星期三, 5月 28, 2014

波士頓市長推動建中等收入住宅

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh有意大幅度增建中等收入住宅,以期一般人能在波士頓市租或住得起房子,留住人才,保護波士頓的未來經濟發展。
馬丁華殊政府正考慮採取行動,刺激這類房屋的建造,包括指定更多的市有土地供發展,批准區域規劃變更,給予抵稅優惠等。
波士頓市目前的建造住宅數量,有著歷史性的大幅增長,但絕大多數的新單位,都是豪華出租單位,月租高達3500元以上。
根據市府資料,在波士頓市目前建造的6600個出租或出售單位中,約有22% 被年收入在五萬元至十萬元者視為可負擔住宅。絕大部分的這些單位,都是出租住宅。
對中等收入居民來說,想要自置物業,已經變成越來越難的事。
2013年及今年年初,中等收入者基本上已買不起波士頓市內大部分地區的房屋,包括查理士城( Charlestown),後灣(Back Bay),畢肯丘(Beacon Hill),城中區(downtown),南端(South End),南波士頓(South Boston),以及芬衛(Fenway)。
市政單位資料顯示,*在那些出售或出租了的單位中,只有很小一部份是家庭年收入總額在波士頓市平均數的八萬元左右者能負擔得起的房子。
已波士頓市城中區來說,家庭年收入八萬元的潛在買者,只負擔得起已出售房屋中的1.7%。在南端,也只有2.9%的已成交房屋,是那個收入幅度者買得起的房子。這些人,基本上沒人能負擔得起在後灣,或者畢肯丘出售的任何一棟房屋。
根據追蹤市中心社區銷售記錄的LINK公司資料,在那些地區的共管公寓(condominiums)平均售價,在今年頭三個月中漲到95萬元,比去年同期漲了17%
馬丁華殊政府官員表示,因為房價的大幅上漲,他們將試圖在奧斯頓(Allston),布萊頓(Brighton),多徹斯特(Dorchester),洛士百利(Roxbury),東波士頓(East Boston),海德公園(Hyde Park),羅森岱爾(Roslindale)等地加建中等收入住宅。

波士頓鄰里發展局局長狄倫(Sheila Dillon)表示,試圖在城中區建低價住宅,將是沒有善用任何一個人的時間的做法。應該要在有機會成長,有便利交通,有可用土地的地方下功夫。

