星期三, 9月 24, 2014

五十多名同學會長聽姚鴻澤分享人生經驗

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組920日舉辦新格蘭地區中華民國 (台灣)同學會會長聯席會議。來自20多所學校近50名會長、副會長在薩福克 (Suffolk) 大學法學院會議室交流,聽講。
    經文處教育組今年為這會議邀請的主講嘉賓是中央研究院院士暨哈佛大學數學系教授姚鴻澤教授。
他以「大衛與巨人──學術生涯之我思我見」為題,分享名不見經傳留學生如何挑戰資深學者與大型研究機構的故事。
他舉了幾個西方歷史事件,提醒同學做好面對世界的心理準備,要培養獨立思考能力、勇於嘗試與創新,熱衷,專注於個人的專業領域。他也以自己求學過程的轉折為例,鼓勵人不妨用「如果每一步都是正確的選擇,我會更好嗎?」這問題來反省,深思自己的人生追求。
曾經,他率領的團隊和數學大師Wigner-Dyson的團隊競爭,從那過程中,他體會到關鍵不是勝負,而是決定過程。他指出,同學們當然還要選擇能發揮自己才華的領域,別沈醉於目前有的成就,有野心,訂大目標,絕對有必要。出席同學對姚鴻澤的人生選擇,轉換跑道,都興趣濃厚,問了許多問題。
        經文處各單位當天都派有代表出席。副處長陳銘俊在介紹辦事處架構及功能之餘,勉勵同學謙卑,才能走更遠的路。他也提醒同學會長,要轉告各校同學多與台灣的家人聯絡,十月五日的雙十國遊行,要撥冗參加。
領務組洪毓羚秘書報告經文急難救助電話,護照換新、文件驗證、出生證明及返國設籍等業務。
教育組黃薳玉組長請留學生注意安全、說明該組提供畢業證書驗證等。她也鼓勵同學們趁留學期間多認識、多接觸當地資源,並常常跟教育組保持聯繫。出席同學對教育組提供同學會補助、臺灣資料展示、山地服裝及就業資訊助等服務,也都感到實用有效。
塔芙茨大學教授張重華、牙根管專科醫師王世輝、麻省理工學院教授廖灝翔及李彥頡等人經教育組延攬為留學生義務顧問。他們幾人在綜合座談中,分享了他們的留學生生活、求學、就業等各方面個人經驗。
新英格蘭臺灣留學生聯合會((FTSANE)新會長李慧真當天也在會中報告該會預定辦理的活動,包括即將舉行的賞楓採蘋果等。

圖片說明:


            前左起,張重華,姚鴻澤,經文處副處長陳銘俊,教育組長黃薳玉(前右一)漢出席同學會長們合影。(圖由教育組提供)

昭倫公所將在紐英崙推選美東副總長


謝中之撰
Photo右起 :謝如鍵(Vice-President & English Secretary),許楊威(President),談家權(Chinese Secretary),謝中之(Administrator),代表紐英崙昭倫公所出席在西雅圖舉辦的全美昭倫公所第廿一屆懇親代表大會。

昭倫公所由「談、譚、許、謝」的兄弟姊妹所組成,均是姜太公後裔,會議由96日到8日,出席人數三佰多人,談家權是唯一「談」姓兄弟出席而成為大會的「談大哥」。大會決定紐英崙昭倫公所劃入美國東北紐英崙區域,將安排及選出一位<昭倫副總長>代表美國東北區的
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine -- Six States
加拿大溫哥華昭倫親義公所是由談譚許謝的五姓兄弟姊妹所組成,在西雅圖的昭倫懇親大會,溫哥華有三十多位出席恭賀,現任主席阮少玲。
據阮少玲告知,加拿大的阮姓因與昭倫義的原因,組成了昭倫親義公所,所以加拿大是沒有阮氏公所。

Photo--右起:阮少玲(Vancouver),謝中之(Boston),譚偉業(Vancouver)

波士頓華埠傳假火警 六消防車,兩醫療車趕來


9月23日,星期二,下午六點半左右,華埠華盛頓街660號被傳出三樓發現火警,六部消防車,兩部救傷車抵達現塲,在警方到逹之前,中華公所的華埠治安巡邏隊員們,龍岡公所的關炳、劉樹榮和劉華權立刻在必珠街引導車輛轉向不進入華盛頓街,至德三德公所的曹品慈稍後亦加入,直到警方到達。半個多小時後,發現是虛報,交通回復正常,巡邏隊員則繼續在華埠巡邏。
 
中華公所巡邏隊為義務工作,歡迎加入,接受捐獻,有意者請聨系中華公所 617-542-2574,或巡邏隊總司令翁宇才 617-388-8063。(圖及文-----謝中之)
中華公所---治安巡邏隊
 


