提升僑營中餐館經營實力僑務委員會開辦「2014年中階主廚培訓班」

僑務委員會為培訓海外中餐廚師專業技能，提昇僑營餐館業者經營能力，並促進彼等與國內業者之交流，訂於2014年5月26日至6月6日辦理「2014年中階主廚培訓班」，由「實踐大學」承辦，聘請專業餐廚名師及國內知名主廚擔任師資，此次培訓以中餐精緻創意料理之實作及相關專業課程為核心。

本培訓活動採遴薦專業廚師參加之方式辦理，申請者必須經由各駐外單位或華僑文教服務中心推薦，每一餐館可推薦負責人或現職廚師1人參加。參加學員須自付自僑居地往返的交通費用，其餘課程、師資、材料等學雜費用及培訓期間的膳宿費用（不含自由活動日午晚餐費）均由僑務委員會負擔。

有意報名參訓的僑營中餐館業者負責人或廚師，請於2014年4月22日前與波士頓華僑文教中心或相關資訊可至僑務委員會網站（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）查閱。

麻州總檢察官取得法院命令 北亞當地區醫院急診服務暫得維持

AG SECURES COURT ORDER TO HALT CLOSURE OF NORTH ADAMS REGIONAL HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY SERVICES

Complaint Alleges Northern Berkshire Healthcare Violated Requirements for 90-Day Notification Prior to Closure

            BOSTON – A judge has issued a temporary injunction that will prevent the immediate closure of North Adams Regional Hospital’s emergency services, preventing a regional health crisis, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.

“As someone who grew up in North Adams, I know firsthand how critical this hospital is to the surrounding community,” AG Coakley said. “This injunction is the first step towards preventing an immediate health crisis for the area and keeping emergency services open. We are continuing to work closely with the administration and elected officials to help ensure continued access to critical health services for the entire community.”

            Upon learning about the proposed rapid closure of the hospital, AG Coakley immediately began working with other leaders to explore all options available to prevent a regional health crisis for the area.  A complaint was filed this afternoon in Berkshire Superior Court alleging that Northern Berkshire Health Care (NBH) had failed to provide the 90-day notification prior to closure as required by law.  The complaint points out that if the hospital closes, the nearest emergency room available for the area would be a 30-45 minute drive away, creating immediate health and safety concerns for the region.

            After a hearing Thursday afternoon, Superior Court Judge John A. Agostini ordered a temporary restraining order which requires the emergency room and other essential health services remain open through at least April 3, dependent on the AG’s office filing a revised order with additional detail by Friday.  The judge specifically requested that the AG’s Office and Department of Public Health better define those emergency health services that should remain open during this period. 

            A hearing on a permanent injunction has also been scheduled for Thursday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. where the AG’s office will seek to keep emergency room services operating for at least 90 days during any ownership transition or closure. 

            As part of its complaint, the AG’s office is seeking to prevent North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH) from closing its emergency department until it complies with the hospital closure requirements, or until Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield is able to license and operate a satellite emergency facility at NARH.  Berkshire Medical Center has been working closely with NARH to assist with the transfer of patients in the wake of the announced closure.

            AG Coakley is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure an orderly transition that preserves critical emergency health services for the region.

紅襪隊春季系列促銷活動

Springtime at Fenway Park:

APRIL & MAY GAMES FEATURE FAMILY-FRIENDLY PRICING,

NINE STARTING TIMES AT 6:10 P.M. OR EARLIER;

PAPI & PEDROIA BOBBLEHEADS APRIL 7 & 30;

MARATHON TRIBUTE APRIL 20;

TRADITIONAL PATRIOTS DAY GAME APRIL 21: 

COMMEMORATIVE WORLD SERIES RINGS MAY 20;

& 10^TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO 2004 CHAMPIONS MAY 28;

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today unveiled a series of promotions for home games in April and May designed to celebrate championships and attract children and families to Fenway Park.

The club lowered ticket prices $2 to $22 per ticket per game for 13 of the 31 home games in April and May as part of their 2014 “Sox Saver” games.  The team will also play nine games that begin at 6:10 p.m. or earlier.

