波城洪門致公堂歡慶蛇年新春

 洪青體育會的五獅齊舞，一向都是波士頓洪門致公堂最驕人的堂寶。(周菊子攝)

 波士頓洪門致公堂顧問余共才(第二排左六起)、主席司徒宗達、元老伍伯和、
阮全義、監堂阮振強、主席鄺國添等一眾職員和瑞獅合影。(周菊子攝)

                    (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓洪門致公堂四日晚在仁義禮智信五旗高掛，金黃紅綠黑五獅齊舞，支持慈善利是發給五機構，同堂共歡嘉賓五百多人的熱鬧，主席祝願僑社和諧的語重心長中，歡慶蛇年新春。

洪門今年的新春慶祝會，照例由洪青體育會舞動五獅，元老阮全義、伍伯和與主席司徒宗達、鄺國添等人高舉紮滿綠背(美鈔)的大紅洪字，讓瑞獅採青獻桔中開幕。

司儀梅惠聰以中英文雙聲帶主禮。主席司徒宗達言簡意賅的拜年，祝願僑社安定、和諧。紐英崙中華公所主席黃光野、駐波士頓經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠、波士頓僑教中心主任郭大文等人依序以廣東話致詞。主席鄺國添答謝。

同時於2010年當選為麻州有史以來首名州級華裔眾議員的黃子安、陳德基，去年雙雙獲選連任。四日晚他倆儼如兄弟，一起頒發州府表揚狀給波士頓洪門致公堂。他倆私下透露，正籌備在州議會內成立亞裔眾議員小組(Asian Caucus)，結合民主、共和兩黨之力，為亞裔社區發聲。

 波士頓洪門致公堂主席司徒宗達(後排右三)，鄺國添(後排左四)波士頓洪門致公堂
元老伍伯和(前排左起)、阮全義和嘉賓，安良元老梅錫銳、經文處處長洪慧珠等人
在新春慶會中合影。(周菊子攝)

洪門致公堂為表達對社區的關懷，每年都封利是，支持僑社團體。今年獲得洪門利是的五個團體為中華廣教學校、僑立學校、亞裔青年會(YES)、Shriner Burn、大波士頓有誦讀困難兒童中心(Greater Boston Children’s Dyslexia Center)。代表有誦讀困難兒童中心領取利是的Bernard Goulding透露，該機構與波士頓洪門致公堂已有十五年的來往關係，但還是第一次獲得兩百元大利是，頗有意外收獲之感。

 廉豔(左起)、吳影、曾燕琴等三名專業歌手，不但人長得美，衣服穿得漂亮，
歌聲更加曼妙。她們一出現，立刻引得全場騷動。(周菊子攝)

當晚由至德三德公所主席之一曹品慈主持，有不下十餘項的餘興節目，彰顯了波士頓本地人才的更見豐沛。專業歌星曾燕琴，聲樂科班出身的吳影及廉豔，穿著色彩鮮豔，設計華麗的禮服同時出場，齊聲高唱「歡樂中國年」，讓全場觀眾都為之眼前一亮，紛紛稱讚這一安排賞心悅目更悅耳。曹品慈、陳國航等人加入演唱行列的一曲曲「天蠶變」、「一點燭光」、「你的眼神」、「上海灘」、「萬水千山總是情」、「一見你就笑」、「粉紅色的回憶」、「酒醉的探戈」、「青藏高原」等廣東、國語流行曲，也展現了波士頓僑社從重視戲曲粵劇，轉為國語流行歌也佔一席之地的悄然變化。

洪門致公堂每年慶祝新春，都有嘉賓遠道來賀。今年到賀的嘉賓包括來自紐約總堂的兩名總理梅華生、陳競石，元老朱傑概、伍飛輝，主席李志聯、伍新傑等廿餘人。

波士頓洪門致公堂主席司徒宗達(右一)，鄺國添(左一)，接受麻州眾議員
黃子安(左二)、陳德基(右二)頒給的表揚狀。(周菊子攝)

各僑團的總長、元老，包括全美安良工商會元老梅錫銳，黃氏元老黃官羨，伍氏元老伍育俊，余風采堂美東總長余超群，余氏元老余仕昂，藝聯慈善社元老文振賢，以及經文處副處長陳銘俊、組長簡宏昇，僑務委員馬滌凡，都應邀高坐主席台。美東公安隊新任會長胡振勝還獲特別介紹。

波士頓洪門致公堂兩名管財政的黃孟彪(右)、余麗媖(左)坐在接待桌前收禮，笑得
特別開心。(周菊子攝

波士頓洪門致公堂的主席司徒宗達、鄺國添，監堂阮振強，總書記梅惠聰，財政黃夢彪，理財余麗媖，外交陳德誠、司徒月華，核數黎益置，康樂龔順泰，幹事鄧安，洪青會長譚偉明、謝偉超，以及監督黃子聰、司徒彥鏗、黃國威、余培鋒、李厚鵬等人，也都在總書記梅惠聰介紹下，和出席眾人打招呼、拜年。

牛頓市3/9首辦中國文化節

麻州牛頓市社區自豪會(Newton Community Pride)將於3月9日(週六)上午9時30分至下午5時，在牛頓文化中心(225 Nevada St., Newtonville)舉辦首屆牛頓市「中國文化節(Chinese Cultural Festival)」。

牛頓市社區自豪會是個非牟利組織，從1989年組成以來，就一直舉辦各種文化活動，豐富牛頓市居民的生活。該會規模近年越來越大，經辦活動項目也增為國際文化節、春、夏、秋、冬四季活動，以及不定期的各項活動。

