波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強晤華埠社區聯盟

波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強（Kenneth Fong）昨（八）日與波士頓華埠社區聯盟（TCC）座談，稱許波士頓華埠治安巡邏隊，慨言礙於法令，無力制止乞討，強調民眾是警察“耳目”，遇事別怕打九一一。

            波士頓華埠社區聯盟（TCC）在完成華埠總體發展計畫，綠茵苑（One Greenway）即將竣工，昆市高中與藝術高中爭取聯合發展第廿五號地段（該計畫其後觸礁）等大事之後，已接連多月無重大議題討論，每月開會重點，變成了各社團出席代表和應邀到會民代或公職人員的互動會。

            波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強（Kenneth Fong）昨日到會，在回答提問時說明，整個波士頓警察局現有約五十名亞裔警察，一半以上都通雙語，包括他自己，以及英文名都是Jimmy Chin的兩人，約有三人側身管理層。在A-1區內，包括翁天生（Tommy Young)，以及一名梅姓警察等，絕大多數都在波士頓本地長大，與地方居民頗為熟稔。

        鄺志強指出，社區民眾的確有如警察“耳目”，警察要靠社區民眾遇事撥打九一一，才能更適時的採取行動，達成維護地方治安的使命。

        在回應華人醫務中心奶券部代表所提的“流浪漢強行討錢”一事，鄺志強坦言，在麻州乞討不犯法，警察通常無可奈何，後來經過爭取，制定了“傾略性乞討”條例，也只是讓警察在流浪漢討錢阻礙了交通時，可以對他們採取行動。他坦言，青少年在路上遭遇流浪漢強行討錢等情況，一旦事過境遷，即使報案，警察能做的也不多。

            鄺志強強調，警察們一直都很努力的維持地方治安，至於華埠面臨的貴族化威脅，他們這些當年在華埠長大的警察當然都有目共睹，但這已超出警察的職權範圍，他能做的不多。有關治安方面的事，他歡迎華埠民眾和他交流。

            華埠社區聯盟昨日的另一項議程是哈佛大學菲利普布魯克斯屋協會（Philip Brooks House Association)主任麥戈文（Kerry McGowan）報告該機構辦理的成人英語班等情況。

            綠路（GreenWay）保護會董事陳秀英在會上報告，該會刻正徵付薪暑期供兩名，從六月底開始工作，希望有更多華埠青少年申請。她還透露，該會正和騰皇閣東主接觸，希望能美化一下該棟樓宇前的木板，以期春天來臨後，華埠公園可以更美麗。

            華埠社區聯盟下次會議定五月十四日（週四）早上九點半，在波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）四樓舉行。

圖片說明：

            波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強（Kenneth Fong）(右)出席波士頓華埠社區聯盟月會。綠路（GreenWay）保護會董事陳秀英（左）籲青少年申請做該會的暑期工。（菊子攝）

            騰皇閣門外擋著木板。（菊子攝）

柬埔寨移民將為波士頓華埠社區聯盟跑馬拉松

今年的波士頓馬拉松賽已定四月廿日舉行。住在羅爾市（Lowell）的Chintra Kimkhnal（左）將在贊助該比賽的約翰漢考克（John Hancock）集團支持下，參加這一賽事，為波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）籌款。

            她訂定的籌款目標是一萬一千元。

            當年是柬埔寨難民，二歲時來到美國的Chintra Kimkhnal，在Beverly開了一家橘指甲沙龍（Orange Nail Studio）。她很欣賞波士頓華埠社區中心為移民提供的服務。她說，“我知道在試著保存自己的文化之際，要融合進美國社會的那種掙扎。現在我長大了，是我回饋社區，造福那些讓我想起當年自己的年輕人的時候”。

            羅爾市長 Rodney M. Elliott，以及麻州眾議員，也是麻州首名柬埔寨裔州議員的 Rady Mom（右）日前都出席了Chintra Kimkhnal舉辦的一場籌款會。該活動共籌得三千三百元。（圖片由BCNC提供）

RED SOX OPENING DAY CEREMONIES AT FENWAY PARK TO BEGIN AT 2:30 P.M. ON MONDAY

 

