星期五, 5月 23, 2014

華埠公園旁豪華住宅弧度大廈剪綵啟用

提供連鎖金,捐地給好事福/平安巷大廈建可負擔住宅的波士頓弧度大廈(Radian Boston),昨(廿二)日邀得波士頓市長馬丁華殊剪綵啟用。
波士頓弧度大廈(Radian Boston)是由北美乞臣集團的奧瑞朗(Ori Ron)與其子諾安(Noam Ron)這對父子檔發起,其後森林市(Forest City)集團加入的土地發展計劃,樓高26層,約70個停車位,共有240戶,都是豪華出租單位。
波士頓市長馬丁華殊稱許弧度大廈是個真正的合作成功項目,既照顧到了市場需求,也建造了更多的可負擔住宅,他將邀奧瑞朗與市府合作,以弧度大廈為範例,推動更多這類合作。
奧瑞朗坦言自己是1992年才來到美國的猶太裔移民,在波市檢查部門(ISD)一位名叫查理的工作人員大方協助下,才順利了解要在波士頓市做土地開發需要懂得的一應事務。他感謝紐英崙中華公所,陳灼鋆等華埠社區的許多人,還指出波士頓市長馬丁華殊是名真正肯聆聽民意的市長,曾經在一個大風雪日子進入華埠,和他一起與華埠居民談了將近一個半小時。
弧度大廈(Radian Boston)是森林市(Forest City)集團在波士頓的第一個土地開發項目,也是緊鄰綠路的第一個私營機構,由波士頓著名的Elkus Manfredi建築師樓所設計,主要設計者為Perkins Eastman
根據波士頓市府及弧度大廈管理單位提供的資料,全部240戶,都是出租單位,其中235個市價單位,5個可負擔住宅。每月租金約為套房(studio$2960,一睡房 $3410,兩睡房 $4160,共有十八個單位的頂層閣樓 $5995
弧度大廈在今年二月時對外公佈的各單位尺寸為,套房,以及一或二睡房,面積在563平方尺至1082平方尺之間。頂層閣樓為662-1471平方尺之間。
弧度大廈昨日開放給出席剪彩典禮者參觀。多名皮革區住戶在參觀時表示,無論是24樓或5樓,位於弧度所在處的單位,可以遠眺,讓人一覽無遺的市區風景,在波士頓市區中十分少見。
其中五樓是擺有新穎健身設備的健身房,有以不同色系沙發分出三個區域,配有廚房的交誼室。另備有一睡房的客房,供租戶有訪客時租用。
弧度大廈面向益士石街(Essex)的地面一樓,將有4500平方尺的零售店面,將開設餐廳。
 
圖片說明:

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)(左一)稱讚奧瑞朗(Ori Ron,右二)的弧度大廈是個真正的合作開發案例。右一為華埠社區議會共同主席陳灼鋆。(菊子攝)

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)(左四)與奧瑞朗(Ori Ron,右二),陳灼鋆(右三)等人因昨日下雨,改在帳篷內剪綵。(菊子攝)

            弧度大廈(中)矗立在華埠公園旁。(菊子攝)

Newest Luxury Rental Anchors Southern Portion of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway

BOSTON– May 27, 2014 — Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined co-developers Forest City Boston and Hudson Group North America to celebrate the opening of Radian – Downtown Boston’s newest luxury rental development – with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Thursday, May 22 on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. The event welcomed local dignitaries, members of the community and development and construction teams, who witnessed the opening of the premier 26-story development.

“We’re pleased to announce the official opening of Radian. Our team believes the project’s notable location, as it’s right on the Greenway near the Financial District and South Station, truly sets it apart in the market,” said Ron Ratner, President and CEO of Forest City Residential Group. “With the influx of tech start-ups and the increase of the city’s venture capital, more residents will be setting their sights on this neighborhood and we foresee that Radian will be coming onto the scene at the right time to serve as a prime residential destination.”

Mayor Walsh, alongside Ratner; Frank Wuest and Doug Arsham of Forest City Boston, Noam Ron and Ori Ron of Hudson Group, Jesse Brackenbury of the Greenway Conservancy, as well as 
Bill Moy, chairman of the Chinatown Neighborhood Council took scissors to the ribbon, announcing the building’s official completion. The $130-million project broke ground in September 2012 and opened for occupancy this May.

Located at 120 Kingston Street, at the nexus of the Leather District, Financial District and Chinatown, the development is one of the premiere residential projects situated on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway and is in close proximity to Downtown Boston’s South Station transportation hub.

