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星期三, 2月 06, 2013

台學聯 2/15 春吶 2/17改選會長

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處文化組組長黃薳玉(前左三)和新英格蘭台灣同學會本屆幹部合影。第一排(由左自右)
學聯副會長呂承翰、學聯副會長/東北大學同學會會長林俞安、經文處文化組組長黃薳玉、學聯公關
/布蘭岱斯(Brandeis)大學同學會副會長林郁晴、學聯公關/東北大學裴家瀅、學聯公關/波士頓大學黃家琪
、學聯副會長
/東北大學王一涵,文化組黃秘書。第二排(由左自右學聯活動/東北大學黃達民、學聯活動
/波士頓大學林子為、學聯會長/波士頓大學王俊凱(周菊子攝)
新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會會長王俊凱(右一)、副會長呂承翰(前左一)等同學,
和駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處文化組組長黃薳玉
(前右四)(周菊子攝)
                            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會日前舉辦學聯說明會,向新舊學生介紹該會功能、活動,邀請參加服務,並預告二月十五日將辦春節吶喊歌唱大賽,二月十七日將辦理第八屆台學聯會長改選。
            新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會是由新英格蘭地區大專院校的台灣同學會聯合組成的學生團體。過去這三、四年來,在前會長胡俊峰、樊長鑫,以及現任會長王俊凱,副會長呂承翰、林俞安、王一涵等人悉心經營下,每次辦活動都很有聲勢,也讓近年來人數大減的各校台灣同學,不再覺得自己勢單力薄。
            日前辦說明會時,目前在波士頓大學修讀金融經濟博士的會長王俊凱,精心製作了一輯歷次活動圖片展,讓新來的,沒參加過活動的台灣同學們,感受一下和台學聯一起去賞楓、滑雪、購物、唱卡拉OK的樂趣。他強調學聯主要功能是為各校同學搭橋,建立溝通、聯誼管道,為同學們提供一個和他校同學交流,激發更多火花的平台。
            現年廿五歲左右的呂承翰透露,他高中畢業後就來美讀書,起初還有家人陪,後來就得自己學習獨立自主,加入學聯這個大家庭,讓他有機會和更多與自己來自同樣地方的同學交流,感覺很溫暖。
            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處文化組組長黃薳玉為關懷同學,當天也特地出席。她說文化組的任務之一,就是要照顧海外留學生,幫助同學們在海外求學、生活得順利。黃薳玉指出,近年來文化組常接到協助尋找失聯子女的要求,有時一個月就有二、三宗,她因此要再三叮嚀同學,不論多忙,都該時不時的打通電話,發封電郵向家人報平安。                   
新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會的下一場活動為二月十五日(週五)下午五點起,在波士頓大學學生活動中心(BU GSU) 禮堂,舉辦「春節吶喊」2013學聯新年歌唱大賽。查詢詳情可上網http://www.facebook.com/events/373435596087619
二月十七日中午,該會將舉行第八屆會長改選活動。

圖片說明:

      新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會會長王俊凱(右一)、副會長呂承翰(前左一)等同學,和駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處文化組組長黃薳玉(前右四)(周菊子攝)

      駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處文化組組長黃薳玉(前左三)和新英格蘭台灣同學會本屆幹部合影。第一排(由左自右)學聯副會長呂承翰、學聯副會長/東北大學同學會會長林俞安、經文處文化組組長黃薳玉、學聯公關/布蘭岱斯(Brandeis)大學同學會副會長林郁晴、學聯公關/東北大學裴家瀅、學聯公關/波士頓大學黃家琪、學聯副會長/東北大學王一涵,文化組黃秘書。第二排(由左自右) 學聯活動/東北大學黃達民、學聯活動/波士頓大學林子為、學聯會長/波士頓大學王俊凱(周菊子攝)

星期二, 2月 05, 2013

湯偉麟宣佈參選康州 Stamford 市長


As many of you know, I've spent the last few weeks traveling around Stamford talking to voters - from the A&P grocery store in North Stamford to Elm Street Diner off Cove Road - hearing many things we love about Stamford and also the things we must change to make it a better city.  
Yesterday, we made it official and announced our campaign to run for mayor of Stamford.
Stamford has been going through the motions lately. But I do not believe we can reach our future by neglect. As mayor, my focus will be giving Stamford the long term vision it needs to succeed.With the right leadership and visionStamford can be the finest small city in the country for our families.
Click the image below to watch coverage of our announcement!
 Click for Its Relevant Coverage
The campaign is just getting started. We're going to need your help to win this race and give Stamford and its families the future we deserve.
I want your input and help. Email me at william@williamtong.com and let's get this campaign off the ground!
All the best,
William Tong

