龍捲風來襲 Revere市逾百戶屋協樹倒

前天大雷雨，氣象局發佈淹水警報，但沒人想到，薩福克郡（Suffolk）裏靠海的瑞維爾(Revere)市，在七月廿八日這天，竟六十年來頭一遭，遇上龍捲風（tornado）。

有關單位表示，數以百計的樹木被連根拔起，屋頂被掀得片瓦不存，許多人家災情慘重，修復恐怕費時。

當龍捲風橫掃時，風速高達每小時120哩，瑞維爾市中心商區都被掃出一道明顯切痕。數以百計住房慘遭蹂躪，原本寧靜的住宅區，幾分鐘內變得滿目瘡痍。

有關人員表示，這大概是至少六十年來的第一次有龍捲風襲擊薩福克郡，不但把大橡樹連根從地裏拔了出來，還把許多金屬護欄都吹得滿天亂飛，好在並無嚴重傷亡。

            有關人員表示，目前還很難計算損失多慘重，但保險商將逐門逐戶的幫助居民計算損失。

            在龍捲風過後不到一小時內，居民們就都走出家門，清掃瓦礫，電力公司員工也開始清理道路，維修斷線。

            這龍捲風大約是在早上九點半抵達雀喜市（Chelsea），接著向北移動，穿過雀喜河，進入瑞維爾，以雷雨形式，在大波士頓內橫掃兩哩多長，半哩寬的許多地區，從傅萊明罕到北岸，有不少地方淹水。

瑞維爾消防局長 Gene Doherty表示，有65戶人家的住屋，損壞嚴重，其中有十三戶住家及商鋪，完全不適宜有人居住了。該市政府已在當地一所學校設立庇護所，暫時安置這些居民。

國家電網（National Grid）發言人Jake Navarro表示，截至週一晚九點半，有五百戶人家停電了。

早上時，停電情況最嚴重，約有三千戶人家受影響，經工作人員搶修，到週一晚午夜時分，大部份人家都有電了。

氣象局人員表示，該局從1950年做記錄以來，薩福克郡還沒出現過龍捲風。之前出現過龍捲風，是1991年，1986年，先後發生在益士石郡（Essex），北波士頓，以及米斗塞郡和波士頓北部及西部。

2011年時，曾有龍捲風掃過麻州中部，導致三人死亡，一千四百戶樓宇受損。週一的這場暴風雨，在某些地區造成的降雨量，甚至高達每小時兩吋。

大波士頓文協夏日郊遊樂 6名歷任會長出席

 大波士頓中華文化協會(GBCCA)參加郊遊者大合照。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市報導) 大波士頓中華文化協會(GBCCA) 廿六日中午在牛頓市阿布岱爾公園(Auburndale Cove Park)野餐，近百人各自圍桌而聚，暢敘家常，跳跳排舞，歡聲笑語不斷。

  文協現任會長冼鳳明（右三），候任會長周映秋（左三）和文協成員左起，胡文冀，
陳玉瑛，吳萍萍，王晶等人展示紅藍綠的夏日顏色。（周菊子攝）

文協新任會長冼鳳明和候任會長周映秋，與該會現任，候任的兩屆幹部，是當天的大功臣。他們不下十人，分工合作，佈置會場，鋪排美食，架設烤爐，既擺出涼粉，炒米粉，還準備了自製漢堡，熱狗，加上現場烤玉米，配上一塊塊厚肉西瓜，整盤整盤的精緻甜點，讓人看著豔麗色彩，就心情大好，吃進嘴裡，覺得有滋有味，就更是笑顏逐開。

全美華人婦女會麻省分會會長黎雯（右四）近年和文協合作密切，郊遊這天特地出席。
（周菊子攝）

文協的夏日郊遊聚餐，也是許多文協資深會員難得的聚會時光。歷屆會長中，1978年的蔣宗壬 ，1994年的陳瑞虹 ，2001年的張越麒 ，2008年的周萬欽 ，2012年的周一男，2013年的黃淑英等，都趕來與老友敘舊。

 文協喜齡會創辦人之一的葛幼梅這天也來和老友敘舊。（周菊子攝）

喜齡會的葛幼梅，趙鍾英，馬滌凡，創辦藝文小集的胡世沛，也都開心的四處和老朋友話家常。

文協今年的會長冼鳳明是在美國長大的年輕一輩會員。由於她年紀雖然還輕，卻在文協裏已經服務多年，又既會講廣東話，越南話，法文，國語，英文更是不在話下的流利，有文協會員悄悄表示，或許這是麻州傳統老僑和所謂新僑的整合良機，也可加強華人社區和主流社會之間的交流。