國際文化節部份，今年有法、中、拉丁美洲、印度、俄國等文化節。三月二日，法國文化節打頭陣後，首次加入國際文化節行列的中國文化節，訂三月九日舉行。

傅麗娜、雷Reilley、沈安平、Alan Moy Soohoo、談繼欣、魏毅等六人組成的委員會，負責策劃了這牛頓市第一屆中國文化節，已定舉辦兩場講座，十二項包括舞蹈、歌唱、武術示範等的現場表演。

當天上午的兩場討論會，分別訂於9時30分和11時10分開始。首場主題為「來自中國生活藝術的健康：治療、清淨及內心平和(Healing, Clarity, and Inner Peace –Wellness through the Chinese Art of Living)，談中草藥、針灸、風水、太極，及中國古琴音樂，講者包括中醫師陸衛東、Abby Kessler、潘台春、Lidong Yu、Steve Chen等。第二場講座主題為「做為美國人，中國的方式(Being American, the Chinese Way)」，談在美國認可、欣賞中國價值觀，培養一名有自信的快樂小孩，經由積極參與來定義自己的社區，認識領養社區等。講者包括哈佛學者魏毅、教育專家沈安平、牛頓市議員談繼欣、社工Katie Jae Naftzger等。

當天早上在舉辦講座的同時，會場內安排有兒童活動，下午的表演，依序有波士頓鼓舞團、波士頓東方傳統合唱團、劍橋中國文化中心、陳耀祥武術學院、波士頓東方舞蹈團、世界傳統武術比賽金牌得主王安林示範武術，哈佛大學木蘭藝術團、牛頓中文學校、XYY喜樂樂隊、天使舞蹈團、中華藝術協會、大波士頓亞美青少年交響樂團等。

查詢詳情可上網www.newtoncommunitypride.org，或洽617-527-8283。

BCNC跨入昆市服務 今年籌款約25萬元

 

波士頓華埠社區中心三月一日晚在華埠帝苑大酒樓舉辦盛大春宴，宣佈已跨入昆士市提供服務，爭取到更多名人支持等驕人成績。包括帝苑酒樓東主黃官羨當晚捐出的三千元在內，BCNC今年籌款額估計可打破歷年記錄，達成目標中的廿五萬元。
馮文傷、甄若素夫婦，以及波士頓市人民服務長Daphne Griffin當晚獲頒波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)之友獎。

            波士頓華埠社區中心自從董事會主席鍾潔姿上任，把中心服務方向調整為家庭導向，內部人事也有營運主任、項目主任更新為年方廿、三十歲的John Xie及李隆華等年輕人後，整個機構更顯生氣蓬勃。

            周鍾潔姿和BCNC行政主任伍綺玲在場刊賀詞中說明，BCNC的86名職工，300多名義工，在各界熱心支持下，去年舉辦的活動，至少為2300人提供了既有創意，又有品質的服務。BCNC不只在華埠內辦理服務，還在昆士小學、查理士高中，甚至進了昆士市，為民眾提供服務。

            鍾潔姿指出，美國人口統計局2010年人口普查數據中的亞裔人口增長46%，已達349,768人，佔總人口的5.3%。其中絕大多數是移民。這是BCNC決定擴大服務的原因。

            BCNC推出的新服務包括「父母之道(Parenting Journey)」，「家庭識字(Family Literacy)」，已幫助117名有特殊需要兒童的「耀星計劃(The Shining Star Project)」，以及針對家庭個別狀況提供服務的「家庭連繫者(Family Connector)」等。

            BCNC的成人教育項目因應經濟環境的改變，著眼於培養移民就業能力的重新設計課程後，麻州中小學教育廳已有五年把該中心的服務項目表現，排為全州第三位。

BCNC這些年來的努力，已在外打響名氣，眾多名人收到支持邀約時，首肯毫不猶豫。2011年獲得史迪威企業婦女最佳執行長獎(The Stevie Awards for Women in Business)，有華裔血統的BJ’s批發公司執行長Laura Sen這兩年來已成為BCNC的忠誠支持者。一日晚她應邀上台致詞，還呼籲大眾一起繼續支持。

曾掀起「林來瘋」風潮的美國男籃明星球員林書豪，是華裔與牙買加非洲裔混血兒，早前未被華埠社區注意到的，2009年七月就簽約加入新英格蘭愛國者隊的鍾家庭(Patrick Chung)，都大方捐出球衣，供BCNC拍賣籌款。鍾家庭早前還親自出席BCNC的見面會，和一眾幸運的青少年會晤，另捐出足球拍賣。

BCNC昨日表示，林書豪的球衣，以四百元賣出。鍾家庭的球衣，以八百元賣出。

            麻州的州市政要，也都很支持BCNC的服務。麻州眾議員黃子安當晚代表州議會頒發表揚狀給BCNC，眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michelwitz)，波士頓市議員約翰康納利(John Connolly)、劍橋市市議員張禮能，以及去年底才新當選為康可(Concord)鎮鎮議員的伍甘澍等人，都出席到賀。

圖片說明：

            BJ’s批發公司執行長Laura Sen(右)呼籲大家一起支持BCNC。旁為BCNC董事會主席鍾潔姿。(菊子攝)

            在波士頓公校服務多年的甄若素獲頒BCNC之友獎。(菊子攝)

            BCNC與巾幗醒獅隊合作培訓小獅，成績顯著。黃瑞瑜(後左五)、陳小慧(後左二)等人已擔任該隊教練多年。(菊子攝)

            康可(Concord)鎮鎮議員伍甘澍，一日晚首度在華埠社區的公開場合露面。(菊子攝)