文協迎蛇年會長換屆 周一男交棒給黃淑英


大波士頓區中華文化協會(GBCCA)二日晚在傅萊明罕鎮喜來登酒店迎接蛇年新春,舉行周一男交棒給黃淑英的會長交接禮,頒傑出社區服務獎表揚四名資深會員,請柯乃南談經商成功之道。400多名衣香影繽的會員、嘉賓,歡渡一晚。
      今年是文協正式立案成為非牟利組織的五十週年。雖然上台的幹部、嘉賓們無人提這數字,但與黃正剛、蘇義雄一起領取傑出社區服務獎的蔣宗壬、湯耀武,早於1970年代就曾任文協會長,暢言創業經歷的柯乃南不諱言自己今年七十,都讓出席眾人無法不感受到文協的歷史悠久,在大波士頓華人圈中的老大哥地位。
      文協會長周一男致卸任詞時,點名感謝陳宏林、章振洪、陳式儀、趙小怡等每一名幹部,慨言他們的社區意識及團隊精神,是該屆幹部能夠交出一份漂亮成績單的主要原因。去年夏天,他做出決定,聘請下水道公司清理、舒通了文協大樓管道,以後遇上暴風雨,文協大樓地下室都不會再有濕漉不堪的困擾。他也感謝鄉村(Village)銀行每年大方捐款一千二百元。
      接任的黃淑英介紹了她這一屆的新幹部,有陳玉瑛、林梓玲、楊羅東、李家祺、許俊欽、潘慧如等人。她表示,新年度目標是進一步促進會內成員和社團之間的溝通,加強該會與主流社會,以及其他華人組織的聯繫、互動。
      文協新屆幹部中的陳玉瑛是波克萊台灣商會會長,許俊欽是新英格蘭台灣商會會長,李家祺曾經出版波士頓導覽旅遊書籍,潘慧如曾任華心中文學校校長,黃淑英這新一屆文協幹部的對外加強聯繫這理想,可說是還未正式上任,就已部份達成。
由於文協有下屆幹部隨同本屆幹部服務,以茲實習的傳統。司儀馬滌凡、談繼欣當晚特地介紹了待任會長冼鳳明,以及2014年度幹事,包括陳式儀、李希青、王淑玲、白松(Oren Robinson)、Jenis Gee、姜銓等人。
文協今年的年會,特地請來波士頓的成功企業家,創辦了柯氏汽車集團的柯乃南,分享他的創業經歷。
在中國出生,台灣長大,1968年才來美國,不諱言自己今年已七十歲的柯乃南表示,來美後,經過14年的打拼,奠定基礎,娶妻,生育四名子女,才從尚莫維爾市(Somerville)的自營汽車修理店開始拓展生意版圖。那時找銀行貸款,處處碰壁的挫折,他至今仍然記得,也因此很感念最後肯貸款五十萬元給他,讓他買下劍橋市日產(Nissan)汽車代理權的世紀銀行。後來他的汽車代理王國版圖才陸續拓展到衛斯理豐田(Toyota)、傅萊明罕的克萊斯勒(Chrysler)、五十鈴(Isuzu)、吉普(Jeep)2008年時,克萊斯勒公司破產,導致他失去代理權,又轉代理Kia
柯乃南在講述他一生的起伏經歷時,還不時用餐館、咖啡店的經營財務做例子。他強調自己只是個非常幸運的人,但也聲言做人要誠信,做事要專心、努力。持之以恆,就會有成績。
柯乃南的妻子孔廣詩和柯乃南是成功大學同學,兩人在大一、大二時就認識。她坦言自己最欣賞柯乃南的地方,就是他的講誠信,只是有時說話太直。她認為柯乃南的主動,總是讓身邊的人很高興,很符合美國人的文化、習慣,讓柯乃南比較容易的就打進了美國人的圈子,也是柯乃南能事業成功的另一因素。
文協在年會中,還頒發了青少年社區服務獎,表揚在華心中文學校和藝校擔任義工的徐衢燕、樊綽穎、宋鑫。
當晚的表演節目,包括文協華心中文學校的舞獅、合唱團由王麗文指揮,演唱「菊花台」,陳志新語楊信宜以低音號與古箏重奏「瑤族舞曲」,弘表演太極扇、蔡李佛,知音舞韻、佳韻舞集、健身腰鼓隊的舞蹈及秧歌等。
喜齡會成員的「小小世界」服裝表演,每年都是最高潮,當晚也再度為文協年會畫下句點。

圖片說明:

      大波士頓中華文化協會新舊任幹部交接。前右起章振洪、陳式儀、趙小怡、周一男、黃淑英、楊羅東、林梓玲、陳玉瑛、李家祺,後右起郭漢渝、許俊欽、陳宏林。(菊子攝)

      大波士頓中華文化協會會長周一男、余國豪夫婦,邀請駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠等嘉賓出席。(菊子攝)

      柯氏汽車集團創辦人柯乃南()、孔廣詩()夫婦,和1994年曾任文協會長的陳瑞虹,已是多年舊識。(菊子攝)

      文協會長周一男(左起)頒發傑出社區服務獎給蔣宗壬、黃正剛、蘇義雄、湯耀武等人。(菊子攝)

      王麗文說明文協合唱團要演唱「菊花台」。(菊子攝)

      楊信誼、陳志新夫婦合奏。(菊子攝)

