蘭亭雅聚邀齊雅明談史晨碑

蘭亭雅聚二月一日在傅萊明罕鎮公共圖書館聚會，由酷愛書法，詩詞，攝影的齊雅明談”漢代隸書史晨碑的學習和臨摹“，和廿多名書法和中國歷史文化愛好者分享心得。

            蘭亭雅聚統籌人孫志勝指出，齊雅明曾任大波士頓地區中華文化協會（GBCCA）藝文小集召集人，也是波士頓華人攝影協會（BCPA）首任會長，平日酷愛中國歷史文化，博覽群籍，在研習史晨碑時，不但臨摹，還對史晨碑的文化歷史下了一番工夫研究，為“學書功夫在字外”做了很好的例子。

齊雅明當天從“橫豎撇捺，識字短句”開始，先介紹史晨碑概觀。

他指出，史晨碑是東漢末年靈帝時期，記載魯相史晨奏祭祀孔子奏章的漢 代名碑。碑為兩面刻，碑陽為奏文，碑陰為祭孔記事和政令，存於孔廟，是一塊著名的隸書碑，歷代學書法者都很重視。

齊雅明為史晨碑全碑做的斷句和註釋，已經上載到蘭亭雅聚的電郵群、微信群，和同好分享。

這天，他從史晨碑選了些字例，闡述他對隸書“八分意度”的理解，包括度其法度，審其勢度，察其氣度，明其大度。所謂意，就是要勤練，做到有軌可尋，有矩可循，上書溯小篆，乃至籀文。心會在于手前眼後，所谓心在手前，又心在眼後。而內涵則養於筆外，及深乃博。

在介紹史晨碑書法臨摹特點後，他還介紹了史晨碑中所涉及的人物故事，再回答提問，現場討論，氣氛熱絡。

專題演講後，齊雅明磨墨提筆，即席揮毫。

雕塑家段俊當天也到會，拿出他從內蒙包頭市買來的書法家作品，與同好展賞。一些書法愛好者，還把年幼子孫也帶到會場接受薰陶。

孫志勝指出，”蘭亭雅聚“中國書法講座研討會是大波士頓本地書法愛好者自動自發的聚會，每次都安排有書法，或與書法有關的文字學，文學，藝術，歷史等方面的專題演講，討論，以及書法展示，歡迎任何對中國文化和中國書法有興趣的人參加。查詢可洽zsun98@gmail.com ，或上蘭亭雅聚討論區網址 https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum /bcc –shufa。 

圖片說明：

            齊雅明以幻燈片，介紹“漢代隸書史晨碑”。（圖由蘭亭雅聚提供，楊波攝）

            齊雅明即席揮毫，小朋友也看得專注。（圖由蘭亭雅聚提供，楊波攝）

            齊雅明即席揮毫，懸筆寫字。（圖由蘭亭雅聚提供，楊波攝）

全美華裔婦女會麻省分會慶新年 請出星樂隊

 全美華裔婦女會麻省分會會長黎雯（中）切蛋糕，一眾嘉賓為她慶生，
同迎新春。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 全美華裔婦女會麻省分會日前在喜臨門大酒舉辦慶祝會，一石兩鳥的既迎新春，也為會長黎雯慶生。八十餘人在精彩的歌舞節目中歡渡一晚。

紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文，亞洲小姐美東區亞軍徐菁，億嘉國際直銷公司副總裁張孟晉，北美總監陳玉新，余國峰醫師等人，都是當晚嘉賓。

全美華裔婦女會麻省分會會長黎雯（中）切蛋糕，一眾嘉賓為她慶生，同迎新春。
（周菊子攝

在會上，郭大文代表僑委會發給黎雯表揚狀，感謝她去年協助辦理雙十遊行活動。阮鴻燦代表昆市市長送上表揚狀，嘉許黎雯服務社區。億嘉直銷公司的副總裁在會上宣稱，黎雯是該公司新開美國市場中的第一顆水晶。

