波士頓復旦校友迎春談理財

波士頓復旦大學校友會十七日迎春聚會，下午學習理財，晚上帝苑聚餐。三十多名校友暢敘，樂不可支。

復旦大學校友會會長高璐表示，校友們從學校畢業，跨入社會工作後，難免得繼續規劃未來人生，甚至考慮退休以後的生活，這次聚會，特地邀請在投資理財上卓有成就的校友郭慧明分享心得，並在會後送出一件復旦校友會T恤，聊表謝意。

成立於1857年的聯邦金融集團（Commonwealth Financial Group），曾獲波士頓商業期刊（Boston Business Journal )選為十大財富（wealth）管理公司之一。1982年畢業於現已改成復旦大學醫學院的上海醫科大學的郭慧明，是這家小型金融服務公司的合夥人之一，也是全公司六十多人中唯一的華人。

十七日這天，郭慧明在該公司位於聯邦街101號的辦公室，以“為黃金年代做計劃：華美專業人士的財富管理基本策略（Planning for the Golden Years: Basic Wealth Management Strategies for the Chinese American Professional）”為主題，大方的和復旦校友們分享他的專業心得。

郭慧明表示，每年都有成千上萬的人，來到美國這塊「機會之地]，追求夢想。華裔美國人當然也是其中之一。但現實情況常是，如果沒有雄厚的財務基礎，夢想很難成真

郭慧明指出，在人類壽命提高，醫療費用持續高漲，社會安全福利收入越來越低，公司行號僱主提供的退休計劃越來越少之際，許多人已經開始了解，想又舒適退休，恐怕不能再依賴傳統儲蓄方式了。得想辦法從其他來源找資金才行。

            郭慧明先提出為累積退休資金做長期投資計劃時，想要充分利用股票投資的上漲潛力，又要避免股票市場波動可能產生的影響，該怎麼辦？如果是在股票和債券價格下跌時，需要退休，又該怎麼辦？這對退休帳戶會造成什麼影響？如何才能把對退休收入的影響減為最低？等等問題，再以自己在這行工作多年的經驗，和復旦校友們分享了他的看法與辦法。

            會後有一名校友表示，那些方法，道理，聽得有懂沒有懂是一回事，讓他印象最深刻的是，懂得投資理財的人，似乎都覺得美國稅很重。

            查詢波士頓復旦校友會詳情，可上網http://www.gbfaa.net。

   

圖片說明：

     波士頓復旦大學校友會會長高璐（左）送校友會T恤給分享投資理財心得的郭慧明校友（右），聊表謝意。

     郭慧明在聯邦金融集團（Commonwealth Financial Group）會議室內開講座。（波士頓復旦校友會會長高璐提供）

     帝苑大酒樓老闆黃官羨（立者）關懷年輕人，特地來和復旦校友們打招呼。（波士頓復旦校友會會長高璐提供）

波士頓慈濟到中華頤養院浴佛

慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處十七日下午出動十三名志工，為中華頤養院的院民舉辦浴佛典禮，以溫馨莊嚴祝福，歡送他們遷往該院昆士市新址。

慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處表示，每年五月的第二個星期日，既是母親節，也是全球慈濟日，世界各地慈濟人，都會在這天舉辦三節合一的浴佛活動。由於過去近廿年來，該處派員探訪中華頤養院院民的活動從未間歇，在得知中華頤養院訂五月十八日遷往昆市新址後，決定在五月十七日這天，往訪中華頤養院，並舉行浴佛節，獻上祝福。

穿著藍衣白褲的慈濟志工們，這天在中華頤養院一樓大堂，列隊禮敬佛祖，奉上鮮花，祝禱人人洗滌內心的煩惱及貪瞋癡等念頭，回歸內心清靜本性。

曾在台灣電視節目中闖過五度五關的演歌好手黃崇校，第一個在波士頓參加慈濟的蔡靜薇，以及長金滿等人，還分頭表演，為老人家們帶來歡樂。

查詢慈濟活動，可洽 617-762-0569。

圖片說明：

            慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處志工探訪中華頤養院。（圖由慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處提供）

            慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處的黃崇校（右一）彈吉他，志工們請老人家拍手和。。（圖由慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處提供）

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Family Caregiver Workshop on June 12th in Whitman

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Family Caregiver Workshop on June 12th in Whitman

BROCKTON, MA...  

