partnering again with Boston Public Library and Boston Centers for Youth & Families to serve as centralized locations where community members can conveniently pick up and return cleanup tools. All participating sites are listed on the Love Your Block page, along with tips on how to host your own Love Your Block cleanup site. Tool collection is scheduled from 9:00-10:00 a.m., with returns to the same location between 12:00-2:00 p.m. On Friday, April 4, the Downtown Boston Alliance (DBA) will kick off this year’s Love Your Block cleanups with its annual Friday beautification project, marking the official start of the citywide initiative. The DBA coordinates this cleanup, but people can sign up through the City as individual volunteers here. “For ten years, the City of Boston's Love Your Block event has brought the community together to celebrate the emergence of spring and to take pride in our respective neighborhoods through an annual day of service. The Downtown Boston Alliance congratulates the City on this milestone, and for the leadership of each city official who has supported the ongoing success of this treasured volunteer activity," said Michael J. Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Alliance. “Further, our organization has been honored to host a volunteer site downtown since 2008, back when Love Your Block was known as Boston Shines, and we look forward to continuing to bring together residents, students and Downtown's business community in support of beautifying our shared neighborhood.”  "The Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the BOLD Teens have participated in Love Your Block for all of the years that it has been Love Your Block and before that with Boston Shines. We truly appreciate the resources and energy this city initiative brings to our neighborhood,” said Cynthia Loesch-Johnson of Dorchester. “It has helped us to take care of both Codman Square Park and the Dr. Loesch Family Park over the decades. Residents of all ages look forward to this event each year where they get to clean, paint, plant and beautify our neighborhood parks and have the support of the city in doing so." The Office of Civic Organizing will provide volunteers with cleanup tools including trash bags, gloves, brooms, rakes, trash pickers and a Love Your Block t-shirt. Hosts leading a cleanup can request tools until Friday, March 3 at 5:00 p.m. here. “The Community Engagement Cabinet is thrilled to celebrate 10 years of our city’s Love Your Block initiative,” said Brianna Millor, Chief of the Community Engagement Cabinet. “This initiative inspires Boston residents, community leaders, and volunteers each year to think about a street, local park, or neighborhood that could use some extra care. Together, we collaborate to beautify Boston, one block at a time.”