            劍橋市市議員張禮能(右)應BCNC發展主任陳小慧(中)之邀，出席BCNC春宴。曾為電視台播報員的David Brown當晚再度出任拍賣主持人。(菊子攝)

            BCNC每年辦春宴籌款，支持者都把全場坐得座無虛席。(菊子攝)

台學聯新春座談 林俞安當選新任會長

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處文化組3月2日在波士頓中國城龍鳳酒樓舉辦2013年新英格蘭臺灣同學會會長及副會長新春座談。東北大學林俞安當選為新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會新任會長。

來自大波士頓地區十四所學校的代表及學聯幹部，共約40人出席了座談餐會。

文化組組長黃薳玉在各校同學們自我介紹後，提醒各出席同學，在外求學要注意身體健康、生活安全。她也報告了臺灣正在推廣的「紫錐花運動」，說明該運動的總綱、目標和響應聯合國反毒日的作法，鼓勵同學會向國際友人推廣該運動，並在各自社團的網站上建立友善鍊接。黃薳玉還向幾名遠道而來，卻能準時赴會同學，表達了特別的歡迎。

      當天活動的重點之一是改選台學聯會長。卸任會長王俊凱簡報了過去一年來舉辦過賞楓、滑雪、購物、春吶歌唱比賽等活動，感謝各校同學會會長和幹部的支持，學聯幹部的同甘共苦服務。

黃薳玉組長也趁此機會，頒發感謝狀，表揚所有學聯幹部的服務有功。

今年的台學聯會長改選，有二人角逐。波士頓大學賴抒郁，以及上屆學聯副會長東北大學林俞安，分別發表競選政見後，各校同學會代表立即當場投票。開票結果，林俞安以七票之多，當選為台學聯新會長。他在發表當選感言時，只簡單表示，希望大家繼續支持學聯，攜手舉辦跨校聯誼活動。

台學聯成員，早年以研究院學生為主，近年有越來越多的大學部同學參加。當天出席者就包括波士頓學院和東北大學的大學部學生。

駐波士頓辦事處處長洪慧珠為鼓勵並感謝同學會幹部的臺灣留學生服務，特地準備了精美紀念品。黃薳玉組長在會中代表轉贈了給出席同學。

圖片說明：

      經文處文化組組長黃薳玉(前左六)和台學聯新會長林俞安(前左五)，以及各校同學會代表合影。(圖由文化組提供)

麻州約有3000隻黑熊 新調查又多兩隻

GOVERNOR PATRICK JOINS STATE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS AND BIOLOGISTS ON BLACK BEAR SURVEY

CONWAY – Monday, March 4, 2013 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan, Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin and state wildlife officials on an expedition to document the newest members of the Commonwealth’s black bear population.

The team discovered two cubs born approximately four to six weeks ago. The cubs, both male, weighed in at approximately six pounds. Based on last year’s breeding status, the Conway bear is one of 16 radio-collared sows believed to have given birth this winter.

While newborn cubs are too small to tag or collar, MassWildlife records each cub’s physical condition, weight and gender. Biologists also check the physical condition of mother bears, as well as the condition and fit of their radio collars.

Information gathered at the den in Conway today adds to that compiled through one of longest, continuous studies of black bears in the United States. DFG’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) began the study with the Massachusetts Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1970.

MassWildlife has been solely responsible for the project since 1999 and is currently examining reproductive success, cub survival, adult female survival and human-bear interactions. Numbering only about 100 bears when the study began, the Massachusetts black bear population has grown to approximately 3,000 today.

Although black bears are becoming more common in central Massachusetts and are occasionally sighted in eastern communities, most of MassWildlife’s bear research takes place west of the Connecticut River. With the aid of radio telemetry, MassWildlife is currently tracking 16 female bears, also known as sows, to determine adult female survival and cub production and survival – key components of the Division’s black bear population model. MassWildlife does not collar male bears, but ear-tags them to provide future knowledge about survival and movement.

Contrary to popular belief, black bears don’t go into true hibernation in winter. Rather, they sleep soundly in their dens from November or December until early March to mid-April, but may wake up to forage in mild weather.

Black bears are found in 43 states. Those in Massachusetts average 230 pounds for males and 140 pounds for females. They are omnivores – eating a variety of foods from vegetation and berries to grubs, insects and carrion – and are excellent climbers, frequently using trees to rest and to protect their young. Black bears mate between mid-June and mid-July and cubs are born in mid- to late-January. Cubs remain in the den until April and stay with their mother for about 17 months. Females typically have their first litter when they are 3-4 years old.  

忠義中文學校3/11新春聯歡 邀亞美聯誼會做嘉賓

亞美聯誼會副董事長暨發言人甄雲龍昨(四)日表示，坊間某報四日刊出「亞美聯誼會與昆士忠義中文學校將於三月十一日合辦春節聯歡會」消息，實為錯誤報導。

      甄雲龍指出，亞美聯誼會若決定與其他機構合辦活動，勢須召開董事會，並投票表決通過，但該會並未為此開過董事會，也未做過類似決議。

      甄雲龍澄清的表示，亞美聯誼會所瞭解的實情是，忠義中文學校訂三月十一日傍晚舉辦春節聯歡會，邀請亞美聯誼會董事出席，並致詞。他與該會數名董事討論過該派誰做致詞代表，該捐款多少賀年。該會並非忠義中文學校春節聯歡會的合辦者，純為嘉賓而已。

      昆市市府律師(city solicitor) James S. Timmins在二月底時，已通知本報，為中國超市在昆市設新店重開的公聽會，訂三月十一日晚七點，在北昆市高中舉行。