麻州副州長宣佈三百三十萬元建性攻擊受害者遠距護理中心


LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MURRAY ANNOUNCES $3.3 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR NEW TELENURSING CENTER TO HELP VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Groundbreaking telemedicine initiative to help health care providers improve assistance to victims of sexual assault
BOSTON – Tuesday, February 5, 2013 – Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today announced $3.3 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to create the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Telenursing Center, which will be used to enhance care and support for victims of sexual assault nationally.
“Massachusetts is proud to be a national leader in providing the highest quality of care for victims of sexual assault,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. “By investing in this new Telenursing Center and medical care services, Massachusetts is leveraging technology to improve public health for victims of sexual assault and ensure a higher quality of care in their healing process.”
Nationally, many frontline health care providers do not routinely provide sexual assault treatment services, and may not be readily familiar with the specific medical, emotional needs of the victims and the forensic needs of the criminal justice system. As part of today’s announcement, a pilot Telenursing Center will be created at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and will provide 24/7 access to expert medical assistance and consultation for health care providers developed by national expert forensic sexual assault nurse examiners. The grant will provide consultation by the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Telenursing Center for health care providers who work with selected populations in pilot locations around the country.
“The SANE Telenursing Center will allow Massachusetts to share our expertise to help victims across the country,” said John Polanowicz, Secretary of Health and Human Services. “I thank the Obama Administration and our partners in the provider community for their support of this important initiative.”
Grant funding will support several critical components of the pilot, including information technology equipment and assistance at each pilot site, expert clinical staffing, education and technical assistance for pilot participants, and ongoing evaluation of the overall program. Best practices and lessons learned from this national telemedicine pilot project will be later used to inform the development of a National TeleNursing Center.
“This program will allow us to use telemedicine to promote the most effective physical, emotional, and forensic care for sexual assault victims,” said Dr. Lauren Smith, Interim Commissioner of the Department of Public Health (DPH). “We also need to do everything that we can to support the frontline professionals who work with these patients.”
Funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime, following a nationally competitive grant application process. A total of $3.3 million will be available over the course of a three-year term. DPH will be the lead agency on this project and Newton-Wellesley Hospital will provide the physical location and infrastructure to support the Center. American Doctors Online/PhoneDOCTORx will provide consultative services and telemedicine network design.
“Newton-Wellesley Hospital is proud to support the Patrick-Murray Administration in its efforts to ensure that survivors of sexual assault receive expert, compassionate care," said Erin Miller, coordinator of the domestic violence and sexual assault program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
"This amazing telemedicine pilot will increase access to forensically sound, victim focused services for adolescents immediately following an assault," said Tom King, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Children's Alliance. "Once again, the MA SANE program is leading the national conversation while providing the best course to healing for the most vulnerable citizens of the Commonwealth."
“All survivors deserve the access to the expertise SANE brings together; forensic evidence collection, nursing, and advocacy," said Gina Scaramella, Executive Director, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC). "BARCC is honored to be part of the grant project and we are excited to discover the ways that these components of SANE can come together via technology to help survivors in underserved communities."
DPH has long worked with community partners to improve the quality of medical care for sexual assault victims in Massachusetts. In 1997, DPH created the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, whose core mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive, and coordinated expert forensic nursing care to patients/victims seeking treatment following a sexual assault. To date, more than 16,000 patients have been treated by a total of 105 trained SANE providers within the state of Massachusetts.
This three-year grant includes three distinct phases of implementation. In the first year, the funded agencies will develop the necessary infrastructure and capabilities to deliver quality telenursing services, and identify partner health care sites that work within the four targeted populations. The second and third years of the grant will be focused on implementation of high-quality telenursing care to those nationwide populations.
More information on the Massachusetts SANE program can be found at www.mass.gov/dph/sane. More information on the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime can be found at http://www.justice.gov/

陳素刻在Mount Ida 學院藝廊展畫 探討無限


藝術家陳素刻正在Mount Ida 學院藝廊,與其他三名藝術家舉行「指數:四名藝術家探討無限(Exponential: Four Artists Explore Infinity)」聯展。二月七日(週四)晚六到八點,舉辦接待酒會。六點半並有一場藝談。查詢可洽藝廊主任Kathleen Driscoll617-928-4768kdriscoll@mountida.edu

星期一, 2月 04, 2013

波士頓慶新春 文人雅士齊揮毫


大波士頓「全僑喜迎春,四海慶豐年」的僑胞聚一堂,揮筆寫春聯活動,昨()日移師波城華埠的紐英崙中華公所舉行。數十人冒瑞雪出席,在紅紙滿廳中揮灑行草棣書,歡欣熱鬧的迎接蛇年新春。
      北美藝術協會代表黃鏡明、程嶺,中華書法會會長陳綺怡,紐英崙藝術學會會長林卓培,紐英崙中華公所主席黃光野,駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠,副處長陳銘俊,波士頓僑教中心主任郭大文等人,分別以廣東話、普通話、英語致詞,感謝一眾出席者對傳承中華文化的支持,對社區的關心。
陳綺怡為致詞,特地準備了「一帆風順,雙喜臨門…久久長長,十全十美」這從一數到十的吉祥話,來為新春開年討個好兆頭。
      洪慧珠處長則在會中盛讚大波士頓人才濟濟,書法家比比皆是,最難得的是都對中華文化有感情,各個人的一筆筆好字,看著就讓人欽佩。
      昨日出席的大波士頓內知名書畫家,除前述代表、會長外,還包括吳紹營、甄雲龍、周文熙、方正厚、郭天涵都共襄盛舉,在會場各據一角,懸腕、提筆,寫出一幅幅好字,寄托出各自心意,包括甄雲龍寫了幅「起承轉合見龍在田,元亨利貞金蛇舞春」,程嶺寫了「鏤月裁雲」等。
      出席者中唯一的西人林蘭詩,跟隨梅宇國、林卓培勤練有成,寫的一筆好字,讓許多中國人自嘆不如。她還煞有介事的自己從波士頓書局買來一卷九元的金紋紅底春聯紙,寫出「琴臨秋水彈明月、馬飲香泉踏凌沙」。
      一月廿六日在僑教中心參加了今年第一場寫揮春活動的彭育三,王均,昨天都再到會,與一眾書法家們交流。
      昨日的中華公所,有些人是來捧場,有些人是來湊熱鬧,看的、寫的,都在中華公所會議廳中穿梭來去,讓會場顯得熱鬧十分。
黃鏡明的法蘭克林公寓鄰居,今年剛滿八十的周明耀,來自上海,笑稱今年是自己本命年的徐翔飛,從哈佛大學燕京圖書館繕本組退休後,到廣州中山大學客座執教,最近完成四百萬字繕本課題著作的沈津,都應朋友之邀出席。
      以往常出現在象棋會活動中的譚健章,昨日露了一手,寫出「中興國力騰鼎盛、華人社區更繁榮、公德風氣猶尚存、所向披靡眾志誠」對聯,無論是句意或筆力,都讓人稱讚。
      出席者中較特別的是伍振中。將從聯邦FAA通訊策略及表現辦公室新媒體及創新科技主任一職退休的他透露,自己在波士頓已有五十多年,退休後打算以「神筆小孩」非牟利組織來推廣青少年學書法、習武術。他表示自己揉武術功夫於書法,有時用太極劍、太極拳的手法、身法來揮毫,或潑墨,構成基本畫面後再以金漆修飾成畫。他以這手法繪製的書畫,已為他的基金會籌得一小筆款項。
      廣教學校昨日約有十名學生在老師梅慕芳的率領下到會,欣賞林卓培寫就的伍華彥的辭,朱紹昌的詩,再在扇面用紙上寫出「清心翰墨」。
      昨日出席寫揮春活動眾人,邊寫揮春,邊和其他出席者交流,還享用黃氏宗親會黃周麗桃等人派發的糕餅、點心。