BTBA每月辦學術講座 六月中舉行第二屆年會

波士頓台灣生物科技協會(BTBA)周慧婷(右起)主持講座,
謝富凱,杜荷洲是主講人。(周菊子攝)
           (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓台灣生物科技協會(BTBA)上週末在麻省理工學院舉辦學術講座,請兩名博士後談“大腸癌”,“聚合酶”,提醒各界,第二屆年會訂六月十四,十五兩日舉行,邀有中研院院士何大一等名人主講。
 雖然是長週末假日,波士頓台灣生物科技協會(BTBA)的講座,
還是有很多人出席。也有不少人陸續才抵達。(周菊子攝)
            由陳昇宏,陳宜嘉等人一群來自台灣的生物科技領域年輕科學家組成的波士頓台灣生物科技協會,自從2013年六月成功的盛大舉辦第一屆波士頓台灣生物科技研討會,邀得中研院院長翁啟惠主講後,開始定期聚會,交流知識。其中一項活動是每月二次的學術講座。
            五月廿五日這天,他們在麻省理工學院安排了二名博士後,介紹他們各自的研究主題。
            去年十一月剛到波士頓,目前在麻省總醫院(MGH),以及哈佛大學醫學院做博士後研究的謝富凱,闡述了他正在進行的研究,RNA聚合 II (RNA polymerase II)如何在染色質上把DNA分子所構成的遺傳編碼轉化成RNA分子的過程。他指出,這個看似簡單的過程,因為纏繞在組蛋白上,構成染色質基本單位的DNA分子, 在RNA聚合進行轉錄時,形成強大阻力,因此變得複雜許多
            目前在CHB Daley 實驗室做第三年博士後研究的杜荷洲,這天談的是“大腸癌”。她指出,大腸癌在癌症致死率中幾乎年年名列前茅,但治療方法到現在還是沒有太大的創新突破。 其中一個很大原因是沒有適合的分子,作"智慧藥(smart drug)" 標靶,另一個原因是現有的動物模式,都沒有發展成晚期惡性腫瘤,和病人的真正情況,差距比較遠,不太能當成好“模型"。
不過,最近她們發現,LIN28是一個只在早期胚胎表現的蛋白,跟大腸癌的發展息息相關,也許會是一個好的藥物標靶(drug target)。她們用LIN28做了一個新的大腸癌動物模型,腫瘤發展到比較晚期,也比較惡性,希望可以為日後發展新藥,對付晚期惡性大腸癌有所貢獻。
當天的講座,由周慧婷主持。二週前才剛從紐約應聘到哈佛大學幹細胞及重生生物學部門擔任助理教授的許雅捷等,有不少人出席。
波士頓台灣生物科技協會表示,去年的首屆會議大獲成功後,許多住在外州的同行,學生,都不斷探問今年會議情況,讓他們很感窩心。目前會議概況底定,已定邀有在洛克菲勒大學任教的中研院院士何大一,Genentech 副總裁沈華智,杜邦中國商務及企業發展資深主任沈碧君等人擔任主講人。今年增加的職業展部分,邀有台灣微脂體股份有限公司,交通大學,中央研究院的基因研究中心,分子生物院,農業生物科技研究中心,植物及微生物院等派要員到會與出席者面談,收履歷表。
波士頓台灣生物科技協會的這場年會,有波士頓台美基金會,中華民國科技部,駐美國臺北經濟文化代表處科技組,駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處教育組等機構贊助。入場費用十元,查詢詳情可洽btba.tw@gmail.com,或上網btbatw.org

碧樹市市長探訪天恩宮

 麻州碧樹市(Braintree)市長蘇利文(Joseph C. Sullivan)(左三)日前實踐諾言,
到天恩至德聖道院做年度探訪,點傳師蔡玉滿(右四),該院董事長劉承熹(左二)
等人在道院恭迎。(周菊子攝)
               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 麻州碧樹市(Braintree)市長蘇利文(Joseph C. Sullivan)日前實踐諾言,到賢慧佛院做年度探訪,聆聽點傳師蔡玉滿親自講談“天地君親師”等五恩。
            天恩至德聖道院賢慧佛院是點傳師蔡玉滿1992 年從台灣來波士頓佈道,歷經廿餘年發展,供天道道親修行的地方。
麻州碧樹市(Braintree)市長蘇利文(Joseph C. Sullivan)(左三)透過劉承熹(右三)
的翻譯,和點傳師蔡玉滿(左二)等人晤談。(周菊子攝)
            根據昆士愛國者報(Patriot Ledger),以及 WickedLocal.com 等英文報章的報導,賢慧佛院是1992年在昆士市開設育德佛堂的蔡點傳師,1997年與眾道親, 在碧樹市買下一所浸信會(Baptist)教堂後,改建而成的佛堂,是碧樹市三所佛廟中最老的一間。由於道親陸續增千人,該院2011年時籌備擴建,擬斥資三百五十萬元到四百萬元,把佛堂擴建為佔地16840平方尺,可容人數從150人增至295人,有75個停車位的道場。
麻州碧樹市(Braintree)市長蘇利文(Joseph C. Sullivan)(右二)參觀
天恩至德聖道院小朋友上課學中文情況。(周菊子攝)
            由於在申請擴建前,賢慧佛院每週聚會時,已經得向鄰近的羅斯(Ross)小學借場地,包括碧樹市市長蘇利文在,有許多人擔心該院擴建,將對地方安寧造成影響。有關道場擴建工程的公聽會,當時在大半年就開了兩次, 問答和舒解鄰居的關注。
        在其後的溝通過程中,碧樹市(Braintree)市長蘇利文(Joseph C. Sullivan)透過賢慧佛院講師,賢慧佛院董事長劉承熹的居間聯繫解釋與翻譯,對點傳師蔡玉滿,以及賢慧佛院有了進一步了解,與民眾一樣, 態度轉為支持,不但在賢慧佛院擴建安座時出席盛典,還允諾每年探望。
賢慧佛院中的禮佛堂。(周菊子攝)
點傳師蔡玉滿親自開示“天地君親師”五恩。(周菊子攝)
            日前,蘇利文實踐諾言的再訪賢慧佛院,在劉承熹等人的陪同下,視察佛院,參觀佛院為小朋友開設的中文班,現學現賣的用國語向小朋友“你好,謝謝“,還和逾百名穿著深藍色制服的道親一起, 聆聽蔡玉滿點傳師親自開示“天地君親師”這五恩,品了該院道親特製的齋宴。
            根據賢慧佛院擴建安座紀念特刊,蔡玉滿在2012年時已屆76,她是受光緒廿七年誕生於河北寧河的韓恩榮,和民國廿九年發願到台灣開荒的祁玉墉感召,下在台灣的道務工作,來到美國昆士市推廣道務。儘管她當年一句英語也不會,經許多人幫助,卻在美國推廣建成五大天恩道場。包括北加州沙加緬度,南加州洛杉磯,麻州波士頓,加拿大多倫多,溫哥華等地,都有點傳師持道場。