波士頓違規停車罰款付費今起手機化


Mayor Walsh Announces Partnership with TicketZen

City of Boston parking violations will now direct recipients to mobile-based payment feature


BOSTON – Today Mayor Walsh announced the City of Boston’s partnership with a Boston tech company to encourage parking ticket recipients to pay their fines using their smart phones. The new customer service improvement is the result of a request for proposals issued by the City, which invited entities to propose a mobile parking ticket payment solution for City-issued parking tickets. The resulting partnership is between the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, the Boston Transportation Department (BTD), and TicketZen, Inc., a company created by Boston-based Terrible Labs. For a three month pilot period, beginning on Tuesday, September 23, a reference to the mobile app TicketZen will be featured at the bottom of every computer-generated parking ticket issued by the Boston Transportation Department and will guide those with parking tickets through this new option for making payments.

“The City of Boston continues to innovate around customer service,” said Mayor Walsh. “Implementing new technology that makes the unpleasant chore of paying a parking ticket more efficient and effective, makes life in the city easier. I’m pleased that we were able to partner with a local tech company to get this app done.”

TicketZen, a smart phone app available for both Android and Apple devices, utilizes the smart phone camera to scan the barcode on a parking ticket and connect the user’s payment details with the City of Boston’s payment network. The app provides a smoother user experience than navigating to the City’s parking ticket payment website from a mobile phone. In addition, by prompting users to make timely payments, it helps them to avoid late fees that are routinely added to the original fine after 21 days. During the pilot period, the TicketZen service will be provided at no cost to Boston users beyond the standard credit card processing fee associated with the City’s payment portal.

“BTD is excited to have this opportunity to work with the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics and a local technology start-up on this parking ticket payment app,” said Interim Boston Transportation Department Commissioner James E. Gillooly. “We intend to continue to aggressively research and pursue new technology available to us that can help drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to navigate our local transportation systems, to enhance the customer service experience that we provide to our constituents.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Mayor Walsh and Boston’s Transportation Department to ease the process of paying a parking ticket,” said Cort Johnson, Director of Business Development for Terrible Labs. “Boston continues to be a leader through their sustained efforts to modernize the way its residents and visitors interact with the City and TicketZen is excited to be a part of that plan.”

The City of Boston continues to innovate to make government processes more accessible through digital channels. Recent efforts include: HubHacks, a civic-minded Hackathon to reinvent the City’s online permitting experience; the installation of digital kiosks at several agencies across the City to connect constituents within two business days to City of Boston business development specialists; and the expansion of Wicked Free WiFi, providing free wireless internet across Boston’s Main Street districts.

Smart phone users with questions or comments about the new app are encouraged to contact the Mayor’s Hotline at 617-635-4500.

Boston Public Market to Partner with Interise and CropCircle Kitchen, Offer StreetWise ‘MBA’™ Program to Local Food Vendors

Boston Public Market to Partner with Interise and CropCircle Kitchen, Offer StreetWise ‘MBA’™ Program to Local Food Vendors
Vendors at Boston’s first permanent, indoor farmer’s market to benefit from award-winning curriculum, local instructor
BOSTON — Interise, CropCircle Kitchen and the Boston Public Market today announced a new partnership that will provide innovative business training to local food vendors at the planned public market slated to open in summer 2015.

“Interise’s StreetWise ‘MBA’™ program has a proven record of helping small businesses grow and flourish, and we’re excited to work with them on a new initiative focused specifically on the needs of food businesses as a way to support our vendors.,” said Liz Morningstar, CEO of the Boston Public Market. “We’re also looking forward to working with CropCircle Kitchen—benefiting from their deep knowledge of the food business and connecting our vendors to their tremendous new commercial kitchen facilities in Dorchester.”

Vendor applicants and local small food businesses will participate in Interise’s award-winning StreetWise ‘MBA’™ program aimed at growing jobs and creating more revenue. The program covers topics such as business development, strategic planning, access to capital, government contacts, financials, marketing and sales, and human resources.

Unlike some formal training, participants in the StreetWise ‘MBA’™ program don’t study large corporations, they work on their own businesses. Each participating business functions as a live case and owners use their own experiences as a case study. As business owners learn about each topic, they instantly apply the lessons to their business and implement change.

Mayor Walsh Announces Cabinet Level Chief of Arts and Culture

Mayor Walsh Announces Cabinet Level Chief of Arts and Culture

Important step in ongoing elevation of arts in Boston, Appointee led Chicago’s cultural planning process


BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the appointment of Julie Burros as Boston’s first Chief of Arts and Culture in more than 20 years, following a national search. Burros will be tasked with stewarding the creation of Boston’s Cultural Plan, and work as an advocate for the arts community across new policy creation. Burros is currently the director of Cultural Planning for the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, a position she has held for more than 15 years. She will begin her role as Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston in December 2014.