圖片說明:

      經文處處長洪慧珠()欣賞甄雲龍(左三)、程嶺(左一)等人寫的字。(菊子攝)

      池元山(右起)、程嶺、甄雲龍、吳紹營、梁永基、方正厚、黃國威、林蘭詩、李潔英、陳綺怡、黃周麗桃、洪慧珠處長、黃鏡明、郭大文主任、黃光野主席、周文熙、譚健章、翁宇才,以及伍振中(後左起)、郭天涵、林卓培等人在會中合影。(菊子攝)

      程嶺()、甄雲龍()一起展示寫書法的懸腕、提筆。(菊子攝)

      書法家吳紹營(左三)寫了幅華僑為革命之母,送給新來的波士頓僑教中心主任郭大文(右三)。旁為經文處副處長陳銘俊(左起)、處長洪慧珠、中華公所主席黃光野、中華書法會池元山。(菊子攝)

      伍振中()示範功夫書法架勢,請郭天涵比擬。(菊子攝)

      林卓培陪廣教學校學生們練書法。(菊子攝)

      所有出席的書法家們和廣教學校小朋友合影。(菊子攝)

星期六, 2月 02, 2013

波士頓即日起提供免費報稅服務


波士頓市府勞動所得稅抵減(EITC)聯盟和國稅局合作,為中低收入家庭提供的免費報稅服務,即()日起在市內約25個不同地點辦理。家庭年收入在五萬元以下,於四月十三日前報稅者,如果符合勞動所得抵減(EIC)資格,估計最高可得5891元退稅。
今年,麻州政府在全州各地,共有三百多個EITC(Earned Income Tax Credit)辦理點,波士頓市有25個辦理點,為市民提供免費報稅服務。
波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)是華埠地區唯一與波市府EITC聯盟合作,提供場地,辦理免費報稅及信用諮詢服務的機構,將於週六及週四,每週服務二天。
二月二日起至四月十三日止的每周六上午10點至下午4點,以及27日至37日的每周四下午5點半至8點半,家庭年收入在五萬元以下的居民,都可在事先打電話預約後,帶備證件及文件,到華埠社區中心(38 Ash St., Boson)請義工協助填報2012年所得稅。
波士頓市ETIC聯盟在2011年稅季內,分別於25個服務地點,為11650名納稅人提供了免費報稅服務,幫他們取得共約一千七百五十一萬六千元的聯邦退稅,六百廿二萬五千元的勞動所得抵減(EIC),二百八十一萬五千元的子女稅抵減。
2011年內,共有334名報稅義工,72名信用諮詢義工,25名報稅點協調員。
            波市府勞動所得抵減聯盟指出,即使不符合勞動所得抵減資格者,只要家庭年收入在五萬元以下,仍有可能獲得免費報稅服務。
            基本上,家庭年收入在五萬元以下,有三名子女的已婚夫婦,或年收入一萬三千九百八十元以下的單身無子女者,都仍可使用EITC所提供的免費報稅服務。
            查詢詳細規定,或免費報稅服務地點,可上網bostontaxhelp.com,或電洽查詢617918-5259。查詢波市以外的其他麻州地點,可上另一網站www.MassCashBack.com
      前往免費報地點辦理報稅手續時,各人必須攜帶本人、配偶及子女的社會安全卡,或報稅號碼,附照片的身份證,全家健康保險卡,所有1099表格(包括失業金與養老金),所有的W2收入單據,學費、書簿費單據,學生貸款的付款證明,2012年支付的托兒資料和單據,去年付的租金數額及單據,去年的報稅表影本,稅務局寄發的信件等稅務相關文件。
      在勞動所得稅抵減(EITC)聯盟擔任外展大使已六、七年的王蓓,日前在波士頓華埠社區中心和服務點協調員李女士,一起為報稅義工們做簡報,準備今日起展開服務。
      王蓓透露,當天有三十多名義工出席,比他們預期的人數多了不少,但只有大約一半人具中英雙語能力,她本人恐將承擔起更多的現場翻譯。王蓓並指出,今年的報稅服務,將連同信用諮詢一起做,花的時間可能稍長些,希望到場辦理報稅人士要先有心理準備。

圖片說明:

      王蓓擔任波市EITC大使,已有六、七年,是碩果僅存的五名大使之一。(菊子攝)