            詢該院詳情,可上網http://www.tiananntemple.org。賢慧佛院的地址為 49 Hayward Street, Braintree MA 02184.  聯絡電話: (781) 848-8999。

亞太裔傳統月美華裔社團以先賢在美卓越貢獻為榮


每年五月是美國的亞太裔文化傳統月,美國華人公共外交促進會、全美中華青年聯合會、南加州華人華僑聯合會等在機構在洛杉磯舉辦活動,緬懷華裔先賢在美國社會中的發展歷史,並以華裔先賢在美國歷史上做出的重要貢獻深以為榮,並聯合倡議樹立新型華人形象,成為美國社會中受人尊敬的亞太裔族群之一。
華裔社團籍橫貫美國大陸的鐵路完工145週年,而在其中承擔了大部分艱苦繁重的中國勞工進入美國勞工部名人堂為主題,緬懷華裔先賢們所付出的艱辛和所做出的巨大貢獻。
全美中華青年聯合會理事長朱冰峰,美國南加州華人華僑聯合會詹瑞娥介紹了在排華法案實施期間,美國西部最嚴重的懷俄明中甘霖縣(Sweetwater)石泉鎮(Rock Spring)的煤礦排華事件,1885年9月2日在當地煤礦發生了一起針對華人的暴亂,暴亂中有近30名華人被害、住房被焚。儘管聯邦政府派軍隊恢復秩序,安排華工返回煤礦工作。但是,暴徒沒有受到懲處。而且當時大多數媒體發布縱容排華輿論,以致當地社會對華人和亞裔移民的歧視達數十年之久。
美國華人公共外交促進會會長任向東表示,從1868年7月《中美天津條約續增條約》(又稱《蒲安臣條約》)簽訂後華裔先賢踏足美國的歷史來看,華裔先賢一直是處在美國社會中較為艱困的環境中,從飄洋過海開始、到入境、到生存,其間經歷的痛苦比比皆是。但先賢們在如此環境下的努力和奮鬥精神,則令社會和華裔後輩們感到驕傲和自豪。
如何傳承華裔先賢們艱苦創業、奮發向上的精神,團結互助的傳統和美德?華裔應該在美國社會是一個什麼樣的形象?如何在傳承中華文化的同時塑造華裔新形像等?都應是新一代華裔共同努力和探討的方向。
華夏婦女聯合會會長陸來冰、北美海峽兩岸文化交流協會黃志翔、白冬梅,美華國際青年商會殷雷等認為,華裔先賢們的不懈努力,為華裔在美國社會現在的發展奠定了堅實的基礎。在融入主流社會的同時,始終要保有自己的族裔文化,並將傳統文化的精髓讓華裔新生代了解和為之自豪,這也是華裔在慶祝亞太裔傳統月時的重要任務之一。 (AACYF洛杉磯訊)