 波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文（左），紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦（右）
依序代表僑委會，昆市府，送表揚狀給黎雯（中）。（周菊子攝）

在大波士頓華人圈中已有善於籌辦節目名聲的黎雯，當晚頗費心的安排，不單只在切生日蛋糕時，請好友拉花紙禮砲，撒現金鈔票，營造十分熱鬧氣氛，司儀黃納斯報幕的鄉土舞蹈團等表演節目中，甄若茅率領的“星樂隊“，有趙寶玲，廉艷，胡凡等歌手，歌聲之佳，讓座中賓客讚不絕口，邀來的林健丁、莎莎（Sasha Dubinsky）這對全美標準舞亞軍，以及Murat Medzhidov，Valerie Dubinsky這隊冠軍及的青少年國際拉丁舞者表演，舞技之優美，更是技驚全場。

黎雯還很周到的請來黃定邦扮財神，給每名出席者送上紅通通的利是一封，討個新年喜氣，讓所有出席者在甜蜜蜜，喜洋洋的氣氛中盡興歸家。  

 黎雯（左五）邀郭大文（左一起），陳銘俊，阮鴻燦，徐菁， 張孟晉，
陳玉新，余國峰等嘉合影。（周菊子攝）

           

          

 星樂隊創辦人甄若茅（右二）與林瑩玉（左起），廉艷，趙寶玲，何曼玲，
李佩筠，胡凡等歌手，樂手上陣演出。（周菊子攝）

            

            

Secretary Matthew A. Beaton Names Ned Bartlett Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Secretary Matthew A. Beaton Names

Ned Bartlett Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs

BOSTON – Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - Today, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton announced Ned Bartlett will serve as Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

“Ned’s proven track record in the fields of energy and environmental affairs make him a great asset to the team,” said Matthew Beaton, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “I am confident that Ned’s invaluable expertise will enable the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to make certain that Massachusetts remains a leader in clean and renewable energy, and continues to protect our natural resources and preserve open spaces for the residents of the Commonwealth.”

“I thank Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, and Secretary Beaton for the opportunity to serve in the administration and to work with the dedicated personnel throughout the agencies and authorities within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,” said Ned Bartlett, Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “The Commonwealth has an excellent opportunity to build upon its energy and environmental successes, and I look forward to ensuring that Massachusetts’ residents are provided with the responsive government they need and deserve.”

Ned Bartlett, Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Ned Bartlett previously served as a Partner at Bowditch & Dewey, LLP where he maintained a diverse environmental, energy and transportation practice. 

Prior to private practice, Ned served as an attorney in a number of environmental and state agencies, and as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts.  Ned brings a wealth of private and public sector experience to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS HOME RULE PETITION TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR BOSTON’S “LONG-TERM HOMEOWNERS”

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS HOME RULE PETITION TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR BOSTON’S “LONG-TERM HOMEOWNERS”

Boston—Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that he signed onto the Long-Term Homeowners Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition, proposed by Councilors Bill Linehan and Stephen J. Murphy. This effort will give qualifying homeowners the option to defer their property taxes to be paid with interest at a later date.

“Residents should know that they have options in the face of rising property taxes,” said Mayor Walsh. “This is one of several steps the City of Boston is taking to give homeowners some relief immediately, while implementing long-term solutions to combat rising housing costs.”

"I would like to thank Mayor Walsh for signing the Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition that I co-sponsored with Councilor Murphy," said Councilor Bill Linehan. "This tax deferral program will give long term home owners that are land rich but cash poor much needed tax relief and will help them stay in their homes. I look forward to working with our State Legislature on getting this passed for the residents of Boston."

"Councilor Linehan and I sponsored this Home Rule Petition to make certain that long term homeowners are able to stay in their homes," said Councilor Stephen Murphy. "With
the Mayor's signature, we send this to Beacon Hill as a United City!"

The Long-Term Homeowner Tax Deferral is intended to provide relief to qualifying Boston homeowners who are having difficulty affording their real estate tax liability. A tax deferral is a tax agreement between the homeowner and the City, which allows the homeowner to defer their property taxes until the sale, transfer, or death of the owner. The current annual interest rate of 4% per year, will be applied at the time of payment. Because it is the City’s borrowing rate, there will be no fiscal impact on the City.

