梅錫銳接任波士頓僑務委員

波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文十七日晚在新英格蘭台灣商會尾牙活動中宣佈，龍鳳酒樓東主梅錫銳獲選為波士頓新任僑務委員，任期三年。

2015年一月一日，在駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處和波士頓華僑文教中心合辦的元旦升旗典禮活動中，司儀殷尚堅透露，陳家驊的波士頓僑務委員一職，任期屆滿，即起卸任。

據悉，大波士頓地區有提名份量者，早前向經文處、僑委會遞交了不下五名建議人選。十六日時，1926年成立，在北美洲設有十五個華僑文教中心的僑委會，公佈了各地新僑務委員名單。波士頓地區的人選，才於十七日晚在一百多人面前正式揭曉。

一名熟悉僑委會運作者指出，自從波士頓的僑務委員人數由三人減為兩人後，就有一人從郊區僑界挑選，一人從華埠挑選的慣例。當初接在方本仁之後上任的陳家驊來自香港，平日和廣東傳統僑社互動較多，梅錫銳的接任，傳承了代表傳統僑社的需要。

已是第二任，預定今年七，八月任期屆滿的另一名波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡，人脈極廣，儘管主責和郊區僑胞互動，波士頓華埠僑胞她也幾乎全都十分熟悉。

梅錫銳來自中國廣東台山，娶了台灣媳婦，定居波士頓已逾四十年，與弟弟梅偉民等人創辦了迄今仍存在，但他本人已少參與的馬仕威樂隊。他現在是龍鳳集團東主，也是全美梅氏公所元老，全美安良工商會元老，華僑協會波士頓分會會長。去年，他還與緬因州東方紅餐廳東主李日騰等人，應邀擔任全美中餐業聯盟的副主席。他的一子，一女，梅沛傑，梅佩凡，都已加入龍鳳集團工作，不但同時是波士頓華埠社區議會議員，還分別在中華廣教學校，華美福利會，波士頓華商會組織擔任董事或會長。

在梅錫銳搓合下，龍鳳集團、波士頓安良工商會和波士頓華僑文教中心合作舉辦美食廚藝班，已有多年。

梅錫銳表示，他對飲食業一向興趣濃厚，接任波士頓僑務委員後，也希望從飲食業角度出發，藉鼓勵人們欣賞，認識，品嚐，甚至烹調美食，來促進僑社大眾的溝通，團結。

  

圖片說明：

            波士頓僑務委員陳家驊（左）卸任後，棒子交到梅錫銳（右）手中。（菊子攝）

波士頓華埠獅子會年終慈善籌款

波士頓華埠獅子會十六日晚在龍鳳酒樓舉辦週年慈善餐舞會，以即席揮毫，功夫示範，舞蹈表演，樂器演奏，財神出馬等節目，和將近一百五十名獅友，賓客同歡，向西方賓客介紹了中華文化。

            波士頓華埠獅子會現任會長伍國光，副會長謝如鍵，丁慧明，余麗媖等人，當晚分頭招呼賓客，請獅子會區長（district governor）卡莉琪（Pat Kalicki），創辦波士頓華埠獅子會的司徒彥鏗分別致詞。地區主席李源沛介紹到會嘉賓。蔡倩婷領唱美國國歌。

            曾任獅子會長，現為紐英崙中華公所主席的阮鴻燦，和已加入該會，在見聞旅行社任職的陳國航當晚搭擋做司儀。

            表演節目包括中華廣教學校的鼓樂隊擊鼓，少林功夫中心的小學員林柏高示範耍棍，打拳的少林功夫，符玉釗所創辦的符克華樂派員演奏古箏“採蘑菇的小姑娘”，“茉莉花”。

            會長伍國光的父親，本地書法家伍育俊特地到會擺攤，即席揮毫，應賓客要求寫春聯，送上好意頭的新年祝福。

            會中還表揚了中華廣教學校代表波士頓華埠參加獅子會演講比賽，海報比賽的得獎者，郭君成，朱漢娜（均為譯音）。

            為了增加新年喜氣，波士頓華埠獅子會當晚還在抽獎環節中，請出財神爺來給大家帶好運。其中的現金獎包括李源沛和卡利琪各捐出的二百五十元，司徒彥鏗捐的五百元，伍國光捐的一千元。由於金額不小，會場氣氛被帶動得非常熱絡。