全美中華青年聯合會

星期二, 5月 27, 2014

2014年臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座預定行程表

2014年臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座預定行程表

5/29         廚藝教學課程
時間:9:30AM~5:00PM
地點:安良工商會
20 Hudson St. 4F, Boston, MA 02111

始業式和記者會:11:30AM
地點:龍鳳餐廳三樓
8 Tyler St., Boston, MA 02111

5/30         廚藝教學課程
時間:9:30AM~5:00PM
地點:安良工商會
20 Hudson St. 4F, Boston, MA 02111

5/31         廚藝教學
時間:9:30AM~5:00PM
地點:安良工商會
20 Hudson St. 4F, Boston, MA 02111

6/1           廚藝教學成果展及晚宴
時間:6:30AM
地點:龍鳳餐廳三樓
8 Tyler St., Boston, MA 02111
餐票:採賣票式 (價錢未定)

6/2           白天老師們在Shojo Asian Bar & Bistro
                 與 The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts  (餐飲學校) 做餐飲交流
                 晚上一起合作對外的餐宴(採賣票式價錢未定)

時間:6:30 PM

地點:Shojo Asian Bar & Bistro

9 Tyler St., Boston, MA 02111
餐票:採賣票式 (價錢未定)

Patrick Administration Expands Energy Improvements Eligible for Residential Loan Program


Patrick Administration Expands Energy Improvements Eligible for Residential Loan Program
BOSTON – Tuesday, May 27, 2014 – The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today announced it is providing funding to expand the highly successful Mass Save® HEAT Loan Program to encourage more residential energy efficient upgrades and high efficiency renewable heating installations. The Expanded HEAT Loan Program will provide funding for several types of improvements not currently eligible in the existing program.
“More homeowners, renters and landlords in Massachusetts will be able to take advantage of the savings possible through the Mass Save® programs by accessing zero percent loans for improvements that haven’t been covered before,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “This residential financing initiative is just the latest in the Patrick Administration’s successful work to make energy efficiency our ‘first fuel.’”
The existing HEAT Loan Program provides zero interest loans to homeowners for qualified energy efficient improvements in Massachusetts homes and rental properties. It is a partnership between local banks and credit unions and the Mass Save Sponsors, the state’s investor-owned gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers. The residential energy efficiency loan program is one of the largest in the nation, and aims to help credit-worthy households overcome the initial cost barrier to adopting energy efficiency upgrades.
The expansion will provide funding for improvements such as:
·         Asbestos abatement to install energy efficient heating system replacements
·         Wiring upgrades required by local and state codes to do attic and wall insulation
·         High efficiency wood pellet boilers
·         Increased loan amounts for landlord of 2-4 units are doubling from the current $25,000 cap to $50,000
The program’s $3.8 million expansion is funded through DOER by the U.S. Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Energy Program funds.

"The HEAT Loan Program is a tremendous incentive for customers to take the steps necessary to become more efficient," said Penni Conner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Northeast Utilities, parent company of NSTAR and WMECo. "With the enhancements to the program announced today by DOER, we're confident the number of folks taking action to reduce their energy use will continue to grow."