RED SOX OPENING DAY CEREMONIES AT FENWAY PARK

TO BEGIN AT 2:30 P.M. ON MONDAY

 “Calling All Kids” will Provide a Presence of Children;

More Than 39,000 Have Joined Red Sox Kid Nation Presented by Hood;

Fans are Urged to Take the T or Commuter Rail and Come Early

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox will present their Opening Day Ceremonies before their 115^thhome season, and their 104^th at Fenway Park, this Monday, April 13, starting at approximately 2:30 p.m.  The team then plays the Washington Nationals at 3:05 p.m.  This year marks the first time that the Nats have ever opposed the Red Sox in the home opener.

Before engaging in an interleague battle, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines, with participation from children.  “Calling All Kids” is a season-long theme this year.

With Hanscom Air Force Base presenting the colors, a children’s choir will perform the national anthem, punctuated by a fly-over of two F-16 fighter jets from the 158th Fighter Squadron from Burlington, Vermont’s Air National Guard (“The Green Mountain Boys”).

The Ceremonial First Pitch will pay tribute to a high point of an otherwise long, cold, and snowy winter, followed by the declaration to “Play Ball,” presented by Target.

Fenway Park gates will open two hours before the game on Monday.  For the rest of the season, gates open 1 ½ hours before game time.  Season ticket holders and Red Sox Nation members may enter at Gate C 2 ½ hours before each game.

To comply with Major League Baseball Stadium Operations Practices for the 2015 season, and to enhance security and expedite screenings at the gates, fans will walk through new metal detectors at every gate.  Fans will remove cell phones, cameras, and other large metal objects before walking through the metal detectors.  Fans do not need to remove smaller objects, such as wallets, coins, keys, jewelry, eyeglasses, shoes, and belts.

Children 14 and under are invited to enter via the new Gate K (for Kids) near Gate B, a gateway to the new Kids Concourse.  From the 3^rd through the 7^th innings, the new Wally’s Clubhouse will offer an in-game play area for children. 

This year, the Red Sox waived the entry fee into their children’s fan club.  So far, more than 39,000 fans 14 and under have signed up to join Red Sox Kid Nation presented by Hood.

Inside the turnstiles, fans of all ages will have new menu options.  On Yawkey Way, Aramark has invested in a fresh look for their concession stands and new menu items, including the new “Taste of Boston” stand which will feature neighborhood cuisine from 12 different local restaurants that will rotate throughout the season. The club worked with Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office to choose the small businesses that will be featured this season.

Nachos will be served in life-sized Red Sox helmets inside Gates C and E, and roast beef and turkey panini sandwiches will be available in both the left and right field concourses.  Meatball Obsession, the official meatball of the Boston Red Sox, will debut a new stand in the Kids Concourse near Wally’s Clubhouse with their popular turkey or beef meatballs served in a cup.  And a new kids meal for $5 – available in the Kids Concourse – will feature a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Goldfish, and a small juice.

The refurbished Budweiser Brew House in right field, operated by Aramark, will offer a host of new drink and food items in the newly expanded bar and lounge seating areas, including Bacon & Apple Salad, Truffle Parmesan Fries, Chorizo and Manchego Croquettes, Brew House Flatbread, Pastrami Sliders, Fish Tacos, and authentic Lobster Rolls. The Budweiser Brew House is now open to all ticketed patrons.

At all concession stands at Fenway Park, fans will have an opportunity to support the Red Sox Foundation through their new “It Makes Sense to Give 50 Cents” campaign. Aramark employees will take 50 cent donations from fans who wish to add that sum to their concession tab.  

The 3^rd Base Deck in the left field upper level concourse will now be known as the Ketel One Vodka 3^rd Base Deck. The bar will feature Ketel One Vodka products and branding throughout. 

The Red Sox urge fans to use public transportation to Fenway Park.  In addition to taking the popular T to Kenmore Square, the commuter rail trains arrive at Yawkey Station, just 511 feet from the doorstep of Fenway Park.  Yawkey Station is part of the commuter rail’s Framingham/Worcester line, which runs from Worcester to South Station.