Fans will receive the first in a series of bobbleheads, starting Monday, April 7, with a limited edition David Ortiz figurine presented by Granite City Electric Company before the Red Sox face the Texas Rangers at 7:10 p.m.  The month closes with a Dustin Pedroia bobblehead presented by W.B. Mason on Wednesday, April 30, when the Tampa Bay Rays visit.

The club will acknowledge the Boston Marathon tragedy and the city’s inspiring response on Sunday evening, April 20, and will present a traditional Patriots Day game April 21.  “Boston” will once again appear on the front of the Red Sox jerseys on Patriots Day, similar to those worn for last year’s Marathon tribute at Fenway Park on April 20, 2013.

While the champions of 2013 will receive their World Series rings at the Home Opener on April 4, fans attending the game against Toronto Tuesday, May 20, will receive commemorative rings presented by Samsung Galaxy modeled after the players’ rings.

The history-making World Champions of 2004 will return on Wednesday, May 28 to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the miraculous season that ended the legendary 86-year drought.  Players will be honored on the field before the 7:10 p.m. game against the National League rival Atlanta Braves.

The Red Sox will play a 6:10 p.m. game versus Texas on Tuesday, April 8 and two “after-school specials” that begin at 4:05 p.m., Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday, May 22.

In addition to playing day games Opening Day, which begins at its traditional 2:05 p.m. start, and Patriots Day, with  its unique 11:05 a.m. starting time, the club will play at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, April 6; Saturday, April 19; and Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4.

The two April bobblehead nights are the first of three the club will present in 2014.  On Tuesday, September 9, fans will receive Pedro Martinez bobbleheads when the Red Sox play the Baltimore Orioles at 7:10 p.m.

Also, for those enjoying group outings, the Red Sox will introduce a variety of “Theme Nights,” honoring various cultures, causes, and careers, including the following: Youth Baseball and Softball Days, First Responders Night, Country Western Night, and Teacher Appreciation Night.  A complete list is available on redsox.com/groups.

The full promotional calendar for the entire 2014 season is available at redsox.com/tickets.

Information regarding the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund

Information regarding the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund

BOSTON -- The Boston Firefighter's Credit Union has created a fund to help support the families of Lieutenant Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy.

"In difficult times like these, I am so proud to be mayor of a city that comes together to help our neighbors in need," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Since yesterday's tragic events, we've experienced an outpouring of support from across the city, state, and country. So many people have expressed a willingness to help, in some way, as we grieve the loss of Lieutenant Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy."

"Although no donation can heal the wounds suffered by the Walsh and Kennedy families, we are grateful to the Boston Firefighter's Credit Union for helping us create a focal point for peoples’ generosity, and to the people of Boston, of Massachusetts, and of the United States, who have once again shown the power of a community to help healing process begin."

Donations to the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund can be made by visiting the website of the Boston Firefighter's Credit Union at https://www.bosfirecu.com/. Donations can also be made by mailing checks to the Fund, care of the Boston Firefighter's Credit Union, 60 Hallet Street, Dorchester, MA 02124. 

GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF FULLY ELECTRIC TRANSIT BUS FLEET IN WORCESTER, KEY INVESTMENTS IN ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF FULLY ELECTRIC TRANSIT BUS FLEET IN WORCESTER, KEY INVESTMENTS IN ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

WORCESTER – Thursday, March 27, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today celebrated the launch of a new fully electric transit bus fleet at the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA). The Governor also announced new investments in two programs designed to support alternative fuel vehicles and related infrastructure across Massachusetts.
 
“We are committed to using innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster our energy independence and grow our clean energy economy,” said Governor Patrick. “The WRTA’s new fleet is an example of how we are accelerating the adoption of cleaner vehicles throughout Massachusetts to reduce harmful pollutants and promote a more sustainable environment for future generations.”

The WRTA purchased six Proterra plug-in, all-electric buses with more than $7 million in federal funds and matching state funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). These buses represent the largest fleet of Proterra all-electric buses in the nation.

