星期五, 11月 25, 2016

生技及精密機械僑商企業家應僑委會邀約訪台灣

僑務委員會舉辦2016年五大創新產業-生技及精密機械僑商企業家
邀訪團,委員長吳新興(第一排中)與團員及參與創新產業商洽會
的企業代表合影。
 僑委會為推動新南向政策,並協助臺灣生技醫療及智慧機械等國內創新產業發展,促進與國內創新產業商機交流與技術合作,於1122日至1125日首次辦理「2016年五大創新產業-生技及精密機械僑商企業家邀訪團」,至截稿為止,初步已獲得總金額新臺幣32千萬元的投資案及採購案。

該邀訪團計邀請海外8位具備投資實力的僑臺商參加。其中屬精密機械產業者5人,生技醫藥者3人,分別來自菲律賓、印尼、越南、馬來西亞、美國及紐西蘭等6國。

僑務委員會舉辦2016年五大創新產業-生技及精密機械僑商企業家
邀訪團,委員長吳新興(中)、行政院經貿談判辦公室鄧振中
政務委員(右)共同主持投資媒合會。
8家僑臺商企業在3天緊湊行程中,分別晉見副總統、拜會臺中市政府,並至經濟部招商投資服務中心瞭解投資環境及產業發展,同時也分別實地參訪國璽生技、程泰機械、旭東工業等3家國內績優企業,新竹生醫產業中心及與當地業者交流。本(25)日下午,由僑委會委員長吳新興偕同行政院經貿談判辦公室鄧政務委員振中親自主持投資媒合會,並邀請國內20家優質廠商進行雙向交流互動,協助僑臺商與國內產業對接,擴大海內外產業交流合作。

僑務委員會舉辦2016年五大創新產業-生技及精密機械僑商企業家
邀訪團,海外僑台商與國內業者面對面交流商機。
此一媒合活動提供海外僑臺商與國內業者面對面深度交流,瞭解彼此需求,採購與投資洽談均十分具體。比如來自菲律賓業者,對旭東公司雷射切割機、彎管機、裁切機有採購意願,金額約新臺幣3千萬元。另一位菲律賓業者有意購置旭東機械公司彎管設備2套約新臺幣620萬元,並規劃返臺投資長照產業,將投入醫療設備進出口和國內照護機構合作投資經營,新臺幣3200萬元。印尼業者有意新購置國璽公司之培育設備,金額約新臺幣2千萬3百萬元,另與友惠生技公司未來在生技產品有技術合作意願。印尼另一位業者有意購置長洋機械鋁輪摩托車鋁輪圈,約新臺幣3千萬元。馬來西亞業者已密切與國璽生技洽談投資中,預計投資新臺幣2億元。此次預計總投資金額已達新臺幣32千萬元,而後續談判金額仍在持續洽商中。

鑑於此活動中除獲得不少商機外,並能瞭解臺灣五大創新產業及新南向政策推動現況,掌握最新產業訊息及商業脈動,對國內外僑臺商事業發展皆有所助益,並將國內產業帶至國際,本會來年將繼續配合政府產業政策,針對各種不同類別創新產業辦理僑商企業家邀訪團,協助海內外產業有效對接,投資合作臺灣。(僑委會提供)

星期四, 11月 24, 2016

Chengdu City Music Hall wins World Architecture Festival Award

Chengdu City Music Hall wins World Architecture Festival Award  

Designed by Andrew Bromberg at Aedas, Chengdu City Music Hall in China is the winner of the Competition Entries - Future Projects category at World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2016. 


Located at the Wuhou district in Chengdu, China, the Chengdu City Music Hall complex balances cultural components within a dense urban environment disconnected from its traditional connection to nature. The traditional Chinese landscape paintings or shan shui paintings – ‘shan’ refers to mountain and ‘shui’ to river – are evolved from the surrounding Sichuan landscapes.  The use of positive and negative spaces in this art form portrays an interesting balance between the physical and the ephemeral. These relationships were explored in how to balance the ‘imagined’ creations of the performance venues and school of arts with the ‘tangibles’ of the buildings which contain them.