文協今年的夏日郊遊，還採儀式從簡，玩樂為先作風，除了會長洗鳳明感謝所有工作人員之外，並未安排其他人發言。波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文也只是到會同樂，與出席者閒話家常。

查詢文協詳情，可洽文協辦公室617-332-0377，或上網http://www.gbcca.org。

GOVERNOR PATRICK VISTS QUINCY CAREER CENTER TO CELEBRATE RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE GETTING BACK TO WORK

GOVERNOR PATRICK VISTS QUINCY CAREER CENTER TO CELEBRATE RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE GETTING BACK TO WORK

Commonwealth’s 33 Career Centers Have Served 1.6 million job seekers

QUINCY- Tuesday, July 29, 2014 -- Governor Deval Patrick today toured the Quincy Career Center to promote the range of programs and services offered by the Commonwealth’s 33 one-stop career centers to job seekers across the state. Since Governor Patrick took office, nearly half of the 1.6 million job seekers served by these 33 centers across the state have found gainful employment.

“Massachusetts’ competitive edge lies in our highly-skilled workforce and our willingness to work together to connect workers with employment opportunities,” said Governor Patrick. “The Quincy Career Center, alongside centers from across the state, is an example of how we are choosing to invest in every one of our residents, for today and the future.”

Career centers deliver to job seekers the grants and programs put together by the Commonwealth’s workforce development system. The Patrick Administration’s strategy for creating jobs through targeted investments in education, innovation and infrastructure has paid off and resulted in the creation of more than 100,000 jobs, leading to the highest level of employment in Massachusetts in nearly 25 years. In June, the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.5 percent, the lowest rate since 2008.

“Our career center programing really reflects the changes that today’s job seekers face when they look for 21^st century jobs,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rachel Kaprielian. “Our free seminars, workshops, personal counseling, job fairs and other services help job seekers translate their job skills into new career paths, leverage technology and social media to make personal connections to employers and overcome barriers that can lead to long-term unemployment.”

During the tour of the Quincy Career Center, Governor Patrick sat in on one of the seminars that connect the newly unemployed to services available for job seekers. Quincy is one of the many career centers that offers specialized services for veterans and job seekers with disabilities.  The Quincy Career Center also serves a large Asian population by providing specialized translation services. Last year, more than 4,600 of the Center’s job seekers found employment. 

“Career center staff is trained to provide professional career counseling, but more importantly our service representatives know how to deal compassionately with someone who has just lost their job,” said Alice Sweeney, Director of Career Center Services. “It can be the most devastating time in a person’s working life and the first thing we need to do is help build up their confidence in their skills and experience.”

Among the resources provided by the Patrick Administration and made available to businesses and employers are workforce training grants. These grants enable large and small businesses to retrain their workers and create new jobs. Under Governor Patrick, more than $89.1 million in general workforce training fund grants went to 1,149 projects and 1,217 businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

“One of the reasons our career centers can be so helpful to job seekers is because of the connections we make to local businesses in understanding their labor needs and matching them to people looking for work,” said Don Uvanitte, Chairman of the South Shore Workforce Investment Board, which partners with the Commonwealth in running career centers on the South Shore. “We not only help businesses recruit and hire employees, but we also guide them to state resources that will help their businesses prosper.”

Mayor Walsh appoints Ted Landsmark to BRA/EDIC Board of Directors

Mayor Walsh appoints Ted Landsmark to BRA/EDIC Board of Directors

Brings a wealth of experience in architecture, urban design, civic leadership, and architectural and construction law

 

BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the appointment of Dr. Theodore Landsmark, who has served as President and CEO of Boston Architectural College, to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) Board of Directors. Dr. Landsmark, who holds degrees in environmental design and law, is Mayor Walsh’s first appointment to the BRA/EDIC board, which will fill a currently vacant position. The five-member board meets monthly and is responsible for voting on all final determinations and agreements at the agency, including planning studies, rezoning initiatives, and project permitting.

 

“Ted has proven to be an insightful leader who possesses a great sense for what goes into building successful cities,” said Mayor Walsh. “His dedication to public service has inspired countless others, and I’m excited by the fresh perspective and ideas he will bring to the board.”

 

“After coming through the harsh economic realities of the Great Recession, Boston is well-poised to draw upon the talents of innovators and long-time residents to work together to make this a truly global city,” Dr. Landsmark said. “I share Mayor Walsh’s priorities for making the BRA more open and accountable, and I am honored by the opportunity to help guide the agency into a new era. I look forward to applying my knowledge of architecture, design, and sound fiscal management in shaping the future of development in our city.”