“Governor Patrick has been a leader in greenhouse gas emissions reduction,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. “Thanks to his support, the transit authority is now home to a fleet that is cleaner, quieter and will save money. Today’s announcement shows that alternative fuel vehicles are a win-win for the environmental and economic bottom line.”

“The new electric fleet further advances the Commonwealth’s goals to provide our residents and visitors access to sustainable, healthy transportation,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey. “I would like to recognize Administrator Stephen O’Neil and applaud his efforts and vision to bring cleaner bus service to the transit users in the Worcester region.”

Each bus eliminates 130 more tons of carbon dioxide per year than buses using diesel fuel. The fleet will also reduce petroleum fuel consumption, eliminate other harmful pollutants and lower operating costs by nearly $3 million over 12 years.

Governor Patrick also announced a new initiative, the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOREV) program, which will provide rebates of up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). All residents of the Commonwealth are eligible to receive incentives on vehicles registered in Massachusetts; these incentives will be funded with $2 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds.

Governor Patrick also awarded on Thursday nearly $600,000 in Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) grants to 16 municipalities, two public universities and colleges, and one state agency for the acquisition of plug-in hybrid or battery-electric vehicles and the installation of Level 2 charging stations. This is the second round of grant awards through MassEVIP since its launch last year. For more information on today’s grant awards, go to: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/air/grants/massevip.html

“MassEVIP and the other important programs announced here today demonstrate that Massachusetts is a regional and national leader in deploying electric and alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Cash. “And through these programs, the Patrick Administration is committed to protecting our environment and growing the clean energy economy.”

“Worcester’s adoption of cleaner transportation, through this electric school bus grant and its commitment as a designated Green Community to buy only fuel-efficient vehicles, is a great example of how municipalities continue to lead in clean energy,” said Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Now individuals will also have greater incentives to buy EVs and plug-in hybrids. These are more good reasons to live in Massachusetts!”

“We have made great strides over the past year in improving the financing of our RTA’s and highlighting their importance to the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure, and this new, important investment is a further example of our commitment to providing reliable transportation services to all of the residents of Central Massachusetts,” said Senator Harriette L. Chandler.

“As we continue to make important investments in our transportation system, we must look to maximize the technology available to increase efficiency and lower costs. The Worcester Transit Authority’s all electric transit bus fleet is a perfect example of that,” said Senator Thomas M. McGee. “ Not only will these vehicles save money over time, they will have a much smaller impact on the environment.”

The Patrick Administration has already invested more than $20 million in electric and alternative fuel vehicles in the Commonwealth. In December 2013, the Patrick Administration announced several additional initiatives, including an electric school bus pilot. Working in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative’s ongoing EV V2G School Bus Demonstration, DOER will provide $1.8 million in grants for eight electric school buses with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability. Electric school buses have energy storage capability and can serve as back-up energy resources during natural disasters and similar events.

In addition, the Clean Vehicle Project aims to replace more than 200 public and private fleet vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel with alternatively fueled vehicles.

In October 2013, Governor Patrick signed a Zero-Emission Vehicle Program Memorandum of Understanding with seven other states’ governors to increase the number of clean energy vehicles on the road. Of the overall goal to achieve 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025, Massachusetts’ portion is 300,000.

The initiatives announced today will encourage increased deployment of advanced technology vehicles in Massachusetts, improve air quality, reduce reliance on foreign oil and help Massachusetts attain the Patrick Administration’s aggressive emission reduction goals set under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The Clean Energy and Climate Plan goal, created under the GWSA, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. The transportation sector generates more than one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions produced in Massachusetts. The Clean Energy and Climate Plan establishes a target for the transportation sector to reduce GHG emissions 7.6 percent by 2020.