      坊間已有民眾表示，將在出席忠義中文學校的春節聯歡會，享用免費晚餐後，出席公聽會，以關心地方時事。

      甄雲龍表示，他也打算在為忠義中文學校春節聯歡會致詞後，前往公聽會，支持中國超市在昆市開張新店案。他認為，如今全球經濟不景，有新店開張，可創造就業機會，可增加民眾購物選擇，有助繁榮地方，應是好事。部份昆市議員及民眾擔心的交通問題，應可另行設法解決。

麻州撥補助款四十萬元 獎勵綠色社區

Patrick-Murray Administration Energy Officials Present Green Communities Awards
Wendell, Westminster and Whately receive Green Communities designations and over $400,000 in grants 

WHATELY– Monday, March 4, 2013 – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan today presented the towns of Wendell, Westminster and Whately with $417,575 in Green Communities grants to fund municipal clean energy projects.

“Wendell, Westminster and Whately are now three of the 110 Green Communities across the Commonwealth making smart investments in renewable energy,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Community by community, we are protecting our environment, reducing municipal costs and making Massachusetts a clean energy leader.”

“These communities are among the leaders taking charge of their clean energy future,” said Secretary Sullivan, whose office includes the Department of Energy Resources (DOER). “The Patrick-Murray Administration continues to support towns that are cutting energy use, creating jobs and protecting the environment. Their efforts are critical to the Commonwealth’s clean energy revolution.”

Wendell received a $138,125 grant, Westminster received $141,500 and Whately received $137,950. All of the communities received a certificate from the Commonwealth and four road signs identifying them as Green Communities. DOER’s Green Communities Division designated the towns as official Green Communities in December, recognizing their achievements in meeting five clean energy benchmarks.

“Massachusetts’ clean energy revolution continues its momentum in large part because of leadership at the local level,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “It’s always a good day when we recognize the efforts cities and towns are making to save money and energy for their residents and businesses while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”

The grants are part of a package of more than $1 million in funding awarded to the state’s seven newest Green Communities. In addition to the communities awarded today, and the town of Rockland, awards will also be made to Petersham, Westwood and Winthrop.

Once designated by DOER as official Green Communities, cities and towns are eligible for awards to fund local renewable power and energy efficiency projects that advance both municipal and state clean energy goals. Grants awarded so far assist an array of projects across the state, including the installation of solar panels on town office buildings, weatherization at schools and municipal buildings, installation of high-efficiency street lights, and a host of energy efficiency upgrades. Including this sixth round of designation grants and a round of competitive grants last spring for previously-designated Green Communities, the Patrick-Murray Administration has awarded approximately $24 million in grants to the Commonwealth’s 110 Green Communities.

To date, the 110 Green Communities have committed to a total energy reduction equivalent to the annual energy consumption of over 13,600 homes. In greenhouse gas reduction terms, this commitment equates to taking nearly 31,000 cars off the road.

"These communities, and the others in my district that have already been named Green Communities, are at the forefront of the state's effort to bring about a clean energy future," said Sen. Stan Rosenberg. "My congratulations to all the communities and all the people who made these awards possible."

"I applaud Whately for being the latest of a growing number of small towns to make a commitment to a more sustainable and responsible energy future for its citizens,” said Rep. Stephen Kulik.  “Participation in the Green Communities program will bring both financial and environmental benefits to Whately, and the town officials who provided the vision, leadership, and hard work to make this happen deserve our admiration and thanks."

“I am proud to represent Westminster, its designation as a Green Community is a worthy accomplishment,” said Rep. Jon Zlotnik.

 DOER’s Green Communities Designation and Grant Program, a result of the Green Communities Act signed by Governor Patrick in 2008,  rewards communities that earn Green Communities designation by meeting five clean energy benchmarks.

The program is funded through auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, as well as Annual Compliance Payments made by electricity suppliers under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Massachusetts sits at the end of the energy pipeline and imports all of its fossil-fuel based energy sources – some from areas unstable or hostile to the U.S. Of the billions of dollars Massachusetts spends annually to buy the energy that runs its power plants, buildings, and vehicles, much of it flows to other states and places like South America, Canada, and the Middle East. That is lost economic opportunity that Massachusetts stands poised to reclaim through investments in home-grown renewable energy and energy efficiency projects such as those supported by Green Communities grants.

The Green Communities Act also required the state’s utilities to prepare energy efficiency plans. The estimated energy reductions from the 2013-2015 plans is comparable to the environmental benefits achieved by eliminating the energy use of approximately 100,000 homes, or of taking approximately 400,000 cars off the road over the same time period as the energy efficiency measures. These initiatives and others earned Massachusetts the #1 ranking in the nation for energy efficiency by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) in 2011 and 2012. 

Further reducing our reliance on foreign energy sources, Massachusetts has 220 megawatts of solar power installed, with more than 100 megawatts installed in 2012 alone. That’s enough electricity to power more than 34,797 homes and, when compared with fossil fuel-generated electricity, the equivalent of eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions from 22,795 cars per year. Massachusetts is now 88 percent of the way to its 2017 goal of 250 megawatts of solar power.

There has been an increase in wind energy from 3 megawatts to 100 megawatts since 2007, enough to power nearly 31,633 homes and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from 21,503 cars annually.