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers, is holding an "It's About Time" workshop on Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whitman Council on Aging, 16 Hayden Avenue in Whitman.

The "It's About Time" workshop is a free event for family caregivers of older adults and grandparents raising grandchildren. Caregivers are taught techniques and strategies for managing their time and reducing stress. Topics covered include meal preparation, time management and relaxation techniques.

This workshop is offered in partnership with the Whitman Council on Aging. Funding is provided through a generous grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

"The 'It's About Time' workshop teaches caregivers the much-needed strategies which help them to avoid burnout and remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential caregiving services," noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director at OCES.

There is no cost to attend the workshop and a companion book will be provided free of charge.  Attendees will also enjoy complimentary lunch and raffles. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.

To register, contact Rochelle Sugarman, Outreach and Education Specialist in the Family Caregiver Support Program at OCES (508) 584-1561 extension 312. 

Mayor Walsh Celebrates Largest Public Housing Energy Efficiency Project in Nation’s History

Mayor Walsh Celebrates Largest Public Housing Energy Efficiency Project in Nation’s History

Project incorporated energy savings, public housing capital improvements and career opportunities in the building trades for BHA and low-income city residents

BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh celebrated the completion of a $66.7 million energy efficiency rehabilitation of 13 public housing properties owned by the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). The work completed by project contractor, Ameresco, includes millions of dollars in energy savings, capital upgrades to BHA’s public housing portfolio, and the first-in-the-nation, public housing Project Labor Agreement (PLA), which provided an opportunity for BHA residents to embark on careers in the building trades through the Building Pathways Program. An event was held at the Charlestown Apartments, BHA’s largest housing community for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, which saw $27.4 million in improvements, impacting 1,100 apartment units.

“This project is truly what partnerships are all about – it took a comprehensive approach to saving taxpayer money, improving our city’s public housing, and improving people’s lives all at the same time through meaningful career training and subsequent employment,” said Mayor Walsh.

The upgrades completed as part of the largest public housing energy efficiency project in the nation’s history, impacted 13 BHA public housing developments and over 4,300 housing units. Many of these structures are over 60 years old and in need of infrastructure improvements. A mix of 17 different energy and water efficiency improvements were employed in the rehabilitation with key measures including water conservation, energy efficient lighting installation, de-centralization of aging heating and hot water systems, the replacement of apartment temperature controls, and upgrades to energy management systems. The efficiency measures are estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 13,000 tons annually.    

The BHA anticipates that the upgrades will save the agency $4.8 million annually in energy and water costs, with total savings expected to exceed $100 million over the 20-year contract term, and allowing for the project financing to be paid off without any additional cost to the taxpayers. Additionally, the BHA was able to refocus its limited capital funds to support other infrastructure improvements that are needed across its portfolio.   

“We’ve proven that public housing can also be energy-efficient housing. We’re excited to be moving forward with green technology and upgrading our residents’ homes at the same time,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle. 
 
A resident education, training, and employment program will complement and reinforce the program over the life of the project. 

“We are honored to have partnered with Mayor Walsh and the Boston Housing Authority on this significant project,” said George Sakellaris, President and CEO of Ameresco. “As a Massachusetts-based company, this is a remarkable opportunity to showcase the significant energy efficiency gains that can be achieved when you have strong, forward-thinking leadership and commitment at the local level. Ameresco is a national leader in this market, having developed over $500 million in energy and water improvements in public housing across the country.”  

The following BHA developments received energy upgrades as part of the project:  Bromley Park and Heath Street in Jamaica Plain, Commonwealth and Washington Street in Brighton, Franklin Field and Pasciucco in Dorchester, Holgate and Whittier Street in Roxbury, Lenox Street in the South End/Lower Roxbury, Old Colony in South Boston, Roslyn Apartments in Roslindale, Torre Unidad in the South End, and the Charlestown development in Charlestown.

In addition, this project included the BHA’s first PLA, an agreement between Ameresco, the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District, and the BHA. It was the first public housing PLA of its kind since President Obama signed an executive order encouraging the use of PLAs in connection with large-scale construction projects.