昆士市四月二日起連辦三場公平住房論壇

麻州大都會區域計畫會（MAPC）為協助昆市住家聯盟（Quincy HOME Consortium）製作一份南岸地區的“公平住房選擇障礙分析（Analyses of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (簡稱AIs)）”，將從四月二日起，一連舉辦三場講座。

南岸住家聯盟包括昆市，碧樹（Braintree），好布魯克（Holbrook），米爾頓（Milton），衛矛斯（Waymouth）等市鎮。

這一系列論壇，將就公平住宅一事，徵詢民眾遭遇的問題，協助他們去除障礙，分析相關公平住宅資訊，辨識問題所在，並為地方或區域政府機構確認目標，採取促進公平住宅的行動。

1968年的民權法第八章，俗稱公平住宅法，規定在房屋的出售，出租，或融資上，不可因種族，膚色，宗教，性別，或原始國籍而有歧視。1988年的修訂案，再把規定擴大到不可因殘障，各人家庭狀況而有歧視，例如有十八歲以下子女，懷孕婦女等。

論壇舉行的時間，都是晚上七至九點，日期及地點，分別為四月二日在昆士市的市政府大樓（1305 Hancock Street, Quincy），四月十六日在衛矛斯鎮政府大樓的鎮議員議事廳（75 Middle St, Weymouth），五月十四日在碧樹鎮大樓的Johnson室（75 Middle St, Weymouth）。每場論壇都以英文，中文進行，並提供簡便晚餐。

查詢或報名，可洽邱潔芳， 617-376-1298，byau@quincyma.gov ，或 Sean Glennon ，sglennon@quincyma.gov。

Please consider joining the forums & spread the word.
Fair Housing Forums 公平住房論壇
(Available in English and Chinese. Light dinner provided.
Please see text below & the attached flyer for details.)
公平住房論壇 - 備有英文和中文服務﹐提供簡便晚餐。詳情請參閱下文及電郵附件。

What is fair housing 什麼是公平住房？
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act expanded coverage to prohibit discrimination based on disability or familial status (presence of child under age of 18 and pregnant women) and established new enforcement mechanisms for HUD and the Department of Justice.
1968年民權法第八章，俗稱公平住房法：禁止在房屋出售、出租、融資以及其他與住宅房地產相關交易的過程中實行基於種族，膚色，宗教，性別和原國籍的歧視，1988年公平住房法案的修訂更擴大覆蓋範圍，禁止基於殘疾或家庭狀況（定義為有未滿18歲的兒童和孕婦同住）的歧視﹐並替住房及城市開法部和司法部設立新的執法機制。

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, in partnership with the Quincy HOME Consortium, is in the process of identifying goals and actions to advance fair housing on the South Shore.  As part of this effort, MAPC and the Consortium will be hosting three public forums to solicit comments on its Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (RAI).
All meetings are open to the public and each will address fair housing in all five Consortium communities (Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, Holbrook, and Milton).

The forum schedule is as follows:
April 2, 7-9pm - Quincy City Hall, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy.  This hearing will include a discussion of each community in the Consortium, their fair housing needs and issues, and the capacity of those communities to address the needs identified. RSVP: http://bit.ly/RAI_Quincy

April 16, 7-9pm - Weymouth Council Chambers of Weymouth Town Hall, 75 Middle St, Weymouth. This meeting will address fair housing priorities, goals, and strategies: RSVP: http://bit.ly/RAI_Weymouth

May 14, 7-9pm - Johnson Chambers of Braintree Town Hall, 1 JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree.  This meeting will focus on a discussion of the final draft of the RAI. RSVP: http://bit.ly/RAI_Braintree

For more information 報名及查詢﹕
Betty Yau: 617-376-1298, byau@quincyma.gov or Sean Glennon at sglennon@quincyma.gov
Learn more about the project: http://www.mapc.org/sc-funded-fair-housing

華人啓蒙學校籲家長及早開發幼兒腦力

華人啓蒙學校昨（26）日和南端區幼兒園組織合作，在聯合路（United Way）等機構贊助下，舉辦“築腦社區行動會”，邀波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh），波士頓市議員吳弭（Michelle Wu）助陣，提醒社區，要趁孩子年紀小，開拓他們的大腦學習能力，奠定未來發展基礎。