Radian, composed of 240 homes, offers expansive amenities including a resident lounge equipped with a conference room, bar, catering kitchen and continental breakfast bar, fitness center, cold storage and 24-hour concierge service. Additionally, residents of the building will have access to James Beard Finalist 
Matt Jennings’ latest restaurant, Townsman, slated to open in late 2014.

Remaining homes include studios, one-, one-with flex, two-and three-bedroom residences. Pricing begins at $2,960 for a studio and $4,160 for a two-bedroom home, and penthouses begin at $5,995 per month.

麻州修訂選舉法 選民將可提早投票,網上辦登記

麻州州長派區克(Deval Patrick)昨(廿二)日大筆一揮,麻州選民將可提早投票,網上辦理選民登記,提前至十六歲辦理選民登記。
麻州選民從2016年起,將可提前十一天,在指定地點投票,或以郵寄方式投票,期以鼓勵更多人參與投票這公民事務。
            除了2016年的初選之外,新的提前投票法適用所有州級選舉。
該一新法案也允許人民在完成數位的登記宣誓後,可在網上登記成為選民。州政府也將設立網站,更新民眾的選民登記狀態。
新法令也准許除了年齡之外,符合所有資格要求者,在十六歲時就提前登記成為選民。
這些人將在年度選民登記表上被列為提前登記者,直至他們達到投票年齡止。
在總統大選年,需作自動稽查的條文,也包括在新法案中,以確保投票機制的正確性。
麻州投票(MassVote)行政主任Cheryl Clyburn Crawford表示,麻州此舉是加入其他23州行列,通過了網上登記成為選民法。她指該做法已經顯示出,不僅提高了選民投票率,也促成很大幅度的費用節省。在亞利桑納州(AZ)處理紙板登記表的費用是83分錢,但辦理網上選民登記的費用為3分錢。網上選民登記是用汽車監理處的資料庫來做確認的。


圖片說明:
CC052214D-1
            麻州州長派區克(前中)在麻州州務卿威廉蓋文(左一)等人見證中,簽署新選舉法。(圖由麻州州長辦公室提供)
Governor Signs Senator Finegold’s Groundbreaking Election Laws Reform Bill into Law
Bill allows for early voting, online voter registration and pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds

BOSTON – Senator Barry R. Finegold (D—Andover) announced today that the Governor signed his comprehensive Elections Laws Reform bill into law, modernizing our state’s election laws and preserving our fundamental voting rights. The new law authorizes early voting for biennial state general elections, online voter registration and pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds. Finegold advocated for passage of the bill for years and served as the Senate’s lead negotiator on the conference committee.

“Anytime we can increase access and voter participation it is a positive step towards greater electoral engagement.” Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover) said. “I am proud of the bill the Legislature passed and the Governor signed to update our antiquated election laws and make voting more accessible to the modern Massachusetts family. Early voting, pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds and online voter registration are a few of the significant reforms passed today that will enhance voter access and increase participation in the electoral process.”

Under this bill, Massachusetts will become the 33rd state to allow early voting. The period for early voting will begin 11 business days before an election and end at the close of polls two business days before the election. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of State to create an online voter registration system as well as a secure online portal to allow voters to easily check their voter registration status and polling location.

The bill also requires audits of voting machines every four years after Presidential general elections. This stands as another significant reform in the bill and a key step in ensuring that we maintain the integrity of our voting system. Specifically, the bill necessitates that the state conduct election audits during presidential general election years in races that have more than one candidate on the ballot for President and Vice President, Representative in Congress, Senator in Congress, State Representative and State Senator, as well as one statewide ballot question. Precincts to be audited must be chosen in a random drawing and the number selected must be equal to 3% of all precincts in the Commonwealth. The Secretary of State will oversee the audits, and if a discrepancy arises, subsequent audits may be performed.

This piece of legislation also places voters on the inactive list only after failing to respond to two consecutive annual town censuses and not voting in an election during that time. Under current law, a voter can be placed on the inactive list for not filling out an annual census. In addition, the bill allows a voter whose political designation does not list a candidate in a primary election to be considered unenrolled and receive a ballot for the political party of the voter’s choosing. The legal definition of “political designation” does not include the republican and democrat political parties.

The bill also includes provisions that:

  • Require municipal election officials to attend annual training given by the Secretary of State regarding applicable state and federal election laws;
  • Permit municipalities to apply for a waiver from the Secretary of State in order to hire fewer election officers than required by statute;
  • Eliminate the requirement for a cancellation device on voting machines;
  • Require the Secretary of State to study existing laws with regard to residency requirements for purposes of voting; and
  • Establish an elections task force to review early voting and expanding technology, including costs, administrative requirements, reductions in wait times on Election Day, the feasibility of additional early voting sites and hours, voter turnout, Election Day mobile alerts and online voting.  