The last outbound commuter rail train from Yawkey Station departs at 11:36 p.m. on weekdays and 11:10 p.m. on weekends. Departure times for the last Yawkey Station train are subject to change based on the length of the game.  These trains offer as many as 48 regularly scheduled stops every weekday.  For more commuter rail information, visit mbta.com.

College Democrats of Massachusetts Gather for Annual Convention

College Democrats of Massachusetts Gather for Annual Convention

Students from across MA will meet at Tufts University on Saturday, April 11th

Boston--The College Democrats of Massachusetts (CDM), the official collegiate arm of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, will hold its annual convention on Saturday April 11th at Tufts University, in Sophia Gordon Hall. The meeting of over one hundred active members is an opportunity for college Democrats from across the commonwealth to come together to reflect on past success, hear from prominent Democratic leaders, and plan progressive policy goals for the year ahead.

“From supporting the efforts of Democrats across the commonwealth this past November to lobbying the State House to pass three different progressive pieces of legislation, the College Democrats of Massachusetts have played an unprecedented role in Massachusetts politics this year,” said CDM president Marvin McMoore, “Saturday’s convention is all about keeping up that momentum and planning for the year ahead.”

Student leaders will hear from Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA6), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA5) and Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA7), as well as Senator Tom McGee and Nicole LaChapelle, the Chair and Treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, respectively. Other featured speakers include President of Field First Strategies, Carl Nilsson; Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s Field Services, Patrick Sheridan-Rossi; and former Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh. Other elected officials, including Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Representative Evandro Carvalho, Representative Brian Mannal, Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim, and New Bedford City Councilor Dana Rebeiro will also address convention delegates. Our speaking series will begin at 10:45am, and all press is welcome to attend.

"I am so excited that a year's worth of unprecedented advocacy from College Democrats in the Commonwealth will be celebrated with the attendance of so many activists, politicians, and professionals,” said CDM Vice President Chelsea Carrier, “We cannot wait to learn from our guest speakers and panelists about how we can continue to move progressive policies forward in Massachusetts."

Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend two different panels discussing subjects of direct importance to college students interested in learning more about the political process and  pursuing political careers upon graduation. Hacks and Flacks: A Panel on Politics and the Press, will feature Mike Deehan, Statehouse News Service Reporter; Matt Stout, Boston Herald Reporter; Kate Norton, Vice President of Communications at CK Strategies; and Bonnie McGilpin, Press Secretary forBoston Mayor Marty Walsh. The second panel, Finding the Dirt: A Panel on the Practice and Ethics of Political Research, will include Jacob Wessel, Massachusetts Democrat Party Researcher; Tom Ryan, a former researcher for President Obama’s reelection campaign; David Stone, President of 3-Street Strategies; and Kevin Ready, former top advisor to Attorney General Martha Coakley’s gubernatorial campaign. Panels are closed press.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES “FRIENDSHIP FOUR” TOURNAMENT FOR BELPOT TROPHY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES “FRIENDSHIP FOUR” TOURNAMENT FOR BELPOT TROPHY

International College Hockey Tournament Result of Mayor’s Trip to Ireland

BOSTON - Friday, April 10, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Councillor Arder Carson, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Northern Ireland and representatives from the hockey community to announce “The Friendship Four,” an international hockey tournament in Belfast from November 27 - November 28, 2015 featuring hockey teams from Northeastern University, UMass Lowell, Brown University and Colgate University competing for the Belpot Trophy. 

Last September, Mayor Walsh traveled to Ireland and signed his first sister city agreement with the City of Belfast.

“During my time in Ireland, I saw firsthand how sports, and hockey in particular, play an incredible role in bridging communities,” said Mayor Walsh. “I am thrilled to announce the first tournament for the Belpot Trophy this fall. I would like to thank former mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir for his original partnership in this ambitious exchange and his continued hospitality towards Boston and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson, and the Belfast City Council for their commitment to making this tournament become a reality.”

