波士頓也要測試無人駕駛計程車

座落在劍橋市的nuTonomy公司，不到一個月前才在新加坡街道上測試無人駕駛汽車，上周四又宣佈，已經和一家類似優步(Uber)的公司敲定，要大幅度擴大這一測試。

根據nuTonomy公司的發言人Jonathan Leibowitz，一家在東南亞，類似優步和力扶(Lyft)的呼叫車公司”用戶抓(Users-of-Grab)”，將容許用戶在已獲批准的小測試區內，藉由應用程式來預約nuTonomy的自動駕駛計程車。

NuTonomy是一家為自駕汽車研發軟體的公司，8月開始在測試區內以自駕計程車載運乘客。Leibowitz說，過去幾週以來，乘客們已經藉由預訂服務來叫車了。

NuTonomy是在優步推出類似自動駕駛招車服務的同時，在匹茲堡也推出了這服務。這兩個服務都有人坐在駕駛座來做必要的控制。

波士頓計畫在未來月分中，開始自駕車測試，不過怎麼做的細節就還沒公佈。

全美台灣同鄉聯誼會在波士頓招開第39屆年會 (圖片)

台灣政黨輪替效應彰顯 慶雙十團沒廣東歌不唱梅花

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導)僑委會安排的慶祝中華民國105年雙十國慶文化訪問團，9月22日晚在麻州Weston鎮的瑞吉斯學院演出，傳統僑社、不分藍綠的來自台灣僑胞，以及來自中國大陸僑胞，全都匯聚一堂，親切敘舊，交流，十分熱鬧。

雙十訪問團團長張富美(右)、波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬。

晚會在司儀江佩蓉請全體起立唱美國，中華民國國歌後開始。駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，雙十文化訪問團團長張富美一一致詞。僑委會副委員長呂元榮正好來波士頓出席全美台灣同鄉聯誼會年會，特地出席，與僑胞同樂。

左起，波士頓經文處副處長陳銘俊，處長賴銘琪夫婦，僑委會
副委員長呂元榮，雙十訪問團團長張富美，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬
夫婦。(周菊子攝)

賴銘琪先感謝各界僑胞支持這慶祝活動，再指出今年是校園民歌四十一週年慶，接著半開玩笑表示，大家可不能隨口說自己從小聽民歌長大，不然就洩漏年齡天機。

在波士頓老僑、新僑中左右逢源的蔣宗壬，上台致詞時也特地感謝中國城，郊區的僑胞都出錢出力，才能順利舉辦這場晚會，演員們實力堅強，僑胞們一定滿意。

江佩蓉擔任司儀。(周菊子攝)

穿著一身粉紅絲綢，顯得喜氣洋洋的張富美，當年是陳水扁政府任內，唯一做滿8年，未被撤換的閣員首長。她透露，僑委會現任委員長吳新興是她15年前親手挑出來的副委員長，因此今年7月吳新興打電話請她出任雙十文化訪問團團長時，儘管有點擔心要在一個月內跑15個城市，恐怕很累，仍有義不容辭之感。

張富美表示，自己當年曾到波士頓求學，取得哈佛大學博士學位，對波士頓相當有感情。2011年蔡英文來波士頓為競選總統造勢時，她也曾再度來訪，非常高興有機會再見許多老朋友。

9月22日晚的表演，由於音響臨時出狀況，大約遲了半小時才開演。出席僑胞們正好趁機會和許久未見的朋友敘舊，會場一片歡喜氣氛。

當晚演出的6名跨世代藝人，分別為曾獲金鼎獎，華語金曲三十年逐夢榮譽大獎，以”天天天藍”一曲揚名，1980年出道的潘越雲，民歌王子李明德，擅長模仿台灣搖滾天王伍佰的黃上，有”小張惠妹”之稱的簡語卉，雙目失明的美聲歌手蕭湘婷，以及小丑表演藝術家周子汧等人。

簡語卉披著捲曲長髮，穿著白紗短裙，率先出場，以一曲充滿動感的”Bad Boy”流行曲，帶熱氣氛，再唱”姊妹”，”聽海”，讓觀眾感受她和台灣流行音樂天后張惠妹到底有多像。

接著由擅長模仿台灣搖滾音樂天王伍佰的黃上，穿著很酷的貼身戎裝禮服演唱”衝衝衝”，”浪人情歌”，”你是我的花朵”。黃上透露，前不久，台灣一家媒體還真把他當作伍佰，在報導伍佰的新聞時，用了他的照片，也夠搞笑的。