華人啓蒙學校主任傅美華表示，該活動共有30個組織，300多人參加，旨在響應，支持即將於四月五日至十二日，在麻州各地舉行的“築腦進行中（Brain Building in Progress）”週活動，提醒家長們，科學研究指出，人的大腦結構有85%是在三歲以前形成，及早開發腦力，對幼童的未來發展有很大影響。

聯合路的幼兒策略（Early Childhood Strategies）主任夏萍若（Abby Shapiro）表示，“築腦進行中”是麻州早期教育及護理部門和聯合路合作舉辦的活動。希望藉開發幼兒腦力，讓麻州與人民都有更好未來。她指出，早前發表的科學研究報告指出，在幼童成長的頭幾年，每秒鐘有700次的神經連接（neural connections），這些神經連接和幼童與大人的重複來回互動，對幼童腦力發展有極大影響。她建議家長們參考該活動網站，http://brainbuildinginprogress.org，儘量參加逾千項活動，學習如何幫助子女開發腦力，未來生活的更好。

根據該網站，兒童在十八個月時，已出現明顯的認識字彙差距。因家庭貧困而未獲適當照顧，營養不良，生活壓力大等，都很可能延緩，危害兒童的智力發展，但只要家長努力，可以幫助子女學得更快。

華人啓蒙學校昨日還邀來波士頓學院“迅速啟動（Jump Start）”資深經理Julie Baldiga等人，示範唸故事書從介紹封面，書名，作者姓名開始，接著一邊唸書，一邊做啟發兒童動腦做關聯性思考，學習的補充說明。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh），波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭（Michelle Wu），以及後來抵達會場的麻州眾議員麥家威（Aaron Michlewitz）昨日都應邀到會，向出席家長致意。

馬丁華殊強調，教育是影響深遠的事業，也是他的施政重點之一。四月九日時，他將向市議會遞出一份新年度預算，要求提高學齡前，及小學教育經費。他表示兒童長得好，城市才會強，他希望能幫助每一名兒童踏上成功之路。

由於昨日出席活動的家長，幾乎清一色是華裔，馬丁華殊還強調傳承文化，傳統的重要。

昨日的活動，還包括示範製作營養小食 “香蕉菠蘿燕麥片早餐麵包”。波士頓市長馬丁華殊稱自己是愛爾蘭移民後裔，在家跟著媽媽做過不少蛋糕，穿上圍裙，拿起攪拌勺，當起臨時廚師的和示範老師一起做麵包。

所有出席家長昨日在會場享用早餐，欣賞高宏偉，李平的二胡，揚琴演奏，胡衛正擊鼓，張永生示範武術，四歲的張雄林，二歲的張雄運舞獅，導引功社的劉娟子示範圓極導引功，小企業行政局專員伍少武擺攤介紹聯邦政府為民眾提供的經商資源，魯家珍介紹亞裔癌症計劃的支援服務等。塔芙茨大學牙醫學院在會場發牙刷，”迅速啟動“免費送書，都極受歡迎。

圖片說明：

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊（中）試了一口已經做好的“香蕉菠蘿燕麥片早餐麵包”，翹起拇指讚味道好。（菊子攝）

           

            華人啓蒙學校主任傅美華（右起）向出席家長們介紹，吳弭是波士頓市首名女性亞裔市議員。旁為波士頓市長馬丁華殊。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊（右起）離開時，見到二歲的張雄運，四歲的張雄林，忍不住和他們玩起來。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊（右起）和波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭（Michelle Wu），一起接受波士頓社區發展行動會啓蒙及兒童服務項目副營運主任Ivy Washington送出的紀念品。（圖由波士頓市府提供，Isabel Leon攝）

            高宏偉（左），李平（右）演奏。（菊子攝）

            伍少武介紹聯邦政府小企業行政局的服務資源。（菊子攝）

            華人啓蒙學校主任傅美華（中）介紹後，麻州眾議員麥家威（Aaron Michlewitz)（左）向出席家長致意。（菊子攝）