亞裔反家庭暴力小組廿週年會 頒紙鶴感謝義工


亞裔反家庭暴力小組(ATASK)一月三十一日晚,以一場描述姊妹、家庭感情的舞台劇「你我你(You for Me For You)」,宣佈新增董事曹育倫,為該會慶祝成立廿週年拉開序幕。
      亞裔反家庭暴力小組當晚在舞台劇演出前,先簡短舉行了年會。董事長陳婉娉派發新鮮出爐的年報,宣佈在全球經濟不景當中,該機構幸運的仍能收支平衡,而且是麻州內唯一獲得聯邦「反暴力對待婦女」資助三項計劃的機構,提供特定文化服務、促使男人加入反家庭暴力行列、建過渡屋。
      根據ATASK的年報,在2011年七月到2012年六月的會計年度期間,ATASK申請到的資助,獲得的捐款,以及辦活動的收入,共約一百六十一萬元。
      在這一年中間,ATASK51人提供了3439晚的緊急庇護住所,透過一天廿四小時,一週七天的多語熱線,回應了990通求助、諮詢電話,幫助493人為未來的安全做計劃,找住房,獲得醫療保險,申請公共福利,找工作、尋求法律援助等等。
      ATASK還為34名家庭暴力倖存者改善英語、理財能力,學習維生技能。培訓了16名青少年,當小老師的為389名初中、高中生,提供了有關防止約會暴力、健康關係的知識教育。
      ATASK的個案管理服務,為六個家庭提供了過渡屋服務。
      陳婉娉表示,由於籌得足夠資金,該機構得以增聘人手,來為以華裔、柬埔寨、越南,以及南亞地區為主的有需要者,提供服務。
      陳婉娉強調,ATASK是個需要拿出心來的機構,她們很幸運的,不但工作人員都有關懷意識,很盡心盡力,就連該會董事、、義工,也全都不計較的奉獻心力。
      ATASK董事會主席Audrey Paek在年會中送出「榮譽紙鶴」,向第七號頻道電視台記者吳芝蘭,哈佛大學法學院首名亞裔女性終身教授Jeannie Suk等,對該會貢獻良多的董事、義工,表達感謝之意。
      ATASK還在會上宣佈,在現有的十名董事之外,亞美社區發展協會董事長暨新金融公司創辦人曹育倫,已接受邀請,即日起加入該機構董事會。
      一月三十一日晚,ATASK開完年會後,全體出席者在波士頓天滿街的波士頓藝術中心廣場劇場(Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre),一起欣賞一公司(Company One)刻正演出的舞台劇「你我你(You for Me For You)」,並在演出結束後,由Jeannie Suk主持,和編劇Mia Chang,以及演員們互動。
      留在會場和編演人員互動的觀眾們,幾乎一致表示故事感人,無論是講姊妹、家庭之情,談饑餓,偷渡、逃亡,到置身截然不同世界的衝擊等,都讓不同背景的人找得到共鳴。
      在「你我你」一劇中軋一角,飾演人口走私販的曹育倫表示,這是齣極為少有,以韓裔為主題的舞台劇。參演此劇,讓他的人生體會更豐富。曹育倫也表示,ATASK的工作,幫助了許多女性重獲新生,有三個女兒的他,覺得ATASK的工作很有意義,因此決定調整自己的時間、精力,加入該機構董事會。
ATASK已排定的慶祝廿週年系列後續活動,現有訂五月十一日舉行的小鋼琴家黎卓宇與長木交響樂團合奏音樂會,十月十七日舉行的廿週年絲路嘉年華會。查詢詳情可上網www.atask.org

圖片說明:

          ATASK董事長陳婉娉(右一起)邀請曹育倫加入ATASK董事會,和「你我你」編劇Mia Chung,座談主持Jeannie Suk,以及「你我你」演員們在演出後合影。(菊子攝)

          ATASK送給第七號頻道電視台記者吳芝蘭一隻紙鶴,感謝她對該機構的貢獻。(菊子攝)

波市府宣佈2013新春 街頭將有56輛食物卡車

其中一家賣亞裔食品的是Fugu。
在啟動網站Kickstarter上籌得一萬三千元,出售以有機水果打出來的果汁、冰沙,及點心的果汁媽( Mother Juice),也是獲選的其中一輛食物卡車。


Earlier this month, the City of Boston held its annual food truck lottery, a process in which the Hub’s mobile vendors compete (in a friendly manner) for the most coveted spots around town. The results are in, and today the city announced the 2013 spring and summer food truck schedule.
The schedule goes into effect on April 2, 2013, and I’ll admit I spent a good five minutes planning out my lunches based on which trucks will be near my office during the week. Besides filling your own needs though, perhaps what’s most exciting to take away from this schedule is that there is now a huge variety of food trucks populating the Hub’s streets.
In total, there are 56 food trucks ready to hit the streets this spring, which is nearly four times the amount that started when the pilot program launched in 2011.

臉書可能欠你十塊錢


去年十月,臉書同意就整個'贊助的故事'問題,達成協議。臉書可能曾經在未經你同意下,使用了你對某個'贊助的故事'廣告按下的'讚'。臉書為此同意撥出二千萬元,付給權利受侵害者。

如果你收到一封看起來像垃圾郵件的'集體訴訟協議法律通知',你就有機會獲得賠償。只要你上網填表,就有可能獲償十元。不過,如果有太多人填表,錢大概不夠分,整筆錢將轉交給非牟利機構。
由於臉書在美國就有一億五千萬用戶,撥供賠償的錢卻只有二千萬元,最後的結果,很可能是交給非牟利機構。

Does Facebook Owe You Money?