 2015年代表台灣到美國參加世界小丑大賽的周子清欽汧，在表演”魔術立方體”之外，還走入觀眾席，先後邀了蔡喬茵等兩名觀眾上台表演雜技，贏得不少掌聲，笑聲。

從小因為視網膜病變而全盲的蕭湘婷，上台後先唱”我的未來不是夢”，彷彿要提醒觀眾，盲人如她都能實現自己愛唱歌的夢，何況身心俱全的大家。她接著還演唱了”花若離枝”，”海上花”兩曲。許多觀眾離場時都說，蕭湘婷的聲音真是好。

有民歌王子之稱的李明德，拿出吉他，演唱”微風往事”，再唱”其實我不想放棄”，還走入觀眾席，和人一一握手，頗為現場製造了點氣氛。

壓軸出場的，當然是曾經名氣最響亮的潘越雲。細心裝扮後的潘越雲，遠看和當年出道時差不多。她一開口演唱成名曲”天天天藍”，也讓觀眾覺得聲音一如以往。

僑委會副委員長呂元榮(左起)，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉和波士頓
經文處賴銘琪，台大校友會會長陳燕貞。(周菊子攝)

現場不少觀眾顯然頗為熟悉潘越雲，紛紛現場點歌，要聽”情自這條路”，”桂花香”，甚至”望春風”這些歌，還指定要清唱。潘越雲也展露真金不怕火煉的功夫，在沒有音響陪襯之下，依然歌聲優美。

    表演晚會最後在”愛拚才會贏”的大合唱聲中結束。

北京京劇協會創辦人劉瑋珊(中)(周菊子攝)

    由於台灣剛經歷了第三度政黨輪替，民進黨上台，在海外的親綠團體也開始更願意出席政府舉辦的活動。9月22日晚有不少往年少見的臉孔出現在觀眾席中。在陳水扁政府任內當過波士頓僑務委員的張啟典，也難得地出現在這類僑社活動中。

    表演結束後，曾任大波士頓中華文化協會會長，但本身是廣東人的洗鳳明談及表演時坦言有點失望。她說，有那麼多傳統僑社僑胞來捧場，可是居然沒唱廣東歌。

    甫卸任波士頓僑務委員，現為紐英崙中華公所主席的陳家驊也不諱言的表示，今年竟然以”愛拚才會贏”做表演結束的大合唱曲，而不是像往年那樣，高唱”中華民國頌”，”梅花”，有點美中不足。

僑領楊克競夫婦。(周菊子攝)

張啟典出席與會。

陳裕逢(中)，吳杏玫當義工，在會場服務。(周菊子攝)

USDA Declares Primary Natural Disaster Areas for 14 Massachusetts Counties

USDA Declares Primary Natural Disaster Areas for 14 Massachusetts Counties

Qualified Farms are Eligible for Financial Assistance

BOSTON –September 23, 2016 – Due to ongoing drought conditions and their effect on Massachusetts’ agricultural industry, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eleven Commonwealth counties and three contiguous counties as primary natural disaster areas. All qualified farm operators within the designated counties (Barnstable; Bristol; Essex; Franklin; Hampden; Hampshire; Middlesex; Norfolk; Plymouth; Suffolk; and Worchester) and the three contiguous disaster counties (Berkshire; Dukes; and Nantucket) are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans provided by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“Massachusetts’ agricultural sector, which includes many hardworking, family-owned farms, is an important component of the state’s economy, and it is essential that we work together to provide farmers with the assistance needed during this difficult time,” said Governor Charlie Baker.“Coupled with the state’s Emergency Drought Loan Fund, the USDA’s Emergency Loans will help ease the adverse effects caused by this year’s drought conditions.”

“Massachusetts has always maintained a vibrant agricultural industry providing fresh products bought and sold around the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By providing financial assistance, hardworking farms will be able to recover quicker from the effects caused by this year’s drought, which will directly benefit regional economies.”

“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to work with state, federal and agricultural stakeholders to address the adverse effect drought conditions are having on the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry,” said Energy and Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “As ongoing drought conditions persist, residents in all corners of the state are strongly encouraged to support the agricultural community by shopping local for food products to help provide relief for farmers who have faced negative impacts associated with this period of prolonged dry weather.”

