麻省理工學院2015創新創業大賽 "偵查治療“奪冠

麻省理工學院中國創新創業論壇（MIT-CHIEF）本年度的商業企劃比賽，從200多項報名團隊中脫穎而出的8隊，最後由“偵查治療（Recon Therapeutics）”奪得第一名及一萬元獎金。

MIT-CHIEF副主席馬楚表示，該一比賽宗旨在幫助創業團隊從中美兩國獲得更多資源，沉浸入中美兩國市場環境，並為他們和地方上的資金，業界專長，法律服務，市場行銷，企業模式等資源搭上線。

在200多個報名創業團隊中，醫療護理類佔23%，先進材料及能源類佔8%，網路，資訊科技，移動類佔17%，產品、服務類佔36%，智慧硬件/機器人類佔7%，社交影響類佔9%。

參與創業比賽第一階段的評審，不下廿多人，11月21日的現場決賽，包括應邀為MIT-CHIEF做會議演講嘉賓的海泉基金創辦人胡海泉，豐瑞資本創始人李豐，真格基金鄭朝予，賽諾飛/健贊研發中心蔣一得，麻省理工學院工業關係聯絡辦公室項目經理趙曉宏，天使前期（PreAngel）的伍查克（Chuck Ng），中國科學及商家投資管理的李登（譯音）等，共有15名評審。

打入決賽的這八隊，幾乎都在多項其他比賽中得過獎。第一名是醫療護理類的“偵查治療（Recon Therapeutics）”，兩隊第二名分別為醫療護理類的“血小板之光（platelet light）”，先進材料能源類的“過氧系統（Peroxygen system）“。五隊第三名為社會影響類的”蛋糕，我的離世策略（Cake (My Exit Strategy)“，網路資訊科技移動類的”雲端聯絡簿：布拉（Cloud Contact “Bula””)，智慧硬件機器人類的變形實驗室（Morph Lab）及嗚哺（Woobo），產品及服務類的“快力（QuikForce）”。

“偵查治療（Recon Therapeutics）”是為簡化個人注射需求而設計，可讓注射生物製劑不再需要冷凍，或訓練使用者，可完全整合並客製化，名為Lyokit的產品，已有雛形，由李想等人創辦，之前贏得過2014年MIT全球構想挑戰，2015年麻州挑戰決賽，被TEDMED形容為50名值得關注的全球新興創業之一。

嗚哺（Woobo）是由曾任MIT-CHIEF共同主席的譚豐等人創辦，針對在美國就有1200萬人的5 到7歲兒童所設計，俱伴侶作用，又可幫助兒童學習機器人寵物。

智慧硬件機器人類的變形實驗室（Morph Lab）是打入決賽隊伍中，唯一全由非華人組成的隊伍。該隊執行長Hasier Larrea以幻燈片展示他們設計的變形傢俱，可容許同一空間滿足各種不同需求時，在會場中引發最多驚嘆聲。

這八隊共獲得21,000元獎金，其中第一名獎金一萬元，第二名兩隊，各3000元，第三名5隊，各1000元。

圖片說明：

            胡海泉（左一），李豐（右一）頒發一萬元獎金給比賽冠軍隊，李想（左四）等人的“偵查治療（Recon Therapeutics）“。（菊子攝）

        參賽隊伍中唯一全無東方面孔的“變形實驗室（MorphLab）“隊，博得最多掌聲，卻只是五隊第三名之一，執行長Hasier Larrea（左一）明顯覺得有點委屈。（菊子攝）

MIT-CHIEF的共同主席，幾乎都參加過自己機構舉辦的創業計畫書賽。譚豐（左）也是前任共同主席。（菊子攝）

甩開驚恐 麻州點燈搶迎假日

還有四天是感恩節，再過一個月是聖誕節，剛遭遇軍火庫彈藥被盜，哈佛大學驚傳炸彈等驚恐的麻州，等不及的要換心情， 11月21日晚在芬紐廳（Faneuil Hall）廣場舉行亮燈儀式，邀來麻州州長宣佈假日季節開始啦。

            這是“Blink （眨眼）”的前衛燈光音響大匯演第四度來到美國第一個公開市場-芬紐廳廣場，從11月22日開始，每七分鐘一次的在假日流行樂音樂聲中，用350,000個LED燈泡，點亮波士頓天際。

             21日晚的啟動儀式，由WBZ第四號電視台現場直播，WSBK電視台轉播。麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）夫婦也應邀出席，向民眾獻上假日祝福。

            在藍人集團（Blue Man Group）出場點燈後，查理貝克趁著WBZ電台主持人在台前說話時，站在後面拿出自己的手機，悄悄地和藍人合照。

            這場點燈儀式，是麻州各地在今年這假日季節中的第一個點燈儀式。據說這是東北部最大的亮燈儀式，甚至比洛克斐勒中心的點燈儀式規模都大，去年有30,000人參加了開幕式，整個假日季節，約共20萬人欣賞了燈飾表演。