The physical line between the tangible and the ephemeral was celebrated as a stepped public series of connected terraces. Beneath these terraces are the varying volumes of venues below.  Above these terraces are topographic bamboo gardens which provide an impression of the surrounding mountains. These accessible terraces step from the tall dense urban fabric towards the west and down to the more human scale pedestrian district to the east.  The eastern edge is defined by an informal plaza which connects the project to the river and the arts district through the pedestrian ‘Music Avenue’. This design was a shortlisted competition entry.

WAF Awards is the largest global award programme and conference dedicated to sharing and celebrating the latest in architectural achievements.

慶祝感恩節 麻州長查理貝克,波市長馬丁華殊聯袂表善意

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)、波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh),麻州總檢察官奚莉(Maura Healey),麻州財政廳廳長高伯珂(Deborah Goldberg)等人11月23日聯袂到洛士百利(Roxbury)的摩根紀念善意中心(Morgan Memorial Goodwill Center),為250多人奉上感恩節大餐,還跳舞,帶動歡樂的節日氣氛。
摩根紀念善意中心是個為有發展障礙人士提供就業培訓與就業機會的機構。(圖片由麻州州長辦公室提供)
麻州州長查理貝克(左)和麻州眾議會議長狄樂歐(Robert DeLeo)。




麻州總檢察官奚莉,波士頓市長馬丁華殊。

星期三, 11月 23, 2016

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER MICHAEL DENNEHY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER MICHAEL DENNEHY
Dennehy Moves to New Position as the Town Administrator of Milton
BOSTON - Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that Public Works Commissioner Michael Dennehy will be leaving the City of Boston to become the Town Administrator of Milton. Dennehy is a twenty-year member of the Public Works Department. For the last three years, he has led this critical Department, which handles all residential recycling and trash collection as well as builds, lights and maintains the City's streets, sidewalks and bridges. Dennehy's last day will be on Friday, November 25.

"We owe great thanks to Michael for his incredible service to the City," said Mayor Walsh.  "He has exceptionally high standards for the services we deliver and has built a very strong team to meet those standards every day. Whether it was leading our City through our snowiest winter or ensuring that a 311 call was responded to quickly and well, Michael delivered for our residents. Milton is getting an excellent leader and a great public servant. We wish Michael the best."

Michael Dennehy joined the Public Works Department in 1996, working in the City's Highway Division. He helped lead the implementation of the City's first constituent relationship management system, assisted with the development of the BOS:311 app and inspired the creation of the companion app used by City employees called City Worker. He has served as the Public Works Commissioner since 2014.

"I have been truly blessed over the past two decades to work for the taxpayers of Boston. It has been my honor," said Dennehy. "I am equally thankful to have worked alongside the dedicated men and women of the Public Works Department who proudly deliver the basic city services to this world class City day in and day out."

Chris Osgood, the City's Chief of Streets, Transportation & Sanitation, will serve as the Acting Public Works Commissioner. With the addition of this role, Osgood will chair the Public Improvement Commission and support the work of the Public Work's Construction, Engineering & Permitting Divisions.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Brohel will lead all core city service operations for the Public Works Department. This includes the City's response to snow, as well as overseeing Central Fleet, Code Enforcement, Highway Operations, Street Lighting and Waste Reduction. 

麻州長宣佈11/25是"綠色星期五"

Baker-Polito Administration Declares Friday, November 25, 2016 as “Green Friday”
Declaration Made to Recognize State’s Green and Christmas Tree Industries

BOSTON – November 23, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration has declared Friday, November 25, 2016 as “Green Friday” to encourage people across the Commonwealth to visit their local farms for Christmas trees, holiday plants, and various decorating needs.  To celebrate the day, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux and Assistant Commissioner Jason Wentworth will participate in the annual Christmas tree cutting ceremony at Mistletoe Acres Tree Farm in East Bridgewater, which grows Christmas trees for the fresh cut market, at 10:00am.

“The Massachusetts nursery industry and Christmas tree growers are important contributors to our state’s economy and the holiday season,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As the holiday season begins, I encourage everyone to celebrate ‘Green Friday’ by buying local festive wreaths, garland, poinsettias and Christmas trees.” 