In order to receive an EM loan from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, farmers in eligible counties must apply within eight months from the date of the declaration, which was on September 21, 2016. Importantly, the EM loans will be provided to mitigate farm operations losses. Farmers in the designated counties are urged to contact their local FSA county offices for additional information such as eligibility requirements and application procedures regarding the EM loan program.

The USDA’s most recent declaration comes on the heels of a separate primary natural disaster areasannouncement the federal department made earlier this week for several Massachusetts counties due to crop losses, particularly of tree fruits like peaches, caused by frost and freeze occurring between February and May. The disaster designation also made farms in designated counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.

“As we continue to work with our federal partners to provide assistance to farms, nurseries and related businesses, residents can also help them while they help themselves,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Purchasing nutritious, locally grow food is a healthy choice; enjoying the beauty of locally grown nursery stock and greenhouse plants in your yard feeds the spirit. Our farmers and growers are working extra hard to bring top quality product to market.”

“President Obama and Secretary Vilsack are committed to ensuring agriculture remains a bright spot in the Commonwealth’s economy by working with our state and local partners to help sustain Massachusetts farmers through these difficult times,” said Jon Niedzielski, Massachusetts State Director Executive Director, USDA - Farm Service Agency. “The USDA Farm Service Agency has a variety of programs, in addition to emergency loans, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity and we encourage producers to contact their local county office to find out more.”

Recently, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of the Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund. The program provides micro-loans to family farms and other small businesses affected by prolonged drought conditions within Massachusetts.

公民銀行華盛頓街分行開幕 捐款資助華埠獅子會

On September 22, 2016, the Citizens Bank branch at 580 Washington St had their grand opening, ribbon cutting celebration.  Many familiar Chinatown business owners and friends came to wish the branch manager, Herb Wong good luck and success.  This particular branch utilized the latest design and technology in banking, one of only three other locations that have this technology.

左起，黃維建，伍國光，余麗媖，李源沛等人代表華埠蝨子會接受
公民銀行捐款。(華埠獅子會堤供)

The Asian American Civic Association (AACA) brought a group of students from their banking class.  This class gives these 10-15 students exposure to the banking industry, and ultimately land a job.  The fact that two (2) of their current employees came from this program is a testimony to its commitment to community success.

Another group who benefited from the generosity of Citizens Bank was the Boston Chinatown Lions Club.  A monetary donation was given to the Lions who are dedicated to Service in the Community and Humanity around the world.  The Boston Chinatown Lions Club will celebrate their 30th Anniversary in January, while Lions Club International will celebrate their 100th year.  Lions Club International has 1.35 million members around the world, with 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries.  The Club donates 100% of all they fundraise back to the community and charities.

Some of the charities that Lions Clubs endorses is Mass Lions Eye Research Fund, Lions Club International Foundation and disaster relief, 33K Lions Eyemobile, and the local Kwong Kow Chinese School.  It was a wonderful celebration and a connection to the Boston Chinatown community.

Partnerships among training programs and employers connect job-seekers with metro Boston's growing life sciences industry

Partnerships among training programs and employers connect job-seekers with metro Boston's growing life sciences industry

Report finds the Skilled Careers in Life Sciences (SCILS) Initiative led to 85% employment for training graduates in first three years

BOSTON – Over 500 people have benefited from an initiative to help unemployed and underemployed metro Boston residents launch careers in the thriving life sciences industry, according to a report released today by the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD). The Skilled Careers in Life Sciences (SCILS) Initiative, a four-year comprehensive effort concluding this month, helped over 85 percent of training graduates in its first three years gain new employment in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

“Massachusetts has invested successfully in the life sciences industry, and the federally-funded SCILS Initiative has provided the training and the connections necessary for Boston area residents to participate in the growth of this new economy, as well as our world-renowned healthcare sector,” said Neil Sullivan, Executive Director of the PIC, which co-led the initiative with the OWD.

"The SCILS Initiative builds on our recent research that shows healthcare is a particularly promising sector for career advancement and quality jobs," said OWD Director Trinh Nguyen. "This initiative provides a successful model for connecting job seekers to the kinds of career ladders that can make a lasting difference in their lives."

