星期三, 9月 13, 2017

MAYOR WALSH, MASS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION, MASS LAW REFORM INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE GREATER BOSTON IMMIGRANT DEFENSE FUND

MAYOR WALSH, MASS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION, MASS LAW REFORM INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE GREATER BOSTON IMMIGRANT DEFENSE FUND

Local foundations, legal aid programs, nonprofits, and corporate partners come together to support immigrant community

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 13, 2017- Mayor Walsh, local funders, Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) today announced the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund, a public-private partnership and funding collaborative that seeks to strengthen the Greater Boston area's capacity to protect and defend its many immigrant communities, refugees, and temporary status holders by increasing education and access to legal services. Subsequently, MLAC released a Request for Proposals (RFP) calling for nonprofit organizations in the Boston area to enhance legal service capacity, strengthen community education and outreach, and build network infrastructure with the over $1 million dollars already pledged from local funders to carry out the mission of the Defense Fund.

"Boston would not be the thriving city it is without its immigrant community, past and present," said Mayor Walsh. "Through this initiative, funding will be made available for legal service providers in order to increase legal representation for those facing deportation and who cannot afford the cost of a lawyer. Additionally, funds will be distributed to organizations with strong community engagement programs in order to connect legal representation with community education and outreach."

The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC), the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in Massachusetts, will serve as the fiscal sponsor for the cross-sector initiative. MLAC will directly distribute funds to both legal service providers and community outreach organizations, which will be awarded after the competitive application process. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), a statewide poverty law and policy center, and legal services Immigration Coalition convenor, will serve as the network coordinator. The Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement will track and evaluate the impact of the initiative over the course of a two-year pilot period.

"Civil legal aid plays a vital role in protecting the rights of individuals and families that come to the United States in search of economic opportunity and freedom from violence and persecution." said Lonnie Powers, Executive Director of MLAC. "We are deeply grateful for this much-needed funding, which will enable legal aid programs to partner with community-based agencies to educate, empower, and provide legal support to vulnerable immigrants and refugees in the Greater Boston area."

"As a first generation immigrant, the daughter of immigrants who came to the US seeking a better life, I can speak to the importance that the American Dream holds to all who believe the United States is the beacon of justice, hope, and opportunity," said Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director of MLRI. "It is that promise that has brought millions to our shores. On behalf of legal aid programs that serve low income and vulnerable immigrants, I want to express sincere gratitude to Mayor Walsh and to all the funders who have supported the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund."

The fund is made possible by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), a national network of foundations working on issues related to immigrant integration, as well as by contributions from local philanthropic, corporate and legal partners. The design of the initiative is the product of a collaborative effort between the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement, Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation and Massachusetts Law Reform Institute with input from local funders and immigration advocates. Local foundations and corporate partners contributing to the fund include the Barr Foundation, the Klarman Family Foundation, the Boston Foundation, the Fish Family Foundation, the Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation, Foley Hoag, Mintz Levin, and the Hyams Foundation, the lead funder for the initiative.

"Last week, the Trump Administration threw the lives of 800,000 young people into turmoil and uncertainty with the stroke of a pen," said Dr. Jocelyn Sargent, Executive Director of the Hyams Foundation. "In an era of volatile federal politics and a growing nationalist movement, it is our collective and moral responsibility to ensure that Boston continues to serve as a sanctuary for all. More than 22% of Greater Boston's 800,000 immigrants and refugees do not have immigration status. This initiative will allow us-as philanthropists, government, and nonprofits-to stand in solidarity against the discrimination, hostility and painful uncertainty experienced every day by our fellow Bostonians."

"There is a severe justice gap when it comes to protecting the rights of immigrants and their families, who remain among the most vulnerable people in our society," said Martin W. Healy, Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of the Massachusetts Bar Association. "This welcome infusion of funding will help expand legal aid at this critical time where it is most needed."

"We are grateful to Mayor Walsh and the Fund partners for this ambitious effort to increase access to justice for some of the most vulnerable members of society," said Mark Smith, Boston Bar Association President. "We are acutely aware of the need for legal representation in this area, and we stand ready to assist and support attorneys and organizations who commit their time and talent to this important cause."

Through their contributions to the cultural, social and economic landscape of the city, immigrants play an essential role in Boston's unique civic life. Foreign-born Bostonians account for 28.4% of City's population, and nearly half of Boston's children under that age of 18 lived with at least one foreign born parent in 2015. Immigrants generate nearly a quarter of the economic output of Suffolk County. In 2014, immigrants contributed $2.3 billion to the regional economy, generating more than $116.1 million in state and local tax revenues and approximately 15,000 jobs. Additionally, a high proportion of foreign born Bostonians are self-employed, which has helped revitalize and reinvigorate many of Boston's neighborhoods.