在假日季節中，芬紐廳市場將舉辦一系列的戶外活動，來製造氣氛，包括百老匯表演，流行樂隊演奏，假日聖誕頌歌演唱，舞蹈表演，搖鈴及本地音樂家表演等。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）20日時和加拿大新斯科社省首長Stephen McNeil一起宣布，將於12月3日晚6到8點，在波士頓廣場舉行第74屆正式的波士頓市聖誕樹點燈儀式。

馬丁華殊表示，自從1917年12月6日波士頓人馳援海利法克斯（Halifax），協助救火後，這是第44年新斯科舎省送聖誕樹給波士頓市，做為感謝波士頓幫助的禮物，波士頓市的點燈儀式，已成微象徵兩地人民友誼的傳統。

今年的這棵樹，是49呎高的雲杉，由新斯科舎省Pictou郡Lorne的Andrea 及William MacEachern夫婦贈送。新斯科舎省還送出小些的聖誕樹給松街客棧（Pine Street Inn），羅絲的家（Rosie's Place）等流民收容所。

圖片說明：

            麻州州長查理貝克（中立者）和出席點燈儀式的小朋友們擊掌致意。（菊子攝）

            麻州州長查理貝克（中右鼓掌者）為點燈鼓掌。（菊子攝）

            主辦單位不但準備了一大顆聖誕樹，還派發紅聖誕帽給圍在舞台最前端的民眾，製造出非常濃厚的假日氣氛。（菊子攝）

關穎珊12/7訪波士頓支持希拉蕊 （Hillary Clinton）

From Leverett Wing and Christina Chan:

We are thrilled to announce that Michelle Kwan - 5-time World Figure Skating Champion and 2-time Olympic medalist - will be in Boston on Monday, Dec. 7th (China Pearl Restaurant: 5:15pm-7:15pm) to help raise funds to support "Hillary for America" - Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign.

Michelle is currently a lead-staff person, organizer & surrogate for the Clinton Campaign, having most recently received her Masters Degree from Tufts University and served as an envoy for the U.S. State Department... She's joined the Clinton campaign because she realizes that we need a strong, compassionate, proven leader like Hillary - who has a long track record of supporting our community.

Please join us in welcoming Michelle to Boston on Dec. 7th, as we support "Hillary for America".

~ Event details below (followed by sponsorship opportunities) ~

* When: Monday, December 7th

     - 5:15pm-6pm: Sponsor Reception (see below & attached for details)

     - 6:00pm-7:15pm: General Reception

* Where: China Pearl Restaurant - 9 Tyler St., Boston

* Questions & RSVPs: Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu - Michelle@MichelleforBoston.com  OR...  Leverett Wing - Leverett.Wing@Gmail.com

* General Admission Tickets (Unreserved Seating, General Reception): $50.00

      (Student and Senior Citizen Rates Available... limited quantity, please inquire)

* Purchase tickets: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/ticketed-events/conversation-kwan-dec-7/

~ SPONSORSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS (see below & attached) ~

** CHAIR: Donate $1,000 individually... OR Raise $2,700 (from self and/or others)

– 2 Seats: Private, Pre-Reception Dinner with Michelle Kwan

– Personal photo (with guest – or separately) with Michelle at Private Reception

– 2 Seats: Priority (front table), Reserved Seating at Main Reception
– 2 tickets: General Admission to future Boston event with Hillary Clinton

– "Lead/Header" placement on invitation and materials at event

– Public acknowledgement from podium at event reception

– Acknowledgement in Program Book, Event Signage, Invitation, Promotional materials & invitation listing

** HOST: Donate $500 individually... OR Raise $1,250 (from self and/or others)

– 1 Seat: Private, Pre-Reception Dinner with Michelle Kwan

– Individual, Personal photo (1 person) with Michelle Kwan at Private Reception

– 1 Seat: Priority (front table), Reserved Seating at Main Reception

– 1 ticket: General Admission to future Boston event with Hillary Clinton

– "Lead/Header" placement on invitation and materials

– Public acknowledgement from podium at reception

– Acknowledgement in Program Book, Event Signage, Invitations & Promotional materials & invitation listing

** SPONSOR: Donate $300 individually... OR Raise $750 (from self and/or others)

– 1 Seat: Reserved, General Seating at Main Reception

– 1 ticket: General Admission to future Boston event with Hillary Clinton

– "Lead/Header" placement on invitation and materials

– Public acknowledgement from podium at reception

– Acknowledgement in Program Book, Event Signage, Invitations & Promotional materials & invitation listing

** FRIEND: Donate $100 individually... OR Raise $250 (from self and/or others)

– 1 Seat: Reserved, General Seating at Main Reception

– "Lead/Header" placement on invitation and materials

– Public acknowledgement from podium at reception

– Acknowledgement in Program Book and Event Signage

MassDOT, MBTA and Massport Prepared for Thanksgiving Travelers

MassDOT, MBTA and Massport

Prepared for Thanksgiving Travelers

BOSTON -- The transportation agencies of Massachusetts, including Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the MBTA and Port Authority (Massport), today introduced plans to ease holiday travel frustration during the busy travel season.