NAPABA AND AAJC APPLAUD CONFIRMATION OF PAMELA K.M. CHEN TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

NAPABA AND AAJC  APPLAUD CONFIRMATION OF PAMELA K.M. CHEN TO THE  EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

WASHINGTON---Today, the Senate confirmed Pamela K.M. Chen by a voice vote to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She becomes the first openly gay Asian Pacific American to serve on the federal judiciary.  "NAPABA congratulates Pam Chen on her historic nomination and confirmation and is proud to have supported her in the nomination and confirmation process along with the LGBT community," said Wendy Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). "We applaud President Obama and Senator Schumer for their continued commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary." For almost 14 years, Judge Chen has served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where she has served as chief of the Civil Rights Section for more than eight years, and previously as a deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division. She also served as a deputy commissioner for enforcement at the New York State Division of Human Rights, as a trial attorney in the Justice Department in Washington D.C., and in private practice. Judge Chen has won numerous awards for her work, particularly in addressing human trafficking. "Judge Chen's confirmation is a step in the right direction," said Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice. "There are more than 40 federal District Court judges in New York City. Judge Chen will become the third Asian Pacific American, bringing APA representation on the bench more in line with our 14 percent share of the city's population." Judge Chen's confirmation increases the number of active Asian Pacific American Article III judges to 18 nationwide: two federal Appellate Court judges and 16 federal District Court judges. President Obama nominated a record 17 Asian Pacific American to the Article III courts. Three more Asian Pacific American Article III nominees are pending in the Senate: Sri Srinivasan, nominee for the U.S. Circuit Court for the D.C. Circuit; Raymond T. Chen, nominee for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Federal Circuit; and Derrick Kahala Watson, nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. NAPABA and AAJC urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm these individuals, who are highly qualified for the federal bench.

新網上工具可查麻州府投資計劃對個別家庭預算影響

GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES NEW ONLINE TOOL TO SHOW IMPACT OF INVESTMENT PROPOSALS ON A FAMILY’S BUDGET

Approximately half of Massachusetts residents will pay less, or the same under Governor Patrick’s proposal to grow jobs and opportunity

BOSTON – Monday, March 4, 2013– Governor Deval Patrick today unveiled an online tool that shows the impact of the Patrick-Murray Administration Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) budget proposal on an individual or family’s budget. The tool can be found, along with maps that outline the education and transportation plans that will help grow jobs in every corner of the Commonwealth, at www.mass.gov/governor/choosegrowth. 

“We are proposing meaningful investments in education and transportation, and people want to know what that means for them,” said Governor Patrick. “Last week, with the maps, we showed what long-postponed projects would get done in each community. Now, with this tool, we show just what the costs or savings will be for individual households.”

Residents will enter information including their annual income and filing status, and will be able to view the impact of the Governor’s proposal on their personal taxes.

"The Governor and I know that asking people to pay more by any type of tax increase is never easy," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "However, our growth strategy will expand opportunities for this generation and generations to come. As we continue the conversation, we hope this online tool will help residents understand the impact taxes will have on them personally and for the strength of our economy and Commonwealth.”

To support almost $2 billion in meaningful investments that will strengthen the state’s economic future, the FY14 budget calls for the creation of a simpler and fairer tax system that lowers the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent, and raises the income tax to 6.25 percent. All proceeds from the sales tax will be dedicated to a public works fund that will support the Administration’s 21^st century transportation plan, as well as the school building fund and other public infrastructure projects, and will be off limits for any other purpose.

To make that increase fair to all according to their ability to pay, the Governor has proposed doubling the personal exemptions for every taxpayer and eliminating a number of itemized deductions.  Making those changes gives the Commonwealth a tax code that is simpler and fairer. The changes to state sales, income and business taxes will make Massachusetts comparable on taxation to our neighboring states and those with which we compete.

Last week, Governor Patrick unveiled an online map tool that outlines transportation projects in every community that would be funded under the Governor’s FY14 budget proposal, as well as the additional Chapter 70 education funding and support for public colleges and universities communities can expect to receive under the Governor’s investment plan. The maps also show how many children in each community are on the waitlist for early education and care programs. As part of the Governor’s investment plan, the 30,000 child waitlist for early education and care programs across the state would be eliminated. 

Following the announcement of his investment plan in his January State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Patrick has been traveling across the state making the case for business leaders, educators, local elected officials and members of the public about the importance of investing now in education and infrastructure to spur job creation and unlock opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth. For more information on the Governor’s investment plan visit www.mass.gov/governor/choosegrowth.

麻州總檢察官辦公室將辦四場公開會議法講座

                                                        

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TO HOLD REGIONAL OPEN MEETING LAW EDUCATIONAL FORUMS THROUGHOUT STATE

BOSTON - Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office will hold four educational forums on the Open Meeting Lawthroughout the state during the months of March, April and May. On July 1, 2010, the Attorney General’s Office assumed responsibility for enforcement of the Open Meeting Law from the state’s District Attorneys, who previously enforced the law as it pertains to municipal and regional public bodies. 

The forums are part of a broad effort by the AG’s Office to assist public bodies in understanding and complying with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law. State, local, regional, and county public bodies are required to comply with the Open Meeting Law. The Open Meeting Law educational forums will be conducted by attorneys and staff from the AG’s Division of Open Government and are open to the public. To date, the AG’s Office has conducted 11 regional education forums on the Open Meeting Law, reaching more than 660 attendees.

The regional educational forums on the Open Meeting Law will be held at the dates and times below:

AyerThursday, March 28, 2013
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Ayer Town Hall
1 Main Street
Ayer, MA

Waltham
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Arthur J. Clark Government Center
119 School Street
Waltham, MA

Springfield
Thursday, May 9, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
60 Congress Street
Springfield, MA

GreenfieldWednesday, May 15, 2013
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
John Olver Transportation Center
12 Olive Street
Greenfield, MA

The educational forums are being offered free of charge. All members of public bodies, municipal employees, and members of the general public are encouraged to attend. Individuals interested in attending an educational forum are asked to register in advance by calling 617-963-2925 or by emailing OMLTraining@state.ma.us, and providing: 1) their first and last names; 2) town of residence; 3) the public body/organization they represent, if appropriate; and 4) the location of the educational forum they will attend.