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito Sign 300th Community Compact with Town of Swampscott

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito Sign 300th Community Compact with Town of Swampscott
660 best practices in local government across 300 communities in Massachusetts ensuring partnership and mutual accountability with state government


SWAMPSCOTT—Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito signed a Community Compact agreement with the town of Swampscott, marking a milestone as the Commonwealth’s 300th Compact Community.   

“The Community Compact program has been successful in strengthening the relationships between state and local government in cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth under the leadership of Lt. Governor Polito who has worked tirelessly to travel the state visiting local officials and stakeholders as part of this program,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am proud to see Swampscott sign our administration’s 300thcompact to regionalize services, combat long-term financial challenges and implement the Complete Streets Program.”

In 2015, Governor Baker signed his first Executive Order establishing the Community Compact Cabinet (CCC) chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, in order to elevate the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns in all communities of the Commonwealth.

“The Community Compact Cabinet is proud to have signed 300 Compacts with municipalities across the state in order to help build stronger communities and a stronger Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Polito, Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet. “From grants and technical assistance to connecting resources, we are pleased to work with communities to be a better partner, making all cities and towns a better place to work, live and raise a family.” 

“Swampscott’s commitment to improving and highlighting its scenic coastal town is illustrated by today’s Community Compact signing,” said Senator Thomas M. McGee (D-Lynn). “The institution of best practices such as regional and shared services, intermodal transportation efforts and enhanced long-range capital planning, will continue to advance the economic growth of the town and the quality of life for its residents.”

Representative Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) said, “I'm thrilled to celebrate the 300th compact signing in Swampscott. Partnering with Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, and hard-working local officials for municipal best practices is good governance at its best. The genius behind the compact is that when our communities are provided resources and support, we all win.”

Currently, 311 municipalities have applied to participate in the Community Compact program, with 688 total chosen best practices. Including Swampscott, 300 communities have signed compacts representing 660 best practices. Implementing these best practices distinctly improves the operations of local government, creating a stronger community and in many cases, a better experience for residents.

In addition to the Best Practice program, two other grant programs under the Community Compact Cabinet have benefitted municipalities.  The IT Grant program has provided a total of $4 million impacting more than 130 municipalities for various projects that will drive innovation and transformation at the local level.  Similarly, the Efficiency & Regionalization Grant program has resulted in $2 million of grants being awarded for projects impacting more than 120 communities and school districts that support regionalization and other efficiency initiatives that allow for long-term sustainability.

Community Compacts are one tool the administration is utilizing to strengthen the partnership between cities and towns and the Commonwealth. By entering a Community Compact, a community agrees to implement self-selected best practices. As part of this partnership, the Commonwealth agrees to fulfill a set of commitments and works to provide assistance for a community based on their chosen best practice. 

Through these Compacts, Swampscott will partner with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to implement the following best practices:
  • Regionalization/Shared Services: The Commonwealth will award a Community Compact Grant for Swampscott to continue to explore ways to expand regional services.
  • Long-range Capital and Financial Planning/Forecasting: The Commonwealth will award a Community Compact Grant for Swampscott to develop a long-range financial forecast that helps the Town understand both its long-term financial challenges and capacity for capital investment.
  • Transportation/Public Works – Active Transportation: Complete Streets: In order to implement the Complete Streets Program, the Commonwealth will provide technical assistance to the community through MassDOT’s zero-cost certification process.  This will make Swampscott eligible for prioritization planning funding and construction grants.
For more information or to apply for a Community Compact go to www.mass.gov/ccc.


八名音樂家 9/23 喬丹廳推出"花果靈根集"音樂會


(Boston Orange) 中華表演藝術基金會將於923(週六)8點,假紐英崙音樂學院喬丹廳(Jordan Hall),舉辦花果靈根集音樂會,由紐約北美中樂團等8名中國樂器音樂家,演奏10首令人興發思古幽情,感受花果飄零淒美意境的即興作品。
            紐約北美中樂團應中華表演藝術基金會之邀,曾於數年前在波士頓喬登廳演出“荒漠錦堂”--“智化寺古音樂””玄門步虛””新泉香如故”,大受歡迎。這次再訪波士頓,將擴增陣容,除了原班人馬的中國管樂三大金剛,包鍵、胡建兵及陳濤,還邀得古箏演奏家翁慧、古琴劉麗、琵琶周懿、二胡夏文傑、及大提琴家 Mike Block等人同台演出觀眾門勢可一飽耳福。