With the support of a $5 million U.S. Department of Labor grant and over $3 million in leveraged funds, the SCILS Initiative provided adult participants with scholarships, internship placements, career coaching, and networking opportunities in the life sciences. The initiative's network of colleges and training programs delivered these services in innovative ways. UMass-Boston's Venture Development Center, for example, developed a new online course to teach students how to access jobs in the evolving landscape of life sciences startups. Boston University capitalized on SCILS funding to create its BioScience Academy, an accelerated Applied Biotechnology certificate program with an emphasis on job placement in the life sciences.

As a result of the initiative, the local life sciences labor market has seen a much-needed infusion of skilled workers. More than 225 local employers have employed SCILS participants in full-time and internship positions. The most common jobs filled by graduates of the initiative's degree and certificate training programs were: manufacturing technicians, research associates, quality control technicians, medical laboratory technicians, surgical technicians, and clinical research assistants. These occupations typically pay anywhere from $35,000 – $66,000 annually.

Salasse Keffous, an Algerian immigrant featured in the report, is one of many participants who benefited from the SCILS Initiative. A former parking attendant, Keffous completed his associate's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology with the help of a $4,000 SCILS scholarship. He now works as a biomedical equipment technician for GE.

In addition to its training and educational services, the initiative also convened a quarterly consortium of employers, training programs, and career centers to share information on staffing and skills needs in the life sciences. These needs are only projected to grow. Over 4,000 job openings in the state's life sciences industry are estimated to need filling by May 2018. In the year 2015 alone, Massachusetts biopharmaceutical job listings increased by 35 percent.

Looking forward, the SCILS report recommends continuing the work of the consortium through ongoing dialogue among stakeholders in the life sciences workforce. The report also notes that a solution is needed to address the backlog of prospective laboratory professionals awaiting clinical rotations necessary to graduate from their programs. The creation of an online clearinghouse of available rotations at local laboratories is one potential solution posited by the report. 
 
As part of the report's release, a SCILS Initiative wrap-up celebration at MassBioEd Foundation today includes remarks by Lauren Jones, Director of Business Strategy for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, and a panel discussion on the future of life sciences training and employment in the Commonwealth. The panel features Peter Abair, Executive Director of MassBioEd Foundation; John Finch, Deputy Director of Administration & Finance at MassBiologics; Sean Hemingway, Head of Product Operations & Network Excellence at Shire; and Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. 

SCILS Initiative partners include Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, Quincy College, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and the Just-A-Start Biomedical Careers Program.

數百人上街遊行為租屋者權益示威

來自波士頓數個不同社區的幾百民租房客及支持者，9月22日下午加入在全美46個城市同時舉行的遊行示威行動，呼籲立法保護低級中收入居民，以免他們被高漲的房租逼走。

有權留在這聯盟(Right to Remain Coalition)在波士頓市政府大樓廣場，象徵性的遞送了一份違反人權驅逐令給大波士頓房地產委員會，指控該會打擊社會中建造可負擔住宅的努力。

發起這次全國性抗議行動，位於紐約布魯克林的有權在城市聯盟(Right to the City Alliance)發言人Malcolm Torrejon Chu表示，波士頓的行動是響應在全美20州，近50個城市的行動。

位於劍橋市的小物業主協會由大約10個人做代表，在這數百名示威者的對面，也排出反對抗議陣仗。該會行政主任Skip Schloming表示，租金高漲並不等於驅逐，而且限制物業主可做甚麼的企圖，意味著回歸到租金控制年代。

他說大波士頓都會區的租金已經不像兩年前那樣攀升了。今年第二季以來，大波士頓內的公寓租金平均約為2050元。

示威人群拿著”你的豪華就是我們的遷離”的標語牌遊行著。他們也打算針對波士頓重建局採取行動，指控該局鼓勵豪華高端的土地發展，卻未能保護現有居民留在他們所居住的社區。

示威遊行人群從市政府沿路走過市內的豪華住宅大樓，一邊示威喊口號。

走到華埠時，示威人群停在黃述沾紀念公園，站在這已經被麻州交通局賣掉了一部分給發展商的土地上，要求承諾為鄰里居民建造真正可負擔的住宅。他們也批評州市政府官員在居民為房租掙扎之際，慷愾撥款給通用電子公司，鼓勵該公司遷址堡點(Fort Point)區。

華人前進會行政主任駱理德表示，每個人都想要有個活力充沛的城市，但問題是過去15年來，以華埠為例，附近地區的住宅單位數量增加了近一倍，但卻有百分之八，九十是豪華住宅，於是私人擁有的房屋租金大漲，數量龐大的租屋客被迫遷居。