“The Sister City agreement which we signed with Boston last May is designed to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural, faith based exchange and educational linkages between our two cities," said Lord Mayor, Councillor Arder Carson. "Bringing this prestigious tournament to Belfast is one of the first substantive results of the agreement, and we are delighted that, even before the first puck has been hit, there already is a commitment to play it here for a further four years.  It is our hope that the success of this tournament will help stimulate further exchanges, especially in terms of trade missions and educational links. Bringing this tournament to Belfast will be a great boost to our economy. The global media coverage this will attract is likely to bring a very positive offspin for Belfast too.”

“Ice hockey is a cross community sport in Belfast and this is one of the main reasons the Belfast Giants have been able to have success over the past 15 years,” said Eric Porter, Chairman of the Odyssey Trust,tournament hosts and owners of the Odyssey Arena, home to the Belfast Giants. “The Friendship Four will be the first time that teams at this standard of ice hockey will play in Belfast  and we expect our fans to be very excited about seeing it at their home arena. It is an opportunity to give back to the communities that have supported us over the years and we truly want to make this an event that is open to all."

The Friendship Four will be held at the Belfast Giants/Odyssey Arena.

The City of Boston is working with Secretary of State John Kerry’s Office of Global Partnerships and the Belfast Giants to incorporate educational components to the tournament weekend, including having student-athletes visit classrooms in Belfast.

The Mayor made the announcement at the Bobby Orr statue at the TD Garden.

“On behalf of ECAC Hockey, we are honored to be part of this tremendous endeavor,” said Stephen R. Hagwell, ECAC Hockey Commissioner. “We relish the opportunity to experience and have a positive impact on such a memorable cultural exchange."

"The Hockey East family is excited about this event, both from the hockey and cultural perspectives," said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. "We will work with everyone to make this first event a huge success and lay the groundwork for future such tournaments for others to experience."

Baker Administration Announces $900,000 Investment in Woodstove Rebate Program

Baker Administration Announces $900,000 Investment in Woodstove Rebate Program

WORCESTER - April 10, 2015 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a $900,000 investment in the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program, which provides rebates to homeowners who replace their older, inefficient woodstoves with cleaner, EPA-certified models that use less fuel and reduce energy costs.

“New, more efficient woodstoves will save homeowners money on wood costs, while improving public health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Woodstove Change-Out Program is an important part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to clean energy, and a healthy environment.”

Launched in 2012, the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“This program is a perfect example of a multi-agency partnership that results in the use of lower-cost fuels and more efficient technology for Massachusetts' residents, which will ultimately protect air quality in our neighborhoods,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg.

The program has helped more than 850 residents swap out their dirty, inefficient stoves for newer, cleaner models, with more than 350 of these rebates going to low-income residents. Residents installing new stoves can expect to save an average of $2,000 for each cord of wood they are currently burning, over the lifetime of the stove.

EPA-certified stoves on average require one-third of the amount of renewable wood sources to produce the same amount of heat as older models, while releasing 70 to 90 percent less particulate matter, which has been shown to lead to health conditions like asthma.Every 100 new stoves burning one cord of wood each per year reduce an amount of greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking nearly 50 cars off the road.

“Clean energy comes in many forms, and this program will once again allow homeowners to take control of their energy use, improve their own environment and save money at the same time,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.

“These rebates will make a big financial difference to those purchasing the cleaner and more efficient models,” said DOER Acting Commissioner Dan Burgess. “These new stoves will reduce emissions, heat more effectively and will improve the health and comfort for homes across the Commonwealth.”

Rebates range from $750 to $1,250, depending on emission levels and type of stove, and from $1,750 to $2,250 for residents who meet certain income requirements.

“This is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to upgrade, save, and innovate,” said Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler.  “I hope that many homeowners will take advantage of the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program.”

“The Woodstove Rebate Program is a great investment towards reducing our carbon footprint while also reducing energy costs for the citizens of Worcester and across the Commonwealth,” said State Representative John J. Mahoney

Residents must have an existing and operational non-EPA-certified woodstove to qualify for a rebate. To apply for a rebate, residents must visit a participating woodstove retailer, who will handle the application process on the residents’ behalf.

Rebate applications will be accepted until at least May 22, 2015, with the deadline being extended if funds remain. Residents can find a local participating woodstove professional by visiting www.masscec.com/woodstove.

華林功夫五月二日慶四十五週年