當晚曲目和音樂家介紹請上網站查詢。曲目簡介如下:

1. 普庵咒: 清故恭王府音樂 —愛新覺羅毓峘傳譜
2. 賣菜: 山西民樂,北派笛曲的代表作品,樂曲清麗俏皮。具有濃郁的生活氣息。

3. 墨客: 是作曲家方岽清先生特別為古箏演奏家翁慧量身打造的作品並早在2011年她的個人同名音樂會中首演,該曲在中國內地廣泛流傳,目前已是各大音樂會,專業比賽的上演率最高的古箏獨奏作品。

4. 流水: 由古琴和蕭合奏的古琴曲《流水》歷史悠久。此曲兼有抒情性和模擬性,虛實結合、情景相融、氣象高遠,成為最受琴家們青睞的琴曲之一。

5. 五色 : 即興笙獨奏
在青藏高原上隨處可見的五色經幡藏語稱“隆達”,是一種用棉布、麻紗、絲綢等材料製成的長方形彩旗,共有藍、白、紅、綠、黃五種顏色,分別像徵天空、祥雲、火焰、江河和大地。隨處漂浮在大地上方的藍天白雲,與紅黃色的僧服寺院,形成了一幅幅美麗的天然畫作。

6. 天竺梵音
在古絲綢之路上有一個龜茲古國,那裡曾是絲路商人們的休息娛樂之地,不同民族文化在那裡交匯,形成了著名的龜茲文化,既有音樂也有舞蹈。此曲運用了中國唐代雅樂的元素及中亞音樂的音樂元素創作而成。

7. 琵琶語
是電影《一個陌生女人的來信》中的背景音樂、片頭片尾曲。 《琵琶語》幽遠的意境直刺人的靈魂深處,升騰起一股淡淡的哀傷,加上琵琶所獨有的“泣泣私語訴衷腸”,讓人沉醉而欲罷不能。

8. 清明上河圖 :
這是一首以宋代大畫家張澤瑞的名畫為題,以宋代的音調創作的一首組曲。作品曾獲得日本廣播大賽一等獎,澳大利亞音樂界特別獎。此版本經著名古箏演奏家楊藝和著名笛子演奏家陳濤用古箏與低音笛重新演繹,並與2017年元月在美國新澤西州府劇院做美國首演。

9. 幽蘭: 梅蘭竹菊之一。幽蘭恬靜又溫文爾雅。保持著自己的姿勢,散發著淡淡的幽香,遠風如洗,不起一絲漣漪。

10. 老六板 :中國民間傳統器樂絲竹樂的一種,流行於江蘇和浙江一帶。江南絲竹是中國國家非物質文化遺產之一。

音樂會門票分為$50 (貴賓保留區、可預先指定座位)及$30(不對號自由入座)兩種,學生票$15 (不對號自由座區)。提供100張免費學生票 (14歲以上,每人一張) 請上www.ChinesePerformingArts.net索票,六歲以下兒童請勿入場 。

售票處:
喬登廳票房: 617-585-1260
網站購票:www.ChinesePerformingArts.net(無手續費)

查詢:
中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵
電話:781-259-8195
Email:Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net
Web:http://www.ChinesePerformingArts.net

George Herman's "Incidental Mo(nu)ments" Art Show at Summer Star

夏日星辰野生動物保護園園主劉沙林(左)和藝術家George Herman)。
(周菊子攝)
藝術家George Herman)談論他的這批畫作。(周菊子攝)

畫作掛在夏日星辰野生動物保護園藝廊。(周菊子攝)



Governor Baker Nominates John C. Englander to Associate Justice of the Appeals Court

Governor Baker Nominates John C. Englander to Associate Justice of the Appeals Court

BOSTON— Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated John C. Englander to serve as the Associate Justice of the Appeals Court. Englander has over 30 years of experience a partner in the trial department of Goodwin Procter a national law firm founded in Boston, and currently serves as General Counsel to MassDOT and the MBTA.

“John Englander has a distinguished record as an outstanding litigator in the public and private sectors, with a distinguished record of service to his clients, the Commonwealth and to the Courts,” said Governor Baker. “I am pleased to submit his name for the Governor’s Council’s advice and consent.”