To qualify for the Long-Term Homeowner Tax Deferral, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Aged 55 or older as of July 1 of the tax year;

• Owned and occupied the property for at least 10 years as of July 1 of the tax year;

• Gross income not exceeding the income limit for the “Circuit Breaker” state income tax credit for single seniors who are not heads of household established by the state’s Department of Revenue;

• Real estate tax liability, as reduced by abatements, that exceeds the prior year real estate tax liability, as reduced by abatements, by 10% or more.

• Submit a deferral application within (3) months after the date on which the 3rd quarter tax bill or notice of assessment was sent or by April 1 of the tax year, whichever is later.

The Long-Term Homeowners Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition is modeled after an existing property tax deferral program available to seniors over the age of 65, who own and occupy their property as their primary residence. Last year,  28 applicants qualified for the seniors tax deferral for seniors. For more information, contact the Mayor’s 24-hour hotline at 617-635-4500.

Councilors Flaherty and Linehan create Residency Commission

Councilors Flaherty and Linehan create Residency Commission

             Councilor-At-Large Michael Flaherty, working with Council President Bill Linehan, recently filed an order to create a Residency Policy Commission.  The order passed in the City Council and was signed by Mayor Walsh.

            Councilors Flaherty and Linehan created the Commission in response to the inconsistent residency requirements for city employees.  The Residency Policy is a complicated and controversial issue that dates back to 1973 – when the first residency law was passed.  Residency requirements are defined by city ordinance, collective bargaining agreements, and state law.  This creates many different sets of requirements for different employees.  Consistency and fairness are important to attract and retain the talented employees our city relies on every day.

            The Commission’s goal is to examine the residency policies now in place in the City of Boston, and make recommendations on whether or not the policies should be changed.  The Commission will be composed of seven members, and will present their findings to the City Council and Mayor this year.

            Councilor Linehan said about the Commission:  “Councilor Flaherty and I filed an order to create this commission in response to the inconsistent rules governing residency for city employees.  We want to make sure any possible changes are discussed in an open, transparent forum, which this Commission provides.  It is important we ensure that all city employees are treated fairly and equitably.”

            Councilor Flaherty added, “During the previous administration, the enforcement of the residency policy was politically selective and very inconsistent. At times, this rule was altogether ignored. The Residency Policy Commission intends to improve equity among all City of Boston employees and their supervisors. My hope is that the recommendations by this Commission will offer an efficient solution for implementing and enforcing residency requirements.”

            The Commission should be appointed this month.  Meetings will be open to the public.

Council Passes Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition

Council Passes Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition

            Councilors Linehan, Murphy, and Ciommo filed a home rule petition to defer property taxes for long-term homeowners.  Mayor Walsh signed the measure, and since it deals with tax policy it will now go to the state legislature for approval.

            Councilor Linehan filed this matter during previous legislative sessions, but due to technical language changes the state legislature requested the matter had to be re-filed this year.  Councilor Linehan expects the petition to pass the legislature this time.

            Councilor Linehan feels the Property Tax Deferral for Long Term Homeowners is vital to keeping our communities strong.  The ordinance will create an opportunity for long time owner-occupied home owners to defer half of their taxes until the property is sold.

            Councilor Linehan said of the bill;  “I thank Councilors Murphy and Ciommo for their support, and I look forward to the state legislature making this a reality for Boston homeowners. Many long-time residents of Boston face continued tax increases based on assessments of their property that continue to grow in value.  They bought modest homes decades ago and now find themselves living in the middle of one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, resulting in an exponential spike in property taxes. This deferral will give long-term homeowners some much-needed tax relief and help them to stay in their homes.  I thank Mayor Walsh for his support, which will be invaluable in making this bill a reality for Boston.  The program will help those living on a fixed income who struggle with the rising costs of living in Boston.”