"Energy Efficiency is one of the most important resources for meeting the challenges of climate change, so it is fantastic to see Massachusetts continue to take a leadership role," said Edward White, vice president of Customer and Business Strategy, National Grid. “For more than 25 years, National Grid has offered innovative energy efficiency services, and we are proud to work hand-in-hand with the State to enable even more customers and communities to realize increased value from their energy use."

“Eastern Bank is pleased to participate in the Expanded HEAT Loan interest buy-down offerings funded by the DOER,” said Ken Dyment, Senior Vice President. “We’re confident that our customers will find the added features helpful in rounding out their energy upgrade projects.”

In 2013, Massachusetts HEAT Loan lenders issued more than $88 million in individual energy efficiency loans to more than 9,000 customers. Since the program was created in 2006, it has led to the financing of more than $320 million in energy efficiency loans, serving over 35,000 households.

The Patrick Administration’s aggressive initiatives have made Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named Massachusetts number one for three years running. The 2013-2015 Statewide Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plans are expected to deliver energy benefits of nearly $9 billion to residents, businesses, and state and local governments based on an investment of $2.25 billion.

The City of Boston and The U.S. Postal Service to Host Job Fairs in City Neighborhoods May 31

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The City of Boston and The U.S. Postal Service to Host Job Fairs in City Neighborhoods May 31
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Now hiring City Carrier Assistants to deliver mail throughout Boston

BOSTON – On Saturday, May 31, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Greater Boston District Manager John (Mike) Powers are to host five job fairs in Boston neighborhoods. Job fair attendees can apply and learn about the City Carriers Assistant (CCA) job openings at postal facilities throughout Boston. USPS human resources professionals and City of Boston employees will be on hand at the fair to answer questions and assist attendees with applications. 

"It is our responsibility to develop partnerships and educational opportunities to provide residents with the resources they need to find long-term employment and economic security," said Mayor Walsh. "The partnership we have forged with USPS is helping the City to make that a reality."

The job fairs will be held on Saturday, May 31st from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the following locations:

·  BCYF Leahy-Holloran Community Center,1 Worrell Street, Dorchester
·  BCYF Mildred Avenue, 5 Mildred Avenue, Mattapan
·  Honan-Allston Boston Public Library Branch, 300 N. Harvard Street, Allston
·  BCYF Paris Street Community Center, 112 Paris Street, East Boston
·  BCYF Roslindale Community Center, 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale

Additional sessions will be held as follows:

Monday, June 2nd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
·  BCYF Tobin Community Center, 1481 Tremont Street, Roxbury

Thursday, June 5th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
·  Roxbury Resource Center, 2201 Washington Street, Roxbury
·  South Boston Resource Center, 489 East Broadway, South Boston


"The U.S. Postal Service is one of our nation’s largest employers with a career workforce of 500,000 employees. Here in the Greater Boston Area we are looking to add 200 employees to our local work force," said Powers. "By teaming up with Mayor Walsh and his administration, we believe we can accomplish this goal."

The majority of USPS entry-level workers are hired through a competitive process which begins when a job application is submitted. CCAs are appointed for a term of 360 calendar days and may be reappointed for another 360-day term after a five day break in service. The positions entail all the duties normally performed by a city letter carrier and may lead to a long-term career position. Salary and limited benefits include $15.30 an hour, paid vacation days, and eligibility for health care benefits. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, exemplary driving record, and two years of driving experience. 

Individuals are also welcome to apply online: www.usps.com/employment. Online applicants will be required to create a profile and fill out an employment application. Once completed, search for the CCA openings in the Boston by:

·  Clicking the "search jobs online" link;
·  Clicking "search criteria for employment opportunities," choose "Massachusetts" and then click "start;" and 
·  Clicking on the position opening of interest and "apply."

If contacted for further consideration, candidates will be required to pass all pre-employment suitability factors including, but not limited to: employment history background check; military history; criminal conviction history; drug screening, personal interview and if selected, medical suitability. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident alien, or a citizen of a territory owing allegiance to the United States. 