The travel experts at AAA are predicting 300,000 additional holiday travelers this year, bringing the total close to 47 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving. This marks the seventh consecutive year of growth for Thanksgiving travel. The holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29. The association expects 41.9 million Americans will travel by car and that air travel will increase by 0.1 percent, with 3.6 million Americans flying, the most since 2007. More information can be found at www.newsroom.aaa.com. 

“I encourage safe and smart travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, through every mode of transportation,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “I encourage all of our customers to take advantage of real time information that is available to help them catch their train, plane or to avoid any congestion along the highways.”

Travelers are urged to use the multiple options for public transportation this holiday season. The MBTA is adding additional service to the Silver Line for customers headed to the airport during Thanksgiving holiday week. At Logan and nationwide, TSA security checkpoints will be fully staffed as they remain committed to processing passengers as efficiently as possible, while maintaining screening effectiveness.

“To ensure prompt and convenient service to and from Logan Airport, the Silver Line will operate with additional service during peak travel periods,” said MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola.  “Also, we want to remind everyone at this time to check our website www.mbta.com for schedules throughout the week as well as upcoming scheduling changes being made in December for trains through North Station.”

Travel tips from the different agencies include:

·         However you’re traveling, by car, train or plane, allow extra time;

• When possible, use public transportation instead of driving;
• The MBTA subway system will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving, please checkwww.mbta.com for information about commuter rail schedules;

·         For those driving, AAA recommends you ensure your vehicle is properly maintained; you map your route in advance, and have roadside assistance contact info on hand;

• If parking at Logan, subscribe to get updates at www.massport.com/logan-airport/parking-information/;
• Go to www.tsa.gov for any questions about what you can take in your baggage. Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted, but may require further inspection;
• Public awareness is key for supporting TSA’s security efforts; therefore, TSA encourages travelers to remember, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

“We want to do everything we can to ease the travel experience for everyone traveling in and out of Boston Logan Airport,’’ said Massport Director of Aviation Ed Freni. “This is a busy time at Logan, and we are urging travelers to plan ahead to help make their traveling experience as easy as possible.’’

For travelers getting to and from Logan Airport:

• MBTA Silver Line provides service between South Station and Logan’s terminals every 10 minutes. Outbound service from Logan Airport to the South Boston Seaport District and South Station is FREE;
• MBTA Blue Line provides subway service between Boston and Airport Station;
• Water transportation is also available from Downtown Boston and the Logan dock;
• Logan Express serves 5 locations including Peabody, Framingham, Woburn, Braintree and Back Bay. Until 11/20, park for 4-14 days for only $22;
• There are also several bus and taxi options available.

“MassDOT anticipates a high volume of traffic on our highways and at Boston Logan International Airport this Thanksgiving holiday, with particularly heavy traffic volume on our highways Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday after the holiday,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin.  “We encourage all drivers to use caution along the roads and for people traveling on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, we urge you to leave either after 8 p.m. or early in the morning.”

For those driving:

• Along our highways in years past, the exits with the heaviest volume were on the Turnpike at Exit 9 at the interchange with I-84, Exit 11A for I-495, Exit 14 for I-95 and Route 128, and Exit 24 for I-93 North and South;
• Plymouth Rock Assurance will sponsor tolls once again this year on the day before Thanksgiving and will sponsor Tolls at Plaza 19 east and westbound (Allston / Brighton) Wednesday November 25^th from 7 AM to 8 AM.  Motorists traveling late on Thanksgiving night can advantage of FREE coffee at all 18 of Service Plazas from Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 26^th from 10 PM to Friday November 29^th at 5 AM;
• To assist motorists, additional emergency service personnel will be on patrol to quickly respond to accidents or disabled vehicles. Motorists can also expect real time traffic information boards to be deployed on both sides of the Pike to provide drivers with information about travel delays and backups.