星期四, 5月 22, 2014

中華頤養院年會慶祝遷址表揚員工

中華頤養院康復中心廿日晚在昆士龍鳳酒樓舉行年會,重溫喬遷新址的喜悅,感謝捐款者的慷慨,表揚員工的貢獻,聲明該中心仍在波士頓華埠留有辦公室。
            成立於1985年的中華頤養院康復中心(South Cove Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center)已於五月十八日完成從波士頓市所物(Shawmut)街搬遷至昆士市華盛頓街288號的大工程。從100增至141個的床位,目前仍在安排新院民入住。該機構留在波士頓市的辦公室將由住院協調員劉嘉琳(617-939-7197, mandy.lau@southcovemanor.org)負責聯繫,每週有兩天,安排車輛在波士頓接送民眾進昆市。
            在慶祝美輪美奐新址落成的延續氣氛中,中華頤養院康復中心廿日晚舉行的年會邀得不下二百名嘉賓出席。
昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch),麻州眾議會的多數黨領袖Ronald Mariano,轄區在昆市的眾議員陳德基等人都應邀到會,並歡迎該機構成為新的昆士市一分子。
            該中心董事會董事長雷偉志,執行長陳逢想,院長陳力,以及董事陳秀英,當晚分別就營運概況,未來要務,發展方向等做報告。
            當晚派發的中華頤養院的年度報告,也列舉了該機構過去一年來的成就,包括共為191名院民及其家人服務,每個月都平均有85人參加早餐講座,員工能說共七種語言,有不下235名捐款者支持他們的工作,共烹煮了13萬份營養餐,再度獲得全美僅有25%醫療護理機構能獲得的五星級評等,還獲得公共衛生部年度調查的零缺點評分。
            在年度報告中,中華頤養院還驕傲展示該機構員工的忠誠,今年有四人服務滿25年,三人服務滿20年,五人服務滿15年。
會中頒發了丁大衛(譯音,David T. Ting)傑出領袖獎,表揚該中心護理質量主管(MDS Coordinator)姚斌,宣佈護士謝承歡(譯音,Chenhuan Xie)獲得喬治史立德中心/SCM護理設施基金獎學金。
中華頤養院董事長雷偉志還特地訂做一個鑲有中華頤養院照片的巨大相框,聊以感謝該中心執行長陳逢想在擴建過程中的辛勤與功勞。
姚斌來自中國,本是天津醫科大學畢業的牙醫,來美後因無醫師牌照,無法行醫,在麻省總醫院進修護理碩士時,經老師介紹進中華頤養院實習,沒想到就此一待十三年。過去一連四年,由於她與護士們的通力合作,中華頤養院在申報白卡醫療費上,獲得百分之百給付的佳績。姚斌強調,她其實只是代表領獎,功勞屬於護理部門的所有人。
當晚獲選連任董事會幹部者,包括主席雷偉志,副主席May Y. Chin,財政陳遇均,Hemmie Chang,陳逢想,獲選連任三年董事者,包括Marianne B. BowlerHemmie ChangMay Y. ChinSusan Xu Luo
         
圖片說明:

            丁大衛(譯音,David T. Ting)(左)夫婦頒傑出領袖獎,表揚姚斌(中)。(菊子攝)

            中華頤養院董事長雷偉志(左)送出一個大相框,感謝執行長陳逢想在該機構擴建十的辛勞。(菊子攝)


            昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)(右)稱許陳秀英(左)和中華頤養院的成績,歡迎他們進昆市。(菊子攝)