   Eric Limer
Generally, Facebook is making money off you (or at least trying) by collecting all your info and then parceling it all out for ads. But now the tables have turned, maybe kinda sorta. Thanks to an ongoing class action lawsuit, you may be entitled to up to 10 whole dollars from the social networking giant. Take that, Zuck!
In October, Facebook agreed to a settlement about this whole Sponsored Stories issue, wherein they may have used your likeness in a Sponsored Story ad without your permission. The settlement set aside $20 million for you poor, wronged souls, and now Facebook is starting to get ready to pay it out.
How do you know if you're included? Well, if you got a super-legal-y it-almost-looks-like-a-scam email from Facebook about "LEGAL NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION," you're in. All you have to do is file a claim form online, and you're signed up for a sweet $10 slice of that pie. Maybe. There is a catch. If too many people claim, and there's not enough money to go around, the whole chunk of change will go to a non-profit. And as Buzzfeed points out, there are 150 million Facebook users in the US and only $20 million to go around, so that's more than likely.
But hey, maybe you'll wind up getting cut a check from Facebook. There's only one way to find out. So make sure you check that old Hotmail account you used to sign up years and years ago. There could a shot at ten bucks sitting in there. [Buzzfeed]

派區克政府批准新能源計劃 約須投資27億元


BOSTON – February 1, 2013 – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan today announced that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) yesterday gave final approval to three-year plans that will commit the state’s investor-owned utilities and the Cape Light Compact to deliver more aggressive savings to customers, boost the economy and protect the environment. The plans will lead to net benefits of more than $6 billion over the lifetime of the measures implemented.
“These new three-year plans will continue our work toward a clean energy future,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Reducing energy costs for Massachusetts residents, our reliance on foreign sources of energy and our impact on the environment will serve the Commonwealth well for generations to come.”
The approval of the three-year plans expands the Commonwealth’s nation‑leading goals for electricity and natural gas savings from energy efficiency investments and marks another important step in helping the Commonwealth address vital energy issues. The plans call for $2.7 billion in investments that will result in nearly $9 billion in benefits over the life of the installed measures, with a benefit-to-cost ratio greater than three-to-one; for every dollar invested in energy efficiency, ratepayers will receive over three dollars in return over the lifetime of measures installed.
“Reducing our energy consumption will yield significant environmental benefits and help control high energy costs that burden families and businesses in Massachusetts,” Attorney General Martha Coakley said. “These energy efficiency programs are an important step in helping people reduce their energy consumption which can lead to lower bills and lower emissions from power plants.”  
“We are proud to lead the nation in energy efficiency and these plans will ensure that we maintain our spot and continue our clean energy revolution,” said Secretary Sullivan. “We are expanding the work we’ve done over the last three years to cut energy use, save money and reduce emissions across the Commonwealth.”
Following an exhaustive process led by EEA’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council unanimously approved the electric and natural gas utilities’ second three-year efficiency plans last fall, and the utilities filed them with the DPU on Nov. 2, 2012.

微軟推出新Office 2013


Microsoft Office 2013 Debuts on January 29

Office 365It’s finally official. Microsoft is launching the new Office, aka Office 2013, on January 29. There have been lots of rumors that January 29 would be the day that the latest version of Office would be generally available via retail channels. But thanks to a tweet from the Office team, and a #Timeto365 campaign/hashtag — which I saw via Winbeta.org — we now know Microsoft is “launching” the new Office on Tuesday in Bryant Park in New York City. (Thanks for the heads up, guys! Luckily, I live within walking distance.) Microsoft released Office 2013 to manufacturing on October 11, 2012. The company made the final bits available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers, as well as volume-licensing customers, before the end of last year. Recently, Microsoft made $10 versions of the final Office 2013 bits available to volume licensees with Software Assurance as part of its Home Use 

星期五, 2月 01, 2013

美可再生能源理事會讚揚卸任能源部長朱棣文


ACORE Praises the Extraordinary Tenure of Outgoing Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu
Washington, D.C.; February 1, 2013–The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) praises the superb work of outgoing Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu. Secretary Chu’s resignation was announced today, following four years of exceptional leadership at the Department of Energy that will serve many generations of Americans for decades to come. Notably, Secretary Chu oversaw the rapid expansion of renewable energy technology and deployment in the U.S., with nearly 85 gigawatts of installed renewable capacity by 2013.
“Secretary Chu led America forward toward a cleaner, more sustainable future powered by increasing amounts of renewable energy. His focus on innovation and objective scientific knowledge have encouraged the development of technologies that are even today delivering reliable, clean, and more affordable electricity to Americans,” said ACORE President, Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn. “Secretary Chu served our country in a manner that deserves the utmost respect. His vision of bringing more renewable energy online has directly benefited the American economy and environment, and set a sure course toward America’s clean energy future.”
Secretary Chu, who received his Ph.D. degree from Cornell University is also the 1997 winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics and, prior to his service at the Department of Energy (DOE), was the former Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. ACORE praises Secretary Chu’s intrepid vision at DOE and his ability to drive meaningful action and encourage significant growth for issues such as renewable energy installations, private investment in the clean tech sector and thousands of new green jobs throughout the U.S.
“If you look at the significant achievements during the Secretary’s tenure, you can’t help but be impressed that he’s done a remarkable job in moving us forward to a more secure and prosperous energy future,” said Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn. “Under Secretary Chu’s leadership America added over 42 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, providing enough new electricity to power 31 million homes, and nearly doubling the 2009 level from when he took office. Solar prices dropped significantly and wind energy is reaching levels competitive with natural gas. America is really turning the corner in developing a leading clean energy economy.”
During his tenure, Secretary Chu oversaw the expansion of solar jobs to nearly 120,000 across America, with strong growth expected to continue in 2013. His support for wind energy encouraged record development and, with 13,124 megawatts of turbines installed last year, wind energy beat natural gas to become the largest new source of power generation for the first time. These advancements provide important precedent for renewable energy development in the future and Secretary Chu’s contributions are a shining example that ACORE hopes will continue for years to come.
ACORE extends its thanks to Secretary Chu for his guidance at DOE and his service to the country.
About ACORE:
ACORE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to building a secure and prosperous America with clean, renewable energy. ACORE seeks to advance renewable energy through finance, policy, technology, and market development and is concentrating its member focus in 2012 on National Defense & Security, Power Generation & Infrastructure, and Transportation. Additional information is available at www.acore.org.