            當晚一張十元的抽獎彩券，也賣出五百多張。

            波士頓華埠獅子會每月第一個星期一的晚上七點，在愛丁保羅街19號上的新月宮酒家開會。查詢可發電郵。   

圖片說明：

            波士頓華埠獅子會成員合影。（菊子攝）

            波士頓華埠獅子會會長伍國光（左），副會長謝如鍵（右二），前任會長陳寶萍（右一）歡迎區長卡莉琪（左二）。（菊子攝）

            伍育俊捧而子的場，到獅子會來擺攤。（菊子攝）

            右起，陳國航，阮鴻燦主持節目，林柏高示範功夫。（菊子攝）

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito Statements On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

 Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito Statements On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Boston – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito released the following statements in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

“Today, the Commonwealth celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Governor Baker.  “Dr. King dedicated his life to the fight for justice and equality for every citizen.  He fought tirelessly to ensure we all have the opportunity to succeed for our families and in our communities.  Together, it is an honor to commemorate his strength and conviction.  He left an indelible mark on our society and forever reminds us that adversity can be overcome to achieve greatness.  During a time when our nation often stands divided on too many fronts, we have the chance to honor Dr. King’s vision to stand united, and refocus our commitment to work toward peace and equality for all.”

“Dr. King dedicated his life to fight for equality and overcame insurmountable challenges to promote freedom and justice for every man, woman and child across the nation,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito.  “Today, we celebrate his labors and encourage the Commonwealth to find ways to honor his work through acts of service in our communities.”

Exploratory Process for Ballot Initiative Against Costly Boston-Hosted Olympics Underway

Exploratory Process for Ballot Initiative Against Costly Boston-Hosted Olympics Underway

Boston – Plans are underway to launch an exploratory process on a statewide ballot initiative regarding the proposed 2024 Olympics, Evan Falchuk, Chairman of the United Independent Party, announced today.

According to a January 12 poll of 1600 respondents conducted by Sage Consulting, 61% of Massachusetts’s residents oppose the Olympics if tax dollars are used to back the bid, with the majority of voters believing the Olympics will mean that other worthwhile priorities take a back seat.  

“That finding, combined with the utter lack of transparency and concrete details we’re all seeing so far, are of great concern,” Falchuk said. "Like so many people in Massachusetts, I’m a sports fan and enjoy the competition of the Olympic Games. Yet we cannot avoid the reality that the Olympics are a business, and one with a track record of massive cost overruns where taxpayers end up stuck with a huge bill.”

Falchuk cited the woeful financial history of the Olympic Games as among the reasons why this exploratory process is needed. According to one comprehensive study of Olympic Games costs from 1976 to 2012, he noted, the average cost overrun from cost estimates initially presented was more than 200%. The findings come from Dr. Will Jennings, a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science’s Centre for Analysis of Risk and Regulation.

"The Olympic bid represents the most important public policy decision facing the people of the Commonwealth in 2015 and beyond. Based on everything we have seen so far, one thing is certain: the public ought to have a right to vote on this,” Falchuk said. “As taxpayers and residents who will be directly affected, we all have a right to have our voices heard and heeded, and in the current circumstances, a ballot initiative may be the only way for that to happen."

The United Independent Party, officially created on Election Day 2014 as a major party in Massachusetts, continues to collect signatures for its “No Boston Olympics” petition drive from residents throughout the state who want their voices heard.

“In the years this quiet plan has been pushed by what one newspaper called a ‘Power Elite,’ taxpayers were not once asked if they want these games in Massachusetts – and certainly not whether they want the Olympics more than priorities like addressing underfunded services for seniors, veterans and kids in school," according to Falchuk.  "At a time when we face a half-billion dollar budget gap, it would be a diversion of the public interest to use taxpayer money in this way. We plan to review closely the information released by Boston 2024 in the coming days and weeks, and will freely share what we find and our next steps." 

A DAY OF SERVICE AND CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

A DAY OF SERVICE AND CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. 

BOSTON – January 17, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with the Museum of African American History and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO), present “A Day of Service and Celebration in Honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” The event will take place on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 1 p.m. in historic Faneuil Hall.  

“The City of Boston has the great privilege of working with the Museum of African History and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras for its 6th annual Day of Service and Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Mayor Walsh. “Dr. King’s message of justice and peace is just as relevant today as it was during the Civil Rights Movement. I invite all Bostonians to join us in this celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

The program will feature a keynote speech by Boston’s Poet Laureate, Danielle Legros Georges, spoken word tributes to Dr. King, and a moving selection of classical music, spirituals, and freedom songs performed by the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Intensive Community Program, conducted by Marta  Żurad. A distinguished group of community leaders will read from some of Dr. King's most memorable writings and speeches. Speakers include Eric Jackson, Host of 89.7 WGBH’s Eric in the Evening; Julie Burros, Chief of Arts + Culture for the City of Boston; and Alisa Magnus, Alumna of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras Intensive Community Program. 

