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星期二, 3月 03, 2015

至孝篤親公所迎新春 市議會議長獻歌

紐英崙至孝篤親公所幹部與瑞獅合影。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙至孝篤親公所二月廿八日晚在帝苑大酒樓,龍鳳酒樓,席開百桌上下的慶祝羊年新春,聯邦參議員,波士頓市長等政要冠蓋雲集。
            當晚嘉賓眾多,但儀式簡單隆重,李氏醒獅隊三頭瑞獅齊舞,採青獻吉後,由波士頓市議會議長林乃肯(Bill Linehan)領唱美國國歌,接著主席,嘉賓致詞,僑胞享用春宴。
麻州眾議員黃子安(左),麥家威(右)頒發表揚狀給至孝篤親公所,由兩名主席
陳偉民(右二),陳文珊(左二)代表接受。(周菊子攝)

            林乃肯唱完後自己打趣,出席僑胞也說,市議會議長為僑團春宴唱國歌,可是走遍全美都找不到的創舉。當晚會出現這一幕,一是林乃肯的歌聲之好,僑社中早已聞名,其次則是至篤親公所今年的主席之一陳偉民,是林乃肯的幕僚長。
            至孝篤親公所今年的主席,陳偉民、陳文珊,都是本地出生,年僅四十上下的年輕人,當晚的春宴慶祝,也安排得儀式簡單,更注重圍桌團聚者的暢談敘舊。主席台上也改成主席的至親家人,以示回歸中國傳統的過年家庭團聚。
            至孝篤親公所春宴會上冠蓋雲集,嘉賓眾多,倒並未改變。
 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪,雲雯蓁夫婦(右)和聯邦參議員
伊莉莎白沃倫夫婦(左)在至孝篤親春宴上相遇,合影。(
周菊子攝)
            當晚出席的政要,包括聯邦參議員伊莉莎白沃倫(Elizabeth Warren),麻州眾議員卡普阿諾(Mike Capuano),麻州眾議員黃子安,麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz),薩福克郡治安官湯普金,波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh),市長幕僚長高丹尼,波士頓市議會議長林乃肯(Bill Linehan),波士頓消防局局長Joseph Finn,波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu),波士頓警察局局長伊凡斯(William Evans),波士頓警察局A-1區警長鄺志強(Ken Fong,原姓梅),駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪,副處長陳銘俊,波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文,紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦等十幾人。
    紐英崙至孝篤親公所兩名主席陳偉民(左一),陳文珊(右一)和和聯邦參議員
伊莉莎白沃倫(左二)在至孝篤親春宴上合影。(
周菊子攝)
            波士頓市長馬丁華殊因有其他要事,當晚九點多才出席,簡單致詞後,應邀走場和出席僑胞合影。
            聯邦參議員沃倫是在夫婿及她的麻州主任劉煒陪同下,六點半左右就趕到會場,和公所元老陳毓禮的家人,好友,包括阮陳金鳳,陳毓璇,陳兆文,帝苑大酒樓東主黃官羨,余風采堂主席余國華夫婦等人握手寒暄打招呼。見到抱著滿月沒多久的兒子出席的吳弭,更是高興地抱起來,要求合影。
            在帝苑大酒樓這邊的春宴,由婦女組的陳黃小蘭主持。龍鳳酒樓那兒,則由陳廣漢,陳國航主持。



聯邦參議員伊莉莎白沃倫(中)在至孝篤親春宴上和陳毓禮(右二),
阮陳金鳳母女(左一,二),以及陳余寶愛合影。(
菊子攝)
            

         