 

At the helm of Boston Architectural College for 17 years, Dr. Landsmark, who attended Yale University and earned a Ph.D. from Boston University, has established himself as an innovative leader with a passion for public service. He has facilitated city planning sessions of the Washington, D.C.-based Mayor’s Institute on City Design, involving mayors’ think tanks in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Santa Fe, and Charleston. He has also served as president of the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

 

Under Dr. Landsmark’s leadership, the Boston Architectural College has been accredited for programs in architecture, landscape and interior architecture, and design studies, and created new programs that focus on global historic preservation, sustainable design, and health and well-being. During his tenure, development revenues quadrupled, enrollment doubled, the operating budget rose substantially, governance was restructured, international students began to be recruited, and community service became a part of the curriculum for all students.

 

Throughout his life and professional career, Dr. Landsmark has been highly engaged in public policy, social justice, and the arts. During the 1980s and 1990s, he held several roles within Boston’s city government, where he directed community partnerships, oversaw workforce training and employment programs, and created initiatives to prevent violence and improve youth opportunities. More recently, Dr. Landsmark has contributed to local civic life by serving on Boston’s Climate Action Leadership Committee and the Green Ribbon Commission.

 

Dr. Landsmark currently serves as a trustee of the American Architectural Foundation, a fellow of the Design Futures Council, and a board member at Historic New England, Historic Boston, the Fund for the Arts, the New England Foundation for the Arts, and the Trustees of Reservations. He is Trustee Emeritus of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

 

He will join Chairman Timothy Burke, Vice Chairman Paul Foster, Treasurer Consuelo Gonzales-Thornell, and Michael Monahan on the BRA/EDIC board. Board members serve staggered five-year terms. The Mayor of Boston appoints four of the five members, and the Governor appoints the remaining member. Dr. Landsmark’s appointment must be confirmed by the City Council.

 

The BRA’s next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 900 at Boston City Hall. More information about the meetings, including agendas, minutes, and video coverage of past meetings, is available on the BRA’s website: www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org. All meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend.

屋斯特商會與波士頓經文處談麻州台灣合作教育商務

麻州屋斯特（Worcester)商會和駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處（TECO）合作，昨（廿八）日在屋斯特大學學生中心舉辦會議，探討麻州和台灣在教育，經濟上進一步合作可能。

            同晚，中華成棒隊和屋斯特勇心隊（Braveheart）舉行友誼賽，邀經文處處長洪慧珠為這屋斯特世界棒球系列的第一場球賽開球。

            中華成棒培訓隊來大波士頓移地訓練，麻州的前任副州長，目前擔任屋斯特商會會長的穆瑞（Timothy P. Murray）安排他們住進屋斯特大學宿舍，邀未來大學棒球聯盟聯繫七場友誼賽，是促成這場麻州台灣教育、經貿會議的主因。

            穆瑞表示，推動創新，發展經濟要靠人才，培訓人才要靠教育，有人口十八萬餘，忝列為紐英崙第二大城市的屋斯特市，很高興有這機會在教育，經濟上，探討與台灣進一步合作的可能。

            穆瑞表示，他接掌屋斯特商會後，一直強調要留住人才，振興地方，孵化企業，接待中華成棒來為屋斯特市開打世界棒球系列，舉辦這會議，將是起步。

            昨日的會議，共分兩個部分，早上談教育，下午談商務。

        駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組組長黃薳玉，屋斯特大學校長馬隆尼（Barry Maloney）等人在“探討台灣的教育機會”講座部分，各自闡述了台灣及屋斯特市的教育狀況。

        馬隆尼指出，屋斯特市一帶有十三所大專院校，三萬五千多名學生，各種科系兼備。自從穆瑞接掌約有二千四百名會員的屋斯特商會後，推動實習計劃，使得該地區學生更能兼顧理論與實用。他坦言該校華裔學生不到1%，在國際化，引進更多華裔學生上，還有很大發展空間。黃薳玉組長提及的全麻州來自台灣學生約僅一千人，足可佐證這發展機會。

昨日下午的經濟發展座談，有駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠，麻州參議員錢朵樂（Harriette Chandler）致詞。經文處經濟組長石大玲和麻州出口中心中部主任Julia Dvorko，麻州國際貿易及投資處商務發展經理Hunter M. Richard等人分別發言。

            麻州參議員錢朵樂（Harriette Chandler）曾應邀訪問台灣，昨日特地出席。她認為台灣和麻州有很多相似處，人口密集，經濟活躍，文化昌明，有很多可以合作的地方。她還特地藉著自己曾到台灣一遊指出，旅遊可以帶動很多其他發展。