中華公所新年度會議要查總帳

董事李奇舜(左立者)向中華公所主席黃光野(後中)重申,他要求記錄上次會議中
各董事的發言時間及次數,以證明他並不是發言最多及最長者。他也稱讚黃光野
這次會議沒有打斷他發言。
(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所廿九日晚召開本年度第一次董事大會,議題不多,爭辯不少,第一次在反對、棄權票多達十四張,儼然無聲抗議的情況中,通過上一次會議記錄,也第一次出現董事要求查總帳狀況。
 董事謝中之()在會議中請教中華公所主席,會外有江湖大老為中華公所
的事找他,該怎麼辦。黃光野答稱,報警。(菊子攝)

當晚在會議中,中華公所派發了「2013紐英崙華人社區僑團春宴一覽表」,請各僑團抽籤決定各自的中華公所春宴席次,撤銷了「董事擾亂會議行為紀律處份」提案,介紹約五名新董事,提醒各僑團代表一年至少六次的中華公所董事大會,不得缺席多於二次,還報告了望合墳場的更名、整修外觀計劃進展有變,說明龍岡親義公所主席鬧雙胞案,盼龍岡在三月底,中華公所下一次董事大會前,自行解決這一內部紛爭。
董事曹品慈強調他提紀律處分案,旨在促進董事開會時互相尊重的態度。(菊子攝)

會議中的爭議之一,是中華公所主席黃光野宣佈,波士頓安良工商會必須和其他僑團一起抽籤,來決定該會今年在中華公所春宴中的席次,以示對該會在去年春宴時未邀請中華公所主席致詞,是不尊重表現的懲罰。波士頓安良工商會會長暨出席中華公所代表黃國健立即抗議,聲明該會近年簡化春宴儀式,未邀任何其他僑團首長致詞,只請經文處處長致詞純因處長為官職。黃國健認為,中華公所主席未經董事大會討論、通過,就自做主張,打破了安良工商會身為中華公所創會團體之一,和洪門致公堂一樣不須抽籤的傳統,反而是中華公所主席不尊重波士頓安良工商會的表現。
龍岡親義公所的劉碧枝(左起)、關麗莎、劉素嬋出席中華公所會議。(俞國梁攝)
各僑團出席中華公所董事中,有不少人是安良、洪門成員,部份人先後發言。黃國健其後在爭論中拂袖而去,並不知道中華公所後來保留了第十五號桌給安良工商會。
龍岡親義公所前任主席趙金歡(立者)要求中華公所承認她主持的選舉結果。
(俞國梁攝)

會議中的另一爭議,是董事李奇舜質問為何中華公所的上次會議記錄,未把他的公所應記錄各董事在會議中的發言時間長短,以及發言次數這要求,記錄在簿。他強調自己這一要求,是為證明他在公所會議中的發言時間及次數,並不比其他議員多,主席不應在他發言途中,打斷他。多名僑團董事,因此在通過上次會議記錄的投票中,分別以八張反對票,六張棄權票聲援李奇舜,造成少見的中華公所會議記錄有多人反對通過的記錄。
公所董事曹品慈的「議員擾亂行為紀律處份」提案,也引發不少討論。部份議員援引中華公所當晚派發的19981027日會議記錄,以及公所章程第15條取消代表董事資格註明,指曹品慈的提案,內容重覆,並無必要。曹品慈強調,他的提案,旨在促進公所開會時的和平氣氛,只要達到促進董事們開會時彼此尊重的目的,案不成立,也無所謂。
至孝篤親公所董事陳文浩在會中質疑,中華公所僱員的2011年薪資僅為60,248元,為何2012年跳為96,216元,2013年的預算,再漲為98,000元。公所財政黃立輝解釋,2012年間發生時信樓居民因樓危被迫遷出,中華公所參與協助安頓,以及為因應麻州總檢察官辦公室的調查,整理文件工作浩繁,須付加班費等情況。董事蔡倩婷指出,中華公所董事為社區服務,全為義務性質,薪金支出一漲三萬多元,有查看總帳清單(ledger)的必要。黃立輝同意下次提交總帳。
中華公所主席黃光野當晚還在會中報告,已和麻州總檢察官辦公室接觸過,公所遭投訴一節,並無不合法處。有關整修望合墳場一事,紐英崙華人歷史協會改變說法,中華公所將繼續和波士頓市府及望合墳場管理處協商。
中華公所的本年度一月份董事大會,共有五名董事換人,分別為波士頓安良工商會由黃國健取代李天生,朱沛國堂由朱紹昌取代朱健威,余風采堂由余國華取代余景新,至孝篤親公所由陳仕維取代陳建立,紐英崙廣東同鄉會由蔡倩婷取代余麗媖。
中華公所主席黃光野表示,新年度僑團出席中華公所的年費為每人兩百元,出席的代表董事名單,應於三月三十一日前交齊,屆時可確任新年度的全體董事名單。
會末的僑團活動預報,包括華埠主街將於269日的一連四天,每天上午九點至下午五點,華埠牌樓公園舉辦華埠迎春花市;29日上午十一點,在華埠牌公園舞獅蛇年。二月十七日(週日)上午十點至下午五點,華埠將有各武術團體舞華埠華美銀行(68 Harrison Avenue)「新年文化村」展字畫、寫揮春、捏麵人、擺放傳統工藝品