The USPS receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

陳裕逢連任客家會長 周一男,周健夫兩博士副會長

紐英崙客家鄉親會的周健夫(左起),陳裕逢,周一男當選為
新屆副會長,會長後,一一致詞。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州屋本市報導)紐英崙客家鄉親會廿五日晚包下屋本市華漾小館,舉行會員大會,在佳餚,美酒,好歌中,以高票選出陳裕逢連任會長,兩名德高望重教授,周一男,周健夫擔任副會長。
紐英崙客家鄉親會的理事們合影。(周菊子攝)
            紐英崙客家鄉親會是個歷經歐宏偉、葛家榮、簡許邦、黃正杰等前後共四任波士頓僑教中心主任催生,才於2010年成立的僑團組織,從成立迄今,每次辦活動,會場氣氛都熱絡非常的讓每名到會者情緒高昂。
            廿五日晚是該會一年一度的會員大會,由22名理事以每人三票方式,投票改選會長,副會長。
            雖非客家人,但與客家鄉親會關係密切的蔡高進一家三口,當晚應邀唱票,還拿出大紙板,一票一劃地記錄。
紐英崙客家鄉親會的嘉賓們,右起,郭大文,陳永茂,林展輝,
陳裕逢,周健夫,周一男,蔡坤喜,陳家驊,馬滌凡,方本仁,
王本仁等人合影。(
周菊子攝)
            開票結果,陳裕逢以十一票的最高票,當選連任。得十票的周一男,得八票的周健夫,當選為副會長。這一選舉結果,也使得紐英崙客家鄉親會的掌門人,從創會時的全女班過渡到全男班。
            退休前分別在波士頓大學執教的海豐客家人周一男,在麻省理工林肯實驗室做高端研究的新竹客家人周健夫這兩名博士,對鄉親們的厚愛,都感卻之不恭,致就任詞時,抱著歡喜心表示,很高興有機會為鄉親服務。
 開票時,右起,曾建斗,陳裕逢,華歌兒,鄭玉春(左一)
等人,關注選情。
周菊子攝)
        當晚應邀出席的嘉賓,包括駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊,波士頓僑教中心主任郭大文,波士頓僑務委員陳家驊,馬滌凡,曾任新英格蘭台灣商會會長的王本仁,方本仁,蔡坤喜,現任會長許炳煌,台灣同鄉聯誼會前任會長陳永茂,以及台灣同鄉聯誼會的現任會長,也是華漾小館東主的林展輝。
            嘉賓致詞時,本身是客家人的經文處副處長陳銘俊秀他客家話流利,致詞全文用客家話,讓台下聽不懂的人,紛紛向左鄰右舍的同桌人討教,感嘆得學客家話來趕潮流。僑教中心主任郭大文則在稱讚客家鄉親會促使僑社水乳交融上的努力,感謝該會給僑教中心的幫助之餘,可惜會說客家話的太太這兩天已返台,沒人幫他代言。
當選連任的陳裕逢昨日表示,紐英崙客家鄉親會現在約有登記會員六十餘人,每年舉辦天穿日,支援牛頓台灣日,會員大會,夏季烤肉等活動,此外每週三下午一點半到四點,在僑教中心開客家舞蹈班。今年七月將試辦客語班,台語班。
他稱讚客家鄉親的好客,勤奮,團結,在紐英崙客家鄉親們的身上展現無餘,每次活動,都在鄉親們同心合力下辦得熱熱鬧鬧,讓他心存感激,尤其是他太太余媚鳳,幕後包辦許多服務工作,卻從無怨言。
            客家鄉親會任期包括20142015年的理事包括,林上田,曾政明,林岱,劉順雄,周一男,邱雪玲,王豫靈,林展輝,曾泰明,曾淑枝,張桂英,曾建斗,蔡宏庚,邱西薔,曾秀梅,劉秀春,高小松,韓英,陳裕逢,蘇來富,徐世寬,周健夫等人。