MAYOR WALSH CHALLENGES SHOPPERS TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

MAYOR WALSH CHALLENGES SHOPPERS TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Launches Small Business Initiatives to Encourage Shoppers to Shop, Eat, and Play in Boston's Main Street Districts

BOSTON - Saturday, November 21, 2015 -  Mayor Martin J. Walsh today kicked off the City of Boston's annual "Holidays on Main Streets" campaign, a small business initiative to encourage Boston residents to shop local this holiday season. At the celebration held at POP Allston in the Allston Village Main Street District, Mayor Walsh announced a series of initiatives to drive traffic to local business districts, including the Mayor's "5 on Main" challenge, the return of the popular Acoustic on Main for the holiday season, and a plan for shoppers to enjoy two free hours of metered parking using the new ParkBoston app on any day of their choice from Friday, November 27 through Saturday, January 2. "I'm challenging every holiday shopper to enjoy what our Main Street Districts have to offer this holiday season by participating in the '5 on Main' challenge," said Mayor Walsh. "Our Main Street districts are an important part of our local economy. Out of every dollar spent in a local business district, 58 cents will be returned to that community, fueling our local economies and contributing to more vibrant neighborhoods." Mayor Walsh's "#5onMain" challenge is designed to inspire holiday shoppers to support Main Streets and other local commercial districts during the holiday season.  Participants in the challenge pledge to support local businesses at least five times during the holiday season, either purchasing gifts, dining, or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts.  Holiday shoppers are encouraged to accept the challenge via social media, using the hashtag "#5onMain". The Mayor also invited musicians, businesses, and the public to participate once again in the popular Acoustic on Main program during the holiday season in Boston's Main Streets Districts. Starting on Small Business Saturday, November 28, 2015, Main Streets businesses are encouraged to host local acoustic performances during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, with up to five musicians or vocalists performing at the same time.  The City is supporting this effort by waiving the need for to apply for a live entertainment license or to pay a fee to the City to hold these performances. This holiday season, the City of Boston is offering residents and visitors the opportunity to park for free for two hours at all 8,000 metered parking spaces on the day of their choice from Friday, November 27th through the end of the day on Saturday, January 2nd.  The  ParkBoston app must be used and code 617617 should be entered to take advantage of this offer.  The free ParkBoston app is available through the App Store or Google Play for iPhone and Android users, and a pay-by-voice option is offered for those without web-enabled phones.  Each ParkBoston account will be allowed to use this special code once.  ParkBoston users are encouraged to share this information with family and friends so that as many people as possible can visit their favorite restaurant, shop or theater in the City of Boston over the holidays. The announcement took place at Oliver Best Vintage Market, a weekly multi-vendor market, which is located at POP Allston, a temporary pop-up community space at 89 Brighton Avenue in the Allston Village Main Street District. POP Allston contains a 10,000-square foot free indoor skatepark, pop-up do-it-yourself bicycle repair workshops, and nearly 5,000 square feet of flexible space for additional community uses. POP Allston was created through a collaboration of Allston Village Main Streets, Commonwheels Bicycle Co-Op, Orchard Skateshop, Vivant Vintage, the City of Boston and the building owner, Eden Properties. Recent data from Deloitte University Press' 30th Annual Holiday Survey indicates that there will be an increase in consumer holiday spending, with average holiday spending projected at $1,462 in 2015, up from $1,299 in 2014.  The survey shows that, although consumers are moving to shopping online, they still prefer to buy locally and in-store to support their local community and economy, find one-of-a-kind gifts, and enjoy the convenience of shopping in their neighborhoods.  According to the Small Business Association, nearly half of the working adults in Massachusetts are employed by a small business. To participate in the Mayor's Holiday Challenge on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, please use the hashtag #5onMain.  In order to help shoppers participate in the Challenge, a list of local Main Streets holiday events will be available at www.holidaysonmainstreets.com. City staff will be monitoring the #5onMain hashtag through the holiday season and retweeting clever and original gift ideas. Draft Tweets for holiday shoppers are available athttp://bit.ly/5onMain_2015Tweets, and a package of shareable graphics can be found at http://bit.ly/2015Shareables. Businesses and musicians who wish to participate in Acoustic On Main for the Holidays can register at the Acoustic on Main website.  While businesses and musicians will make decisions regarding compensation for performers, the City of Boston encourages small businesses to support local musicians.  Acoustic on Main is made by possible by a partnership between Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the City of Boston's Office of Business Development, and the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing. For a list of Main Streets districts, please visit: http://dnd.cityofboston.gov/#page/Districts For more about Main Streets, please visit: http://dnd.cityofboston.gov/#page/about_main_streets

紐英崙中華公所40人代表團拜會馬英九

應僑委會邀請，紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦（前左五）夫婦率領將近40人的代表團，十一月中訪問台灣，不但到台北，台南等多地參觀，還上總統府，拜會了馬英九總統，重敘七月在波士頓的相見情。

代表團回波士頓後，中華公所將於11月24日舉行本年度最後一次董事大會，正式宣布職員改選的兩組候選人。（圖由謝中之提供）