中華民俗藝術工作坊 本週五赴Weston高中演出

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)中華民俗藝術工作今年又好忙,從元旦起就馬不停蹄的赴各地演出,日前還再應羅德島華人協會之邀,為該會迎接乙未羊年演出。
本週五(6日)晚間七點半,該團將應衛斯丁高中(Weston)邀請,前往該校表演廳演出,
中華民俗藝術工作坊團長張昆透露,今年一開春,從鱈魚角的第一夜( Chatham First Night),春田市的春節聯歡,波士頓維多利亞藝術中心(Villa Victoria Art Center),麻州以斯維其藝術廳(Ipswich Art Center) ,衛藍高中(Wayland High School),麻州琵琶地博物館(Peabody Essex Museum),以及羅德島州的羅德島華人協會,該團應邀前往各地,表演了十幾場,每場都仍然有很多人以前還沒看過這麼精彩的中華文化演出,讓他們深感欣慰,看到觀眾們熱烈鼓掌時,頓然覺得所有的辛勞都彷彿化為烏有。
            中華民俗藝術工作坊在成立有年後,目前赴外演出,和邀約單位通常都有默契,至少排半小時到一個多小時的演出,以期演員們能一氣呵成,觀眾們也可真正欣賞到個中精彩。
表演的節目,通常包括舞龍、舞獅、台灣戰鼓、舞蹈與扯鈴。其中台灣優人神鼓傳授的「鼓動」,一般放在開場,藉隆隆鼓聲,先震撼一下觀眾感覺,接著女團員的「紅梅踏雪」出場。亮麗古典的服裝、曼妙的少女舞姿,常讓觀眾看得痴迷。
扯鈴表演,幾乎總是演出高潮之一,尤其是螢光扯鈴的特殊效果,常讓觀眾驚嘆。螢光舞龍也是該團最具特色的拿手好戲,
三頭瑞獅的熱鬧出場,舞出了迎春納福,歡天喜地的年節熱鬧氣氛。
張昆表示,中華民俗藝術工作坊以傳統民俗技藝為元素,加入舞蹈、音樂、燈光、服裝、舞台技術及視覺特效,創造出別具一格的中華民俗文化節目。他很感謝學員們的努力,學員家長們的支持,才能一舉數得的既在海外宣揚中華文化,也給學員們學習民俗技藝,培養團隊精神,結交一生好友的機會。
六日晚,他們在衛斯丁高中(Weston)演出時,工作坊的家長們還將教做傳統手工藝教學,歡迎有興趣者前往觀賞。
            中華民俗藝術坊的表演節目,形色俱佳。(所有圖由中華民俗藝術工作坊提供)

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO FACE INCREASED FINES FOR SNOW VIOLATIONS UNDER MAYOR WALSH PROPOSAL

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO FACE INCREASED FINES FOR SNOW VIOLATIONS UNDER MAYOR WALSH PROPOSAL


BOSTON -  March 2, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today filed a Home Rule Petition to raise the amount of fines that can be levied for snow infractions against property owners, and increase the cap on fines for these offenses to be from $300 to $1,500. Under the petition, unpaid fines will be added to property tax bills if they go unpaid.  If the state grants this authority, the Mayor will file an Ordinance updating the City’s snow fine structure. The potential change would consider both commercial and residential property owners.

“Illegally dumping snow onto public roads severely worsens an already challenging snow removal process, compounds our workload, raises our costs and increases safety risks for drivers. Failing to remove snow from a sidewalk puts lives at danger. It’s a problem for every pedestrian, but it is especially difficult for our children, for the disabled, and for the elderly to face deep, unshoveled sidewalks, and be forced to walk in the road,” said Mayor Walsh. “I urge the City Council and state officials to move this legislation which grants us the authority to deter these violations, hold accountable those who are guilty, and recoup some of the added costs that these violations create. Snow clean up has to be a team and community effort, and we need to work together."

City Snow Regulations:
  • Commercial entities and residents must not plow or shovel snow onto the roads at any point.
  • Remove snow, slush, and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting your property within 3 hours of snowfall ending (or 3 hours from sunrise if snow falls overnight) as required by law. Violators will be fined.
  • Remove snow, slush, and ice from the full paved width of the sidewalk and curb ramp or a minimum path of 42 inches wide. Narrow paths encumber carriages and wheelchairs, and properly cleared pathways ensure flow and safety of pedestrian traffic.
  • Remove ice to bare pavement or make as level as possible and treat with sand, sawdust or similar material.
  • Please clear any snow that may be blocking handicapped ramps, fire hydrants or catch basins.
A Home Rule Petition is necessary because cities and towns may only impose fines of not more than $300.00 unless special authority is granted by the legislature.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RORY CUDDYER AS STARTUP MANAGER

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RORY CUDDYER AS STARTUP MANAGER 
Will lead efforts to unify and bolster ecosystem for Boston’s entrepreneurs

BOSTON – At his January State of the City Address, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the creation of StartHub, a regional program to support the startup community and help entrepreneurs grow their ideas and businesses in Boston. Rory Cuddyer, a member of Mayor Walsh’s administration, who previously served as advisor to Chief of Staff Dan Koh, has been selected to lead this effort under the direction of the Chief of Economic Development John Barros and the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). The BRA’s Board of Director’s approved Rory’s hire at its meeting last Thursday.