“I’ve said from Day One that I want to elevate Boston’s arts and culture profile,” said Mayor Walsh. “During the campaign, I often heard about the need for the arts to be more integrated into the lives of residents and visitors. Julie will bring a fresh perspective and a strong foundation of expertise to envision Boston’s cultural future and execute a master plan for the arts.”

In her position with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Burros works at the intersection of planning, culture, community development, and capacity building. During her tenure she has strengthened the arts community, and improved the City of Chicago’s cultural identity. Burros has a diversity of experience in policymaking, grant programming, non-profit development, and municipal government.

“Julie was instrumental in developing the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan and engaging the public in that process,” said Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “Our heartfelt congratulations to Julie. This is a tremendous opportunity for her, and she will do a wonderful job.”

“I am so thrilled to be joining Mayor Walsh’s team and look forward to putting all my experience to work for the people of Boston,” said Julie Burros. “Boston has great potential in the arts world, and this is a unique opportunity to examine all of Boston’s cultural assets and align them with Mayor Walsh’s vision to make arts and culture a key piece across all City departments.”

Burros led the creation of the Chicago Cultural Plan 2012, which was awarded the Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning from the Metropolitan Planning Council, and is leading its implementation. In addition, in her current role she acts as a liaison between the arts community and regulatory City departments resolving issues with zoning, licensing, permitting, and building codes; visions the redevelopment of vacant spaces in the City for arts uses, and supports Chicago’s cultural districts. Her signature work in Chicago includes the 2009 Burnham Plan Centennial Pavilions in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Landscape survey of 2002.

Burros did her undergraduate work at the college at the University of Chicago, majoring in sociology, and did her graduate work at Columbia University at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, with a focus on planning for the built environment.

As Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston, Burros will oversee a staff of 9 housed within the Boston Arts Commission and the Boston Cultural Council, with a budget of $1.3 million. The Chief position has an annual salary of $125,000, and also includes oversight of the Boston Public Library system. The Arts + Culture cabinet was created by Mayor Walsh to elevate arts and culture by separating it from the previous administration’s Office of Arts, Tourism, and Special Events.

Pulling from her experience working on the Chicago Cultural Plan, Burros will steer Boston’s 15-member Cultural Planning Committee through Boston’s cultural planning process. The Plan will be shaped by a public conversation with the goal of creating a long-term vision that better capitalizes on existing resources and makes the City’s arts and culture creative portfolio stronger, more accessible, more sustainable, and more diverse. Burros will promote and execute the final plan, secure resources, and oversee its implementation and evaluation. In addition, she will be tasked with ensuring that all relevant City programs are aligned with the Plan.

In addition as Chief, Burros will work to create a vehicle through which the City can increase diversity and inclusion in the arts, seek grants and sponsorship opportunities, and secure funding and support for Boston’s arts community. Burros will seek to grow the arts in Boston across disciplines, from theater to dance, to the visual arts to public art.

The Arts and Culture Chief search committee included 11-members, and was led by Joyce Linehan, Mayor Walsh’s Chief of Policy.

Committee Members:

Kathy Bitetti, Artist
Patricia Boyle-McKenna, Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics
David Dower, ArtsEmerson
Michael Evans, Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics
Danny Green, Mayor’s Office
Vineet Gupta, Boston Transportation Department
Para Jayasinghe, Public Works Department
Jill Medvedow, Institute of Contemporary Art
Charlayne Murrell-Smith, Children’s Museum
Lois Roach, playwright/teacher
Miguel Rodriguez, Boston Baroque

星期二, 9月 23, 2014

胡炳超設宴慶祝徒孫滿天下

胡炳超。(周菊子攝)
          (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)胡炳超是波士頓內的知名武術大師傅之一,早從1966年就在大波士頓開武館“竹廬(Bamboo Hut)”,一度強調少林洪家拳,在林肯街另設武館。自創揉和身體軟硬能力,既能自衛,又能攻擊的五元太極(5 Elements Tai Chi)功夫後,開始以“超武館”為名,繁衍門派,今年三月八日還在羅爾市(Lowell)威利街(Willie)開張了一家新武館。
              九月廿日這晚,在徒子徒孫,陳耀祥等武術同好,以及社區支持者共數百人的響應中,胡炳超師傅在帝苑大酒家設宴慶祝,示範該館武功。
胡炳超(右)與陳耀祥(左)。(周菊子攝)