“Attorney Englander has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping the citizens of Massachusetts and its communities as General Counsel for MassDOT and the MBTA as well as through his years of service helping support Cohasset Public Schools,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “I am confident his substantial experience will serve the people of Massachusetts well, if confirmed.”

The Massachusetts Appeals Court reviews decisions that trial judges across the Departments of the Trial Court have already made. Their jurisdiction also includes the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident board, and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The Appeals Court has twenty-five statutory justices, including the chief justice.

For more information about the Appeals Court, please visit:http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/appealscourt/

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About John C. Englander
John C. Englander currently serves as General Counsel for MassDOT and the MBTA, where he advises on all legal issues facing the two agencies, including those raised by the effort to turnaround, and to improve, the MBTA. Previously, he served as a partner at Goodwin Procter where he was regularly recognized as one of the leading litigators in Massachusetts by Chambers USA and US News. Englander also co-founded and served on the Board of the Cohasset Education Foundation, a non-profit organized to support and fund the Cohasset Public Schools. After earning a Bachelor of Sciences in Mechanical Engineering at Cornell, he graduated first in class from Boston University Law School in 1983 and thereafter was a law clerk on the First Circuit Court of Appeals and on the United States Supreme Court. Englander and his wife, Mary-Ann, have three children

昆市議員梁秀婷大選保位戰勢須爭取更多支持

(Boston Orange) 昆士市市議員初選,不分區議員部分的選舉,76,結果並不令人意外。兩名華裔參選人,在位議員梁秀婷順利進入大選,新人蕭東方敬陪末座,大選出局。
117日大選時,昆士是不分區市議員將是63的局面,在位議員梁秀婷在這次初選中的得票數3095,僅排名第五,和前三名的票數相差600票到將近2000票,要想順利連任,她在接下來的這一個多月,勢必得加把勁,鼓動更多支持者在大選時出席投票,才能保位成功。
今年的昆士市市級選舉,由於市長一職已改為四年一任,今年不須選舉,市民顯得更不在乎。初選的出席投票率僅14.68%。基於6名入圍者得票數差距並不太大,意味著大選時,誰能煽動選民出門投票,誰就有更大勝算,未來的這一個多月,昆市選情勢必更激烈。
昆士市書記辦公室的非正式統計,7名候選人的得票數,依序為在位議員狄波納(Noel DiBona)4,919票,今年6月才從昆士市公共工程局局長一職退休的雷蒙迪(Daniel Raymondi)4,037票,做了8年昆士市第1區市議員,今年轉戰不分區市議員席位的勞佛瑞(Margaret Laforest)3,624票,現任昆士市學校委員會委員,曾兩度參選昆士市市長的馬洪妮(Anne Mahoney)3,521票,接著是在位不分區市議員梁秀婷(Nina Liang)3,095票。兩名政壇新人,Stephen Tougas552票,蕭東方392票。

                     昆士市書記辦公室表示,這次初選的已登記選民出席投票率,僅約14.68%

MAYOR WALSH HOSTS END OF SUMMER PARTY FOR BOSTON SENIORS


MAYOR WALSH HOSTS END OF SUMMER PARTY FOR BOSTON SENIORS 

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 13, 2017- Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Commission on Affairs of the Elderly and City Fresh Foods today hosted the 13th annual Senior Party in the Park in the Park at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury.

"Party in the Park is an annual celebration that brings together hundreds of Boston's older residents for a day of fun," said Mayor Walsh. "This event showcases the value and vibrancy of Boston's diverse communities, and is a great way to close out the summer together."

For the past 13 years, the City of Boston's Elderly Commission and City Fresh Foods have partnered together provide an end-of-summer party to 800 older adults in Boston.

Sheldon Lloyd, CEO City Fresh Foods, said, "We are honored to partner with the City of Boston to provide the senior community with an eventful day of dance, music and great food."

Initially started as a small picnic, the event has gained popularity and is now the City's second largest annual event for seniors.

"I've been coming to these events for 18 years," said Julia Martin, 88, of Jamaica Plain. "My group and I benefit a lot from them. It gets us out of our buildings."

For others in the crowd, this was the first time attending. "My friends come every year," said Charles Britt of Mattapan. "Curiosity brought me here today."

The event event featured a brief speaking program, lunch provided by City Fresh Foods, and entertainment by Athene Wilson and Band.

"I've been coming to this event for at least 10 years," said Aliki Edwards, Director of Admissions and Marketing of the Sheehan Health Group.  "Events like this let people know about services and quality of care right here in the community."