“I am excited for Rory to take on this new challenge. He has been a valuable asset on my team, and his experience working with businesses and helping to shape our economic development policy make him an ideal fit for the role,” said Mayor Walsh. “Startups should be able to thrive in every neighborhood of Boston, not just a select few. Rory will help us realize our vision for spreading this entrepreneurial spirit across the city.”

In his role as startup manager, Rory will work with higher education institutions, incubator programs, startups, and community development organizations to create partnerships to improve business conditions in Boston. He will serve as the Mayor’s liaison to the startup community and existing innovation centers, such as District Hall in the South Boston Waterfront and the soon-to-open incubator space in the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building. He will also coordinate with the city’s Main Streets program to support outreach to local small businesses.

In addition to making policy recommendations and providing outreach to key stakeholders and residents, Rory will be tasked with establishing and maintaining a database of commercial real estate brokers, developers, and landowners to help fledgling businesses find office space.

“I have seen firsthand the impact that Mayor Walsh believes the startup community in Boston and the surrounding region will have on our economic growth for years to come,” said Cuddyer. “I look forward to working in tandem with the community to ensure that the needs of startups are understood and that our policies contribute to and assist in the innovation economy’s continued growth.”

Rory previously advised on the process to secure an operator for the Roxbury Innovation Center in the Bolling Municipal Building. He also coordinated with several city departments to develop the initial foundation for StartHub, and he has assisted Chief Barros in creating a clear and strong vision for economic development in Boston.

Rory is a graduate of Boston College and lives in South Boston. He currently serves as the Mayor’s Office representative to the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID) Board of Directors.

星期一, 3月 02, 2015

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2015 BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANT WINNERS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2015 BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANT WINNERS

Supporting a diverse group of arts programming across the City of Boston

BOSTON - March 2, 2015 - Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that 137 organizations and institutions supporting arts and culture in the City of Boston were awarded $303,476 by the Boston Cultural Council (BCC). The grant winners represent the diversity of Boston’s arts community from the visual arts to theater, film and video, music, dance, and the humanities.  The BCC received 151 applications for the 2015 grant round.

“We’re working towards making Boston the country’s municipal arts leader, and we can’t do it without supportive and committed partners,” said Mayor Walsh. “Funding is often a hurdle for cultural organizations, and I’m proud that we doubled our Boston Cultural Council funds this year. Congratulations to all of the grant recipients, and thank you for your contributions to a thriving, healthy, innovative Boston.”

"Support from the Boston Cultural Council is crucial to organizations like ours, and helps us develop and implement the artistic and educational work that serves our community of artists, students, and audience," said Jennifer Johnson, co-director of the Charlestown Working Theater.

The BCC falls under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and annually distributes funds allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, to support innovative arts, humanities and interpretive sciences programming that enhances the quality of life in our city. In 2015 the MCC awarded the City of Boston $163,080, and Mayor Walsh nearly matched those funds. In 2014 the MCC awarded the City of Boston $144,419, with the City adding additional funding to distribute a total of $152,020 via the BCC to 55 of the 75 applicants.

The BCC is comprised of 13 Boston residents appointed by Mayor Walsh to serve for up to six years each. The BCC reviews grant applications  annually  in the fall to evaluate the overall quality of proposed programming and its potential benefit to diverse audiences in neighborhoods throughout Boston.

Mayor Walsh believes the arts are crucial to both expressing and achieving the vision of a thriving, healthy, innovative Boston. Since taking office, Mayor Walsh has taken steps to improve the artist permitting process; revived the poet laureate program, naming Danielle Legros Georges Boston’s Poet Laureate; and appointed