Since assuming responsibility for enforcement of the Open Meeting Law, AG Coakley’s Division of Open Government has responded to thousands of inquiries about the law’s requirements, conducted or participated in 81 trainings across the state, and issued more than 200 determinations. In October 2011, in an effort to provide greater transparency and access to the office’s decisions, all of the AG’s Open Meeting Law determinations became available online through an interactive database, the Open Meeting Law Determination Lookup.

For more information on the Open Meeting Law, visit the Attorney General's website atwww.mass.gov/ago/openmeeting.

僑委會2013年首期網路店面行銷實務班四月底開課

僑務委員會為培育海外僑商網路行銷經營能力，特於2013年4月29日至5月10日開辦「2013年第一期網路店面行銷實務班」，由社團法人中華民國全國中小企業總會承辦。研習課程以網路行銷實務專業課程為主

，除由國內專家業者講授網路開店實務、行銷策略規劃與應用、實際案例解析、業者經營成功技法及經驗分享等外，並安排參訪國內應用網路行銷經營成績優異之企業。

研習課程之教材、師資及場地等學雜費用由僑務委員會負擔，學員自付由僑居地往返之交通費用、研習期間之膳宿費，有意報名者請於2013年4月3日前逕洽波士頓華僑文教服務中心。招生簡章及相關訊息請自本會網站（www.ocac.gov.tw首頁/貼心服務/報名僑商研習班）或全球僑商服務網（www.ocbn.org.tw /首頁/最新消息）下載。

台商盃保齡球賽 蘇鴻昌、許漱馨、Kevin Walsh隊奪冠

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會昨(三)日舉辦第七屆台商盃保齡球賽。蘇鴻昌、許漱馨、Kevin Walsh這組以總計1396分贏得冠軍，游舒婷、許欽俊、楊凱傑這組得亞軍。

            男子個人冠軍為506分的蘇鴻昌，女子個人冠軍為503分的許漱馨。

            昨日這場球賽，共有十隊參賽，每組三人。其中三組為新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會會長王俊凱召集來的各校同學。大部份的人，平時都沒打保齡球，這次應邀組隊，都玩得很開心。

            王俊凱透露，他已很久沒打過保齡球，第一局剛開打的時候，還有一百多分，沒想到後來越打分數越低。有經驗的許漱馨笑說，新手都是這樣，打到後來手臂就酸痛無力了，分數自然好不起來。

            前任台學聯副會長，已從布蘭岱斯大學畢業，進了鴻海波士頓分公司的樊長鑫，昨日也加入打保齡球隊伍。

            新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會的理事及歷任會長們，昨日都很捧場，包括蔡坤喜、林鳳池、蔡明機、許炳煌等人都出席打球後再和當天也因腿傷，未打球的王本仁一起開理事會。他們紛紛笑說，一年就打這麼一次保齡球，重要的見見朋友。

            之前曾是台商盃保齡球賽五連冠的蔡高進，一方面因為腳受傷，一方面老把冠軍盃領走，有點不好意思，昨日本來下場，沒想到台商會長胡美惠熱情邀約，於是下場入隊，但倒底腳傷還是有影響，未發揮原有水準，他那隊沒得名次。不過他很高興，昨天他居然連續打出四次全倒，得到計分電腦上出現一隻火雞的獎勵。

            台商會副會長許欽俊是今年這場保齡球賽的主辦者。他的另一半，游舒婷透露，現在的保齡球館都用電腦計分，只要連續打出三個全倒，電腦計分器上就會顯示一個火雞，表示獎勵。許欽俊昨天也領得兩隻火雞。

            打完球後，台商會就在保齡球館內聚餐，享用批薩。期間會長胡美惠還頒獎表揚許炳煌為該會做了許多事。

            新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長胡美惠(前左一)抱著保齡球，頒發冠軍獎給Kevin Walsh(後左二)，蘇鴻昌(前左二起)、許漱馨，亞軍獎給游舒婷、許欽俊、楊凱傑。(菊子攝)

            新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會的歷任會長、理事們，左起，林鳳池、許欽俊、蔡高進、許炳煌、胡美惠、蔡坤喜(右一)、蔡明機(右二)在打完保齡球後開理事會。(菊子攝)

            新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長胡美惠頒發特別獎給許炳煌，表揚他對該會的貢獻。(菊子攝)

滋根新年慈善音樂會 籌款逾萬元

歌聲落下，掌聲響起。滋根基金會波士頓分會昨(三)日在哈佛大學山德斯劇院舉辦的新年慈善音樂會，不但籌得萬餘元，更讓大波士頓人欣喜讚嘆，全因住在波士頓，才能享受到楊光、段小毅、李玉新、王麗文等聲樂家演出的音樂饗宴。

            波士頓滋根基金會發起人龍俐麗昨日在音樂會開幕時感謝出席眾人的熱心，報告經辦波士頓滋根十五年後，今起交棒給李小梅。

            龍俐麗很坦白，表示辦這麼一場音樂會，製作費並不便宜，售票收入扣除開支，節餘有限，但在十多名好友每人每曲贊助至少250元的支持下，共籌六千多元。再加上廣告及贊助商的贊助，共約籌得一萬餘元。龍俐麗透露，售票成績不夠理想，共有座位一千餘的劇院，約有四百空座位，她看著很心痛。但讓她安慰的是，至少她為大波士頓人帶來一場原汁原味的高水準音樂會。