亞太裔精神健康論壇鼓勵人藉藝術抒發,平衡心理

麻州精神健康局(Massachusetts Department of Mental Health)日前在西蒙斯(Simmons)學院舉辦第五屆亞太裔島民精神健康論壇,強調人們可藉由超越語言及文化障礙的各種不同藝術形式,來治癒精神創傷。
            今年的會議由麻州精神健康局的Edward Wang,打破沈默計劃創辦人陳偉玲(Christina Chan),亞裔婦女健康會黃千姬等十二人籌劃,邀元氣火花(Genki Sparks)創辦人楊愛倫(Karen Young)分享經驗。塔芙茨大學醫學院助理教授Carolyn Rubin主持座談。
            楊愛倫指出,“元氣火花”是個以學習敲打太鼓,表演,運動,讓婦女盡情抒發,認識自己,不怕犯錯的地方。現有成員16人,年紀分別在1659歲之間。
            楊愛倫坦言自己成長於一個多元家庭,曾為自己到底是誰而不斷掙扎。她透露,母親是日本藝妓的祖父,1930年代經商來美,做過各種工作,婚後育有兩子。當美國與日本交惡,在境內設立日本集中營時,她祖父躲進中國人圈子,一連六年,沈迷於打麻將。她母親23歲時成為單身母親,因親友不諒解,遷離華埠,掙扎度日。儘管在她七歲那年,她母親就過世了,但她跟著母親生活時,有時在車裏,有時在更衣室內,長時間等待,眼睜睜看著形容憔悴的母親為生活掙扎,她卻無能為力。那心酸記憶,她迄今揮之不去。
            母親過世後,她開始跟父親過日子。父親的經濟能力雖然較好,在郊區有棟房子,娶了愛爾蘭人做她的繼母,但父親十分暴力,整個家庭環境讓她很沒有安全感,上床睡覺時總是全身衣著整齊,彷彿準備隨時逃難。
            楊愛倫透露,自己開始知道有種族歧視,還是上了大學以後。由於她不會說中文,對中國傳統文化所知有限,儘管學校裡有亞裔學生彼此成群結隊,她卻深感自己不夠亞裔,打不進那圈子,在課堂上學到黑人女性為民權奮鬥的歷史時,還一度興奮的想要當名黑人。
            後來她見到打太鼓,深深為女生也可以這麼陽剛,一槌在手,就無所畏懼的感覺而著迷,才走上創辦“元氣火花”這條路。楊愛倫說,她希望藉“元氣火花”給婦女們一個地方,可以不怕犯錯,不怕很有主見的抒發自己。
            “元氣火花”隊中的中日混血兒馬寶珠,菲律賓裔的59歲祖母Mary Ann Hibino,這天與楊愛倫一起表演太鼓,也分享了他們的故事。
            馬寶珠透露她的大家族聚會時,總是11個小孩圍桌而坐。她在家裡倒是沒人要求她女孩子不可以太外向,太主動。但她在學校裏,在社區中,卻不由自主感受到人們認為亞裔應該沈靜這刻板印象所帶來的壓力。打太鼓給了她抒發機會。
Mary Ann Hibino透露,自己十三歲來美升學,在俄亥俄州的公立學校,全校只有她一人是黃皮膚,讓她感到自己有如天外來客,深怕動輒得咎,日子過得戰戰兢兢。成長結婚後,她照顧家庭,孩子,所有的付出,辛苦,都好像理所當然,讓她一直覺得自己過得好累。直到她遇見了楊愛倫,發現了“元氣火花”,在這兒找到了互相扶持的姐妹,終於讓她可以不再為了把時間給自己而感到愧疚。
當天下午的分組活動,介紹不同的藝術形式可以如何用來治療心理,精神不適,包括數位說故事,經由聲音來治療,經由寫作來治療,影音(photovoice),拼貼的治療力量(The healing power of Collage)等。

圖片說明:

            左起,Mary Ann Hibino,楊愛倫,馬寶珠示範打太鼓帶給她們的歡樂與生氣。(菊子攝)

            會場。(菊子攝)


            陳偉玲示範如何以“戲劇”來獲得精神抒發的治療效果。(菊子攝)

尚莫維爾市宣佈停止安全社區法

麻州尚莫維爾市(Somerville)市長柯塔托(Joseph Curtatone )昨(廿一)日呼籲麻州議員,市鎮領導人追隨他的做法,停止參加聯邦政府的“安全社區( Secure Communities)”法。
            聯邦政府的安全社區法要求地方警察羈押面對遣返命運,或違犯移民法者。
            柯塔托昨日在市政府大樓前舉行記者會時指出,就像許多法案行動一樣,安全社區法的初衷也很好,但執行結果是拆散了那些沒犯罪的家庭,遣返了那些平日守法,但犯了諸如車尾燈壞了沒修這些法令的個別人士。
            柯塔托表示,他將簽署行政命令,終止尚莫維爾市已參加了兩年的“安全社區”法。他說,該一決定有兩個目的,一是保住家庭團圓,一是讓社區更安全。
            柯塔托指出,自從尚莫維爾市實施社區安全法以後,移民們害怕被遣返,不敢跟警察說話了。
            市府官員表示,過去兩、三年來,無證件移民被警察以違反移民法拘留的案件,只發生過不到一打。但每一宗個案都在社區內造成遠大於一個人的影響。
            尚莫維爾警察局局長 Charles J. Femino表示,市內曾經發生過諸如住宅遭入侵等嚴重案件,但警察卻無法從怕受移民身份狀態影響的人們那兒獲得資訊。
            他說,基本上,安全社區法在警察和社區之間築起了一道牆。

            柯塔托表示,無證件移民被控刑事罪時,尚莫維爾市仍然會和移民及海關執行部門合作,但該市將不再因為違反移民法而拘押人民。他說他的決定對聯邦政府撥發資助市府沒有影響。