In keeping with the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy, the Mayor’s Office and Boston Cares will be holding a service event at Madison Park High School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Hundreds of volunteers will have the opportunity to choose from various community service projects, including assembling toddler beds, making fleece blankets, making flash cards, lap desks, and other items. 

A Day of Service and Celebration is presented by TARGET and produced by the Mayor’s Office of Arts + Culture.  Events are free and open to the general public.  For further information visit  www.cityofboston.gov/arts.

波士頓亞裔房東會和小地產業主會合作

波士頓亞裔房東協會（BALA）走進2015年，跨出一大步，和小地產業主協會（Small Property Owners Association）合作，將互通資源，擴大影響力。

            波士頓亞裔房東會是中城地產潘樹仁於於2010年創辦，旨在協助房東因應各種法律規定，房客糾紛，物業維修，稅務安排，經營管理等問題的一個組織，在美洲銀行創辦人之一劉伯岳，熱心房東Gloria，蔚海等多人積極參與下，不但做成一個十二人小組的成功投資案，每月例會都有不盡相同的幾十人參加。

            在波士頓經營房地產有成的華裔發展商，Cosmo土地開發公司負責人關定安，也曾抱著回饋社區的心情，出席分享做人及投資經驗。

            今年，位於劍橋市，電郵聯繫名單有房東不下一千名的小地產業主協會，和波士頓亞裔房東協會搭上線，一月中兩會攜手舉辦了今年的第一次會議。

            小地產業主協會執行主任Skip Schloming表示，他們這個房東會，以往的主要功能是集結團體力量，在法律面前為小業主說話，爭取麻州議會通過對小業主有利法案，1995年時，該會終於促成麻州議會通過法案，廢除租金控制條例，劍橋市的房屋總值也因此在2004年時跳升十八億元。他們也曾經在鉛毒安全法案方面下過功夫，他希望亞裔房東們能加入他們的電郵名單，以期需要動員房東支持，制止議會通過對房東不利的法案時，能有更多人手。

            位於屋斯特(Worcester)，去年二月才成立的麻州房東網(MassLandlords.net) 創辦人兼執行長Doug Quattrochi當天在會中表示，整個麻州約有七萬名房東，廿個房東組織，其中有三個已加入麻州房東網，由他為房東協會及房東們提供做房東所需的各項事務，包括租約，逼遷通知，消費者保護，勞務施工標準，如何遵循法律規定等等。

            波士頓亞裔房東會當天的講座，安排了麻州勞工標準局的調查和執法長（Chief Inspector)黃啟芳（Brian Wong）講解“樓房裝修和鉛漆法規須知（Repair and Painting Rule）”。

            有25年經驗的黃啟芳指出，儘管聯邦政府環保局對類似工程訂有規矩，條例，但麻州有自己的另一套，在麻州做房東，就必須遵循麻州的規定，有意自己施工的房東，必須申請上八個小時的豁免牌照課，要不然就得聘請持有牌照者處理裝修或油漆等工作。

            波士頓亞裔房東會創辦人在擴展服務下，去年起還開始在每次房東會月會舉行前的下午，在同一地點辦“財富知識與房產講座”。日前的這場，由潘樹仁講房產，時間與金錢，馬天講退休計畫和投資計畫須知。

圖片說明：

            波士頓亞裔房東協會（BALA）創辦人潘樹仁（左二）和小地產業主協會執行主任Skip Schloming（左起），會長Lenore Monello Schloming，以及麻州房東網(MassLandlords.net) 創辦人兼執行長Doug Quattrochi（右一）。（菊子攝）

            麻州勞工標準局的調查和執法長（Chief Inspector)黃啟芳（Brian Wong）（右）講解規定要點，回答問題。左起為劉伯岳，Skip Schloming。（菊子攝）

            當晚又有幾十人出席。（菊子攝）

劍橋合唱團春季練唱一月廿三日開始

劍橋合唱團即日起，每週五晚八到十點，在MIT的4-257和4-270做春季練唱，歡迎愛唱歌者加入，為五月的春季公演做準備。

劍橋合唱團團長陳立英表示，該團已有22年歷史，由一群喜愛合唱學生，已就業者組成，主要演唱中文歌曲，也時常表演台語，客語，英語歌曲，原住民曲目，不少大波士頓地區聽眾肯定該團的表現。他們預定5月舉行今年的春季公演。

劍橋合唱團的一系列練唱日期為一月廿三日，一月三十日(4-257)，以及二月六日（4-270)。有意試音者，宜準備一首自選曲，和該會聯絡預約試音時間。

查詢可發電郵 cccs-officers@mit.edu ，或 打電話217-766-3035。