            洪慧珠簡介了台灣狀況，台灣與麻州經貿來往概況，以及台灣在政治，經濟上的包容性，有不下一百四十個國家給予免簽證或落地簽證優惠等成就，也說明台灣希望加入泛太平洋合作夥伴（TPP）協議，一旦成為會員，對台美及國際貿易都有好處。

圖片說明：

        波士頓經文處和屋斯特商會合辦會議，左起，商務組長石大玲，麻州外貿中心主任Julia Dvorko，屋斯特商會會長Tim Murray，經文處長洪慧珠，屋斯特大學校長馬隆尼（Barry Maloney），ＭOITI經理Hunter M. Richard等人發言。（菊子攝）

            經文處長洪慧珠闡述台灣經貿外交概況。（菊子攝）

            麻州參議員錢朵樂（Harriette Chandler）曾帶隊赴台灣。（菊子攝）

            包括華美銀行資深副總裁李康美，Donna Barry，副總裁林志超，昨日有不少人出席。（菊子攝）

石大玲詳述台灣麻州經貿關係

麻州屋斯特（Worcester)商會和駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處（TECO）合作，昨（廿八）日在屋斯特大學學生中心舉辦會議。麻州出口中心主任Julia Dvorko報告出驚人數據，麻州龍蝦出口到台灣的數量，增長了近八千倍。

昨日的這經貿座談，有經濟組長石大玲和麻州出口中心中部主任Julia Dvorko，麻州國際貿易及投資處商務發展經理Hunter M. Richard等人中分別發言。

麻州國際貿易及投資處商務發展經理Hunter M. Richard表示，他個人曾經訪問台灣兩次，目前是該辦公室負責亞洲事物。他指出，該辦公室同時負責處理州長的貿易代表團，現任麻州州長迄今已率貿易訪問團出國十四次，但其中還未包括台灣。

石大玲的發言最長。他以“台灣和麻州的貿易及投資”為主題，用了三十頁幻燈片，頗為詳盡地就台灣基本概況，目前的雙邊貿易及投資狀況，台灣外貿及經濟驅動力的最近發展，人們和台灣做生意可以獲得的支援和工具等五方面做闡述。

他指出，台灣的經濟表現在過去十五年間有起有伏，GDP成長最高時達到10.76%，最低時曾出現過負成長，今年上半年的數據為3/14%，和全世界的GDP成長度持平。以世貿組織今年四月的排名來看，台灣的2013年商品貿易出口在全世界排名第廿，進口第十八。服務貿易出口第廿六，進口第三十。在BERI的投資環境危險度評估上，台灣的獲利機會在全世界排名第三。競爭力排名第十二。整體商業環境排名第十六。

石大玲指出，台灣的人均個人生產總值（Per capita GDP），在2013年時為美金20958元，但購買力卻等於美金39854元，在全世界排名第七，可証台灣雖小，實力仍不可小覷。截至今年五月，台灣的失業率為3.85%。

石大玲在闡述台灣與美國的進出口貿易關係，說明台灣是美國第十二大貿易夥伴，第十六大出口夥伴等概況後，也說明台灣和麻州的貿易關係，包括台灣是麻州的第十一大出口夥伴，第十三大進口夥伴。麻州出口到台灣的最大宗類別是機械零件，總額約為五億元，佔對台總出口額的59.87%，其次為光電，醫療或手術用品等。麻州從台灣進口的最大宗物品是用于電視，音響系統等的電子機械設備，總額約一億五千八百萬元，佔26.63%。

石大玲提醒出席者，台灣商務環境的最近變化，包括2010年六月，台灣和中國大陸簽署了ECFA（海峽兩岸經濟合作架構協議），2013年又和紐西蘭，新加坡簽署了FTA（自由貿易協定），目前正在推動加入TPP (泛太平洋和左夥伴)，以及RCEP(東南亞區域全面經濟夥伴協定)。中華經濟研究院最近的一份研就顯示，台灣加入成為TPP會員，美國的社會福利可增加154億元，GDP成長也至少可以增加0.1%。

在問答時間中，美國小企業行政局（SBA）專員伍少武問台灣做了什麼，能讓失業率這麼低。石大玲表示，台灣的失業率從未高過2.5%，3.85%已經非常高了。目前政府在積極鼓勵發展新事業，生物，醫療器材，服務業，以及青少年創業。估計，經濟要轉型，仍需五到十年。目前的失業率不算好。

圖片說明：

            經濟組長石大玲的報告，從台灣在哪裡說起。（菊子攝）

            經濟座談有三人發言，屋斯特商會會長穆瑞（右二）主持。（菊子攝）