Menino率麻州市長反對槍枝


波士頓市長萬寧路(Tom Menino)(一月三十一)日與麻州各地市長共十六人,在柏文屋(Parkman House)召開記者會,呼籲麻州的臨時聯邦參議員加入麻州反槍聯盟,推動聯邦政府早日通過反槍法案。
      萬寧路昨日在他位於畢肯丘(Beacon Hill)的官邸,柏文屋(Parkman)內接待麻州市長反槍聯盟(Mayors Against Illegal Guns,簡稱MAIG),繼續討論如何推動聯邦政府在制止槍枝暴力上採取行動。
      萬寧路日前在發表市情咨文時誓言要和聯盟中的將近一千名市長,以及逾百萬人民一起,繼續反槍努力。昨日他再進一步呼籲甫於週二獲指派為臨時美國聯邦參議員的柯文(William Mo Cowan),加入麻州的反槍行列,
萬寧路表示,做為市長,他們對居民有責任,要盡所能的確保社區安全,他因此呼籲麻州內所有市鎮,加入行列,向國會施壓,要求採取行動,以期美國境內每年約有一萬一千宗謀殺案,以及一萬九千宗自殺案源於濫用槍枝的情況,得以改善。
萬寧路稱讚麻州的國會代表團,簽署了HR137法案,要求在美國境內買槍的每個人,都要接受背景調查。
昨日約有十六名市長出席麻州反槍聯盟記者會,其中包括麻州唯一的華裔市長,費奇堡市市長黃素芬(Lisa Wong),以及華裔人口眾多的昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch),摩頓市市長葛帝生(Gary Christenson)
根據波士頓警察局A-1區的每月報告,波士頓市華埠一帶,在最近數個月,一連發生多起持槍搶劫事件,雖然華埠之內還並未發生有人因槍擊案死亡事件,但已有不少居民感到安全受威脅。
摩頓市市長葛帝生對槍枝暴力感受猶新。就在一月廿九日,一名39歲,在摩頓市主街經營溜滑板店的海軍退伍軍人Shawn Clark,竟於光天化日下,在自己的店門外遭人槍殺。
麻州反槍聯盟會長布蘭衢(Braintree)市的市長蘇利文(Joseph C. Sullivan)昨日表示,槍枝暴力並不是市區或郊區的問題,是美國問題。
都會市長聯盟(Metro Mayors Coalition)主席,尚莫維爾(Somerville)市市長古塔托(Joseph A. Curtatone)表示,在一連串發生康州新城珊迪胡克(Sandy Hook)小學、柯羅拉多州歐羅拉(Aurora)世紀電影院,亞歷桑納州圖斯康(Tuscon)等槍枝暴力的屠殺事件後,人們不能再忽視這問題,必須採取行動,推動改革。
上週,已有830多名市長聯名簽信,要求國會領導層迅速通過聯邦參議員Charles Schumer提出的「解決槍枝檢查法(Fix Gun Checks bill)」。不過美國境內每年的槍枝買賣,約有40%是經由私人賣家出售的。

圖片說明:

      波士頓市長萬寧路(Tom Menino)(前中)和費奇堡市長黃素芬(後右二起)、昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)等市長召開記者會,呼籲反槍。(菊子攝)

      摩頓市市長葛帝生(Gary Christenson)()響應波士頓市長萬寧路(Tom Menino)()的反槍號召。(菊子攝)

麻州長解釋加稅預算是激進改革的選擇



麻州州長派區克昨(一月三十一)日舉行族裔記者會,解釋他在州情咨文中提出的加稅預算,著眼於麻州未來發展,聲言麻州的優勢在人才腦力,將在教育、創新及區域性基礎設施上加強投資,以為下一代創造更好機會。
派區克表示,時代在演進,知識是推動經濟的主要力量,麻州也不斷在變,人口已越來越多元化,政府及社會都應該因應知識就是力量,善用州內族裔多元化的優勢,來創造更好的明天。
他指出,雖然很多人抱怨地鐵、巴士等服務不夠好,但事實上麻州仍有很多偏遠地區,區域交通設施不足,經濟無法發展,人們的生活也難改善。他的新預算案因此特別列出改善區域性交通設施項目。
新預算中,銷售稅減為4.5%,所得稅提高為6.25%,豁免額加倍。其他的所有稅項和其他州相似。對於年收入在四萬元以下人士,應繳所得稅其實會下降,年收入在五到六萬左右人士,大致不變。
派區克表示,他新提出的這一預算和以往可能很不一樣,但這是他在麻州要想要快速成長、緩慢成長,或不成長中做出的選擇。
派區克坦言從事公職是很耗損人的工作,他從來就沒有想過要把從政當長遠職業打算,已定兩年後要另找工作,但選總統不會是其中的選項。
談及與中國的關係時,2007年就曾到中國的北京、上海訪問的派區克,會後不否認有意在卸任前再訪中國,但稱許自己是麻州最佳推銷員的他也指出,每次率貿易團出訪其他國家,都得付出政治代價。
派區克認為麻州與中國之間的經貿關係,已相當良好,只是礙於較適合麻州羅根機場跑道寬度、長度的波音公司787型客機,未能如預期的在兩年前完成,暫時未能有更快、更廣的發展。

圖片說明:

            麻州州長派區克(Deval Patrick)()昨日和麻州難民移民署署長()召開族裔記者會。(菊子攝)