Boston’s PLA created approximately 600 jobs for local union workers, public housing and low-income city residents, and small and minority owned businesses. During the three year construction period 103 BHA residents were hired, and 25 percent of those positions were with skilled trades, largely in labor or apprentice positions. In addition, the agreement created a groundbreaking pre-apprenticeship program funded in part by a $60,000 contribution from Ameresco and a $35,000 contribution from the Mayor’s Office of Jobs and Community Services that is open to BHA public housing and Section 8 residents, YouthBuild eligible participants, and very low-income Boston residents. Graduates who successfully complete the pre-apprenticeship training are given direct entry slots into apprenticeship opportunities through the Building and Construction Trades Council.

The BHA has subsequently entered into additional Project Labor Agreements and the pre-apprenticeship program continues today. Many of the graduates have moved on to careers in the various building and construction trades.

BHA participated in two earlier energy performance contracts that saved the Authority more than $17 million. Those contracts allowed the BHA to fully replace the original 1938 heating system at the Mary Ellen McCormack development in South Boston as well as upgrade heating and water systems at BHA state-funded developments throughout the city.

According to a recent study conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), public housing is, on average, less energy efficient on a per-square-foot basis than all other U.S. residential households. Reducing public housing energy costs by 10% could save nearly $200 million per year in operating expenses.

The BHA was recently awarded accreditation for its efforts to implement energy efficient, healthy and green building practices in day-to-day operations as well as in long-term rehabilitation and redevelopment of its affordable housing portfolio. The award recognized BHA’s integration of green initiatives with its healthy public housing initiatives and is considered to demonstrate best practices through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Affordable Green Initiative and the Sustainable Performance Institute.

劉志攻將接任駐英代表

【中央社╱台北19日電】

2014.05.19 10:36 pm

駐加拿大代表劉志攻將接任駐英國代表，據了解，嫻熟歐洲以及在國安會負責國際事務經驗，是讓高層倚重主因。
據外交部簡歷資料，劉志攻大學唸政治大學外交糸，一路在政大拿到政治研究所碩士及博士，1986年起在外交部服務，是資深的外交官。
劉志攻給外交部同事印象除了專業，還是個行動派，擔任駐外館長時行程經常是一個接一個，他還鼓勵同事要走出代表處辦公室向駐在國多多介紹宣傳台灣，對僑胞也非常熱情。
這次獲任命為駐英代表，一位外交官員分析，顯示高層非常倚重他資深豐富的外交官經驗，例如曾在南非、美國以及加拿大等國家服務，而這些國家都與英國有密切關係；此外又曾擔任駐捷克代表，對歐洲事務嫻熟。
此外，在2010年至2012年劉志攻擔任國安會副秘書長，負責國際事務，這項任命也顯示中華民國對與英國關係的高度重視，期望豐富的外交經歷能持續推動雙邊友好關係。

美國僑學界啟動2014南京青奧會火炬傳遞向青少年倡議“中國暑假”

美國僑學界啟動2014南京青奧會火炬傳遞向青少年倡議“中國暑假”
為響應中國南京僑聯向全球華裔僑團​​發出的倡議，全美中華青年聯合會、美國華人公共外交促進會、美華國際青年商會、全美華裔優秀青年聯誼會等團體５月１８日下午在洛杉磯啟動２０１４年南京青奧會火炬網絡傳遞活動。並向全美青少年倡議，在暑假期間關注青奧會，同時藉此機會了解中華文化，過一個充滿“中國”題材的暑假。　
來自僑學各界社團的代表們，舉起南京青奧會的宣傳單張以及南京僑聯的標誌，共同啟動南京青奧網絡火炬在美國的傳遞活動。
全美中華青年聯合會會長任向東表示，青奧會舉辦期間正值美國各學校的暑假期間，僑學界團體將聯合籲請媒體增加青奧會的相關報導和轉播，吸引和提升青少年對南京青奧會的關注度，進而引發對中國文化了解的興趣。同時也向青少年提供有關中國文化、中文的講座和培訓。
知名書法家冷任桓、畢業於中央民族學院的青年作曲家林美希、北美海峽兩岸文化交流協會黃志翔、全美華裔優秀青年聯誼會霍加鳴等表示，將在南京青奧會期間，組織相關的主題活動，並通過創作相關題材的作品，主辦中國文化講座和中文培訓項目。
美國華人公共外交促進會理事長朱冰峰、美國中華民族文化中心會長白冬梅、華夏婦女聯合會會長陸來冰、南加州中國金融研究會秘書長詹瑞娥、南加州華人華僑聯合會霍文森、張燕雯，美華國際青年商會殷雷、翁國泉，北美深圳青年聯合總會周念芬、知名編導梁艷、華僑大學駐洛杉磯代表處黃惠銘老師等各界人士紛紛響應，表示將通過各自所在的社團，繼續推動南京青奧網絡火炬傳遞活動，通過社交媒體等，廣泛宣傳南京青奧會。並將在暑假、南京青奧會舉辦期間，聯合互動，借南京青奧會的主題，推廣中華文化，辦成本年度一項重要的民間公共外交活動。 （AACYF洛杉磯訊）