            滋根基金會是1988年，一群來自香港、台灣的熱心人士為幫助中國最貧困地區人民而創辦的非牟利機構，主要目標為幫助兒童接受基礎教育，保持地方文化，傳授婦女謀生技能。廿年來，滋根基金會已在中國八到十一個省份，為將近九萬人次的中國女童及孤兒，提供了助學金，為八千多村民舉辦了掃盲班和基本生計課程。滋根針對中國「撤點併校」問題發起的提案，也獲得中國教育部門重視，進行政策改善。滋根創辦人楊貴平也因此獲得中國新聞週刊2012年影響中國年度人物之社會公共利益守望者獎。

            昨日的音樂會由楊光、段小毅、李玉新、王麗文等四名聲樂家和北美合唱團演唱廿一首中西名曲。聲樂家們的歌聲之美，各曲目樂音的或引人哀淒，或令人歡悅，不單只讓觀眾們對幾名聲樂家的唱功讚不絕口，情緒也隨之起伏牽動。

            上半場時，四名聲樂家各自展現演唱中西名曲的功力。楊光的一曲「你知道什麼是愛」，段小毅演唱的弄臣裏「善變的女人」，魏晶的Cecily，王麗文的Bachianas Braslieras No.5 Aria，李玉新和魏晶合唱的一段歌劇「啊，美麗的姑娘」等，每曲一畢，觀眾的如雷掌聲，要求安可聲立即響起。

            楊光是這場音樂會的主要唱者，不但演唱了多首歌劇曲，也演唱了春歸何處、江城子，我愛你中國等中國歌曲。

            台下觀眾中，曾任大波士頓中華文化協會會長的胡世沛感慨表示，這天的演唱會真是好。他指出，這幾名聲樂家大波士頓人早在廿年前就已熟悉。其中一、二人曾一度嗓音有變，但沒想到昨日的這場演唱會，每個人都唱得那麼好，幾乎全無瑕疵。另一名觀眾也指段小毅演唱「那就是我」時，感情之投入，讓人聽著就感動。

這天贊助演唱的熱心人士包括陳瑞虹、伍玉璋、李小梅、何玉琦、胡小非、胡俊杰、胡玉婕、曹宏遠、龍俐麗、劉泰國、柯曼雯、王藐若、文乃建、蔡茗、胡涵詩、王黎、程紀平等人。大波士頓中華文化協會的蔣宗壬、周健男、王子仁，劉劍英等許多人，都出席捧場。Azuki創辦人吳錦城，台灣生技育成中心執行長蘇懷仁，也都被朋友邀來聽音樂會。       

哈佛大學中國學生學者聯合會這天動員了多名幹部當義工，包括張旭、孫雷之、雷雨等人，或當接待，或負責攝影、拍照。他們都表示能為做善事盡一分力，是很有意義的事。

圖片說明：

            波士頓滋根基金會發起人龍俐麗(左一)把棒子交給李小梅(右一)，邀得王藐若(左二)、段小毅(右二)等人籌辦出一場慈善音樂會。(菊子攝)

            即將赴紐約大都會劇院演唱的楊光(左)應波士頓滋根基金會李小梅之邀，為慈善音樂會領銜演出。(菊子攝)

            李玉新和魏晶合唱的一段歌劇「啊，美麗的姑娘」。(菊子攝)

            波士頓滋根基金會慈善音樂會謝幕。(菊子攝)

廣教學校闢出一面牆 列名感謝捐款者

中華廣教學校在二月廿八日晚，以隆重典禮揭曉「建校捐款芳名榜」，聊向五百名以上善長仁翁，表達感激之情。

      這面以玻璃纖維製作，設計得很美的捐款牆，就放在門口走廊，出入廣教學校的每個人都要經過、看到，猶如向這些捐款者不斷行注目禮。

      中華廣教學校董事長蔡倩婷、副董事長雷國輝在致詞時，以中英雙語感謝一眾捐款者，聲稱是這些善長仁翁的慷慨解囊，才讓廣教學校得以改善設備，為社區傳承中華文化，提供教育服務。

      中華廣教學校校長曾秀芬補充，指出沒有忠誠、努力、盡心的老師，熱心支持的家長與學生，廣教學校無法走到今天。她特地介紹了在廣教已任教29年的梅淑雅老師，以及呂錦芳老師，廣教五年級學生Angelina、曹太、雷太等人。

      根據廣教學校記錄，萬寧路室長交誼室，華人投資公司(CI Associates)音樂廳，紀念蘇瞱初音樂廳，黃官羨夫婦藝術室，麻省藍十字藍盾體育中心，黃氏基金會，李伍綺蓮闔家紀念李實卿，陳家的毓旋、毓禮、金鳳、鳳瓊、鳳娣、鳳娥紀念父親陳應俊、母親梅顏香及黃蓮秀，吳陶至剛、李湯鳳鳴校長室，美國銀行圖書館，John Hancock 金融服務公司，紐英崙至孝篤親公所，校友李錦光牙醫、李伍碧香闔家，塔芙茨醫療中心浮船兒童醫院，黃兆英及黃余金遇，波士頓安良工商會，李瓊球及雷月華，黃家兆英、麗容、麗坤紀念父母黃高秀及黃周綺文，陳黃景佩校友及陳毓旋，永豐銀行，美國利寶(Liberty Mutual)基金會中國語言電腦室，道富集團基金會教師休息室等，各別至少捐款八萬元，取得房間命名權。