“Today is a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude to Massachusetts’ Christmas tree growers and nurseries for their contributions to the environment, the holiday season, and our local and state economies,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “It is important that we continue to support the Commonwealth’s local growers as part of ‘Green Friday’ by buying locally-grown Christmas trees and other holiday greens.”

Christmas tree season in Massachusetts provides hundreds of seasonal jobs at nearly 400 Christmas tree farms on approximately 3,000 acres of land from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Approximately $1.4 million is added to the Commonwealth’s economy each year from the sale of Massachusetts-grown Christmas trees. Christmas tree farms, which are oftentimes sited on soils that cannot support other crops, stabilize soil which helps prevent erosion and protect water supplies. When chipped, the trees can be used as a renewable source of energy to be burned as fuel, used as mulch, or composted.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to recognize our vibrant Massachusetts green industry, which is comprised of many family-operated businesses that provide not only memorable holiday traditions but contribute to sustaining the Massachusetts agricultural industry and environment,”  said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton.  “Christmas tree farms provide many local jobs to Massachusetts residents, and offer several environmental benefits, including helping to reduce the state’s carbon footprint and providing a stable refuge and feeding areas for wildlife.”

“Tis the season to get a head start to your holiday decorating needs on ‘Green Friday’ by visiting a Christmas tree farm and the many Massachusetts garden and nursery centers who provide an abundance of ‘greens’ to complete your holiday season celebrations” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Our tree growers and nursery/garden centers are committed to growing the best products by not only caring for the land, preserving open space, but also utilizing the best management practices.”

“We are looking forward to another great cut your own tree season and there should be plenty of nice trees to choose from at your local farms,” said Daniel Pierce, President of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Growers Association. “The weather this growing season has been a little challenging due to the drought but the damage seems to be limited to the new plantings. The trees that are ready to cut are looking great due to timely fall rains.” 

CAPAC Requests Meeting with President-elect Trump to Discuss AAPI Issues

CAPAC Requests Meeting with President-elect Trump to Discuss AAPI Issues
                                                                                                                                                                                          
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, requesting a meeting to discuss pertinent issues that affect the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Chair Chu released the following statement:

“The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus was established over two decades ago to address the needs and priorities of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, no matter the President or party in power. And as the fastest growing racial demographic in the nation, it is critical now more than ever that the voices of AAPIs are represented in national debates on everything from immigration and education to economic development and civil rights. That is why I’ve sent a letter to President-elect Trump requesting a meeting to discuss pressing issues important to our communities. I believe that there are common areas where we can work together for the benefit of all. And where we do disagree, open communication and a positive relationship can promote solutions and civility. It is our hope that President-elect Trump will accept our invitation to meet, and that he will continue our work to give AAPIs a seat at the decision-making table in the years to come.”

The text of the letter is below:

Dear President-elect Trump:

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I would like to cordially request a meeting with you to discuss pertinent issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Asian Americans are now the fastest growing racial population in the country and account for over 19 million Americans.  In addition, more immigrants now come from the Asia-Pacific region than from anywhere else in the world.

Since 1994, CAPAC has served as the leading voice for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community at the federal level. Our caucus is currently composed of 50 Members of Congress, including Members of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, representatives from the U.S. territories, and Members who represent large AAPI constituencies.  Together, CAPAC works to establish legislation and policies that address the needs of the AAPI community and works to advance the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. 

CAPAC has been proud to work with prior Republican and Democratic Administrations on significant accomplishments that are vital to both our community and our country, and we look forward to sitting down with you before the end of this year to discuss these priorities.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