亞東劇團訪波士頓演出 三劇探討家庭人際關係

來自台灣的亞東劇團，應波士頓郊區華人聖經教會合田事工之邀，五月十六日至十八日，在大波士頓地區上演“MSN之戀“等三齣戲，藉劇情促使觀眾思考自己的生活處境，家庭關係，反省自己該怎麼做，人生才會更美好。

            亞東劇團是個前身為工科學生團契，1988年時由傳道人朱雯創辦，迄今已培養出三十多名全職事奉者的組織。該團團長王小梅 表示，該團創辦至今26年，共在28個以上國家，以英語，粵語，國語，台語，演出過三千多場舞台劇，曾連年獲得文建會，教育部大獎，包括1990、1991、1993年的社會組話劇比賽團體總冠軍等。其餘的最佳導演、最佳編劇、最佳音效設計、最佳服裝造形設計、最佳舞台設計、最佳演技等獎，更是不勝枚舉。

            亞東劇團這次出訪海外，是美東，德東巡迴表演，四月底起已在亞特蘭大，紐約等地演出，波士頓是第三站。十八日以後，將赴德國柏林，德雷斯頓(Dresden)。

            五月十六日晚，亞東劇團在羅格斯（Ruggles）浸信會教堂演出的“MSN之戀“，改編自該團成員親身經歷，描述一人信，一人不信基督教的兩名年輕人藉MSN遠距保持聯繫，繼而在陰錯陽差之中萌生情緣，雖歷經波折，考驗，終於結為連理，兩人也都成為基督徒的故事。

            該團團長間音樂總監王小梅指出，該劇闡述了基督徒的婚戀觀。在這次來美前的19場演出中，還有家長帶年幼子女出席，只為希望及早培養他們正確的基督徒婚戀觀。

            當晚演出結束後，亞東劇團兩名成員上台做見證，敘述年輕時，他們兩人是流水有意，落花無情，各自走過一段人生後，才訝然發現，仿如命定般，上帝早把他們安排為彼此的另一半。

            其中的女士透露，真實人生常比舞台更戲劇化。在“MSN之戀“真人版故事中，男主角因女主角事奉教會耗時，備感受冷落時，遇到當年他暗戀的女子回頭三番兩次找他，讓他動念移情，準備要有外遇，沒想到在他一通通刪除女主角發給他的二百多通MSN短訊時，看到自己當年發給女主角的一封短信，瞬時淚崩，隨後收拾了出軌，分手念頭。

            亞東劇團導演兼藝術總監，曾獲全額獎學金進攝政王（Regent）大學進修的鍾信榮在會外透露，他自己原本是名在加拿大工作的全職舞者， 沒想到有一次回台灣參加短宣工作，看到亞東劇團演出，竟大受感動，接著改變人生規劃，把自己的興趣與事奉工作，結合為一。

            亞東劇團這次的波士頓巡演，除前述的“MSN之戀“外，還於五月十七日在勒星頓鎮的波士頓郊區華人聖經教會，五月十八日在Litton的大波士頓西郊聖經教會，演出了”牽“，”小木偶“兩劇。

圖片說明：

            波士頓郊區華人聖經教會牧師潘達儒（右四），合田事工鍾信忠（右二），與導演鍾信榮（右六），團長王小梅（左三）等亞東劇團團員，工作人員謝幕後合影。（菊子攝）

            譚志弘（中）飾演的“MSN之戀“男主角，在劇中站著演入睡時仍用MSN和女主角通訊情景。（菊子攝)

            “MSN之戀“謝幕。（菊子攝）