      雷國輝指出，廣教學校今日能擁有自置校舍，發展更好，幕後還有很多無名英雄，包括華埠信託基金會、Yakey基金會、獲多利(Fidelity)公司，以及在廣教建校期間，免費做法律顧問的李保華律師及古德溫(Goodwin Procter)律師樓，做建築設計顧問的鄭繼良，在廣教學校當年流離失所時提供暫用場地的中華頤養院等等。

      曾秀芬表示，她很高興可以向出席儀式的嘉賓們報告，如今廣教學校的課餘班學生，比三年前多了三倍，週末班的術科學生也人數大增，暑期夏令營更是等候名單長得令人咋舌。這在在證明了社區、廣教學校師生及家長的努力有成。

      廣教學校當晚為娛到會嘉賓，展現廣教學校學生的學習成績，還安排了腰鼓舞「歡樂中國年」，蒙古筷子舞、漢族採茶小姑娘、苗族苗兒舞等舞蹈，杜曉琳、黃敏儀、曹子宇等人揚琴演奏花好月圓、鄉村舒懷、土耳其進行曲。

      當晚到會嘉賓眾多，除前文曾提及的捐款善長，波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文，波士頓第二區市議員林乃肯(Bill Linehan)、塔芙茨醫療中心執行長Michael Wagner 之外，包括全美安良工商會元老梅錫銳，全美安良總理胡英僚，波士頓安良會長黃國健、李天生，顧問余文博等，安良共有不下十名成員出席盛典，藉以彰顯廣教學校當年是由安良工商會創辦的這一歷史。

圖片說明：

      梅淑雅(右起)、蔡倩婷、湯鳳鳴、陳毓旋、李伍綺蓮、塔芙茨醫療中心執行長Michael Wagner、胡英僚、梅錫銳、陳家驊、雷國輝等人為廣教學校的建校捐款芳名榜揭幕。

      中華廣教學校校長曾秀芬(右起)、陳毓禮、李天生、郭大文、黃國健、梅淑雅、蔡倩婷、XXX、蘇李煥珍、陳黃景佩、李伍綺蓮、阮陳金鳳、李湯鳳鳴、李伍碧香、蔣宗壬等人在揭幕後合影。(菊子攝)

      中華廣教學校校長曾秀芬表揚資深教師梅淑雅(右)、呂錦芳(左)。(菊子攝)

浙大校友迎新春 母校教授越洋賀

波士頓浙江大學校友會日前在華森鎮劍橋中國文化中心歡慶蛇年新春。七十多人在精心佈置的禮堂中享用美味晚餐，欣賞豐富節目，接受越洋祝福，嘻嘻哈哈的笑聲不斷。

      浙江大學在大波士頓一帶有不少校友，但直到2010年北美浙江大學校友會來到波士頓舉辦第34屆校友大會，才正式成立了波士頓浙江大學校友會，現在服務幹部團有洪保明會長，倪繼紅候任會長，沈軍華常務副會長、俞薇活動部副會長、賀極蒼學術及子女教育部副會長、張進創業部副會長、張海飛學生部副會長等。

      這兩年來，該會舉辦慶祝新年、春遊、夏聚等活動，校友間的感情越來越好。去年他們趁著浙江大學公共管理學院教授苗青到麻省理工學院史隆管理學院進修的機會，在感恩節期間舉辦了創業講座。今年已回校述職的苗青，特地拍了段拜年視頻，讓波士頓浙大校友隨鏡頭一覽母校變遷。

      目前正在哥倫比亞大學做交流訪問的浙大美東地區校友會聯絡人張蔚文，這天也特地從紐約趕來，代表浙大母校，向大波士頓本地校友拜年。

      波士頓浙大校友的這場「金龍辭舊歲，銀蛇迎新春」晚會，由倪繼紅和張進主持。他倆拿中國春晚節目做話題，從趙文卓表演的「少年中國說」最有浩然正氣，最給人正能量說起，串場帶出當晚的兩場講座及表演節目。

在子女教育這場講座中，浙大校友會特地邀請來已從哈佛大學畢業的Vivian Wu，子女在全美聞名的菲利普高中(Phillips Academy)就讀的校友張力行，闡釋現代高校重視多元化能力，強調各人發展要有個別特色，以及公立、私立學校的優缺點比較等。浙大光儀系82屆校友，目前在新英格蘭視光學院任職的賀極蒼，接著講談如何保護視力。

表演節目部份，四名年輕校友，劉茁、陳航、劉佳、林胤榜，自編自導的演出小品「白蛇傳」，把現代搞笑元素融於一體，呈現出一段全新的西子河畔美麗傳說，還把竺可楨校長的兩個經典問題、浙大各校區特色、求是書院的典故等浙大特有內容，揉進許仙、白蛇、小青、法海的愛恨糾葛中，把台下觀眾笑得不行，報以陣陣掌聲。

      表演節目中，也有人唱歌，杜華華演唱了鳳凰傳奇的「自由飛翔」，一名出席者演唱了京劇。

      活動中還玩起聽歌猜名，看圖猜校區、看頭像猜人名等遊戲，最後才在抽獎中結束。由於倪繼紅、鄒英寅等熱心校友捐出不少獎品，當晚中獎幸運兒不少，歡喜氣氛十足。

      波士頓浙江大學校友會會長洪保明(右二)、副會長倪繼紅(左起)、張進、沈軍華等人為校友們籌畫出一場精彩的新春晚會。(菊子攝)

      波士頓浙江大學校友會會長洪保明(第二排右七)、副會長倪繼紅(第二排右六)和部份出席校友在慶祝蛇年新春晚會中合影。(圖由波士頓浙大校友會提供)