JUDY CHU
Member of Congress
CAPAC Chair

星期二, 11月 22, 2016

華經會百分百可負擔新樓今日剪綵

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導)華人經濟發展協會耗時多年建成,座落在華埠"好事福平安大樓",今(11月22)日在波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh),波士頓市議會議長吳弭(Michelle Wu),波士頓市議員林乃肯(Bill Linehan),麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)等嘉賓出席中,剪綵。
這棟大樓佔地6萬平方呎,耗資2670萬元,共有67個單位,分套房,一睡房,二睡房等三種格局,全部為有收入限制,供低收入者租住的百分之百可負擔樓宇,由華人經濟發展協會(CEDC),施家銘建築師樓,Consigli建築公司,東方銀行,北美乞臣集團等攜手合作,歷時近10年,才克服萬難建成的華埠內首座百分之百可負擔住宅。目前已全部出租。
波士頓市鄰里發展局表示,這一工程共創造了100個建築工作機會。
波士頓市長馬丁華殊表示,波士頓很幸運,有這些建造商,設計師等等,和華人經濟發展協會合作,為華埠建造了更多可負擔住宅。
好事福平安大樓就在中城文化區旁邊,原本是個停車場,新建後有11層高,內有48間套房(studio),16間一睡房,3間二睡房單位。這些單位的出租對象是家庭收入在地區中位收入的30%至60%之間的貧苦人家。
2600多萬元的建造經費,分別來自波士頓鄰里發展局的領路基金(Leading the Way Fund)鄰里住宅信託基金(Neighborhood Housing Trust Fun)",聯邦及麻州州政府的抵稅優惠,麻州住宅及社區發展署撥給的370萬元等等。
為了符合波士頓市的綠色可負擔宅計畫,這棟大樓採用了綠色大樓設計技術,或有美國綠色樓宇理事會發給的LEED住宅銀證,也符合美國環保署的能源星標準。
根據hotpads.com公佈在網上的資料,這棟大樓的420平方呎套房,月租976元,熱水及暖氣費包括在月租內。收入限制為一個人$32,500- $41,220,二個人$32,500-$47,100
華人經濟發展協會成立於1974年,以增進波士頓市內華人社區經濟發展為宗旨的非牟利組織。該會董事長蔣宗壬對於該會為波士頓華埠又添一棟可負擔住宅大樓,很感欣慰,強調該會以服務社區為宗旨,今後將繼續勘查可發展機會。(所有圖片陳偉民提供)




Bunker Hill Community College and Phoenix Charter Academy Receive Gateway Cities Innovation Award

Bunker Hill Community College and Phoenix Charter Academy Receive Gateway Cities Innovation Award

BOSTON, November 22, 2016—The “Phoenix-Bunker Hill Partnership”—Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and partner Phoenix Charter Academy—was recognized with a 2016 Gateway Cities Innovation Award at the fourth annual MassINC Gateway Cities Innovation Awards. The awards ceremony was held on November 15, 2016, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Phoenix-Bunker Hill Partnership was one of only three recipients of the award, which recognizes organizations engaged in workforce development transformation in the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities. The Partnership was recognized for the learning lab they are creating in Chelsea, Massachusetts, one of the state’s Gateway Cities. The lab will be located in the College’s Bellingham Square Chelsea Campus building.

“Bunker Hill Community College has been a longstanding presence in the City of Chelsea,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “We are proud to continue to serve the community’s youth in new ways through this partnership with Phoenix Charter Academy.”

Due to the popularity and subsequent expansion of the College’s Chelsea Campus course offerings, the College announced this year that the Chelsea Campus will relocate to its fourth location in Chelsea in January 2017. The historic Bellingham Square Campus will serve as the location for the Phoenix-Bunker Hill Partnership. Community education courses and programs will continue to be held there in the evenings.

The Phoenix Network operates three college preparatory alternative high schools that provide rigorous academic environments for off-track teens and young adults who want to earn high school degrees and attend college. Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Chelsea will share space with Bunker Hill Community College in the College’s Bellingham Square campus, working closely with at-risk students to provide a high-support, high-expectation college pathway program.

“I consider myself an innovator on behalf of students,” said Phoenix Charter Academy Founder & CEO Beth Anderson. “I’m excited to partner with fellow innovator Pam Eddinger and Bunker Hill Community College to study how we can increase college persistence and completion rates with disengaged young people.”

MassINC is a public policy think tank uniting non-partisan research, civic journalism and independent polling, committed to expanding and supporting Massachusetts’ middle class. MassINC was built around the conviction that better outcomes would be achieved if policy makers and opinion leaders were armed with credible data and analysis about key issues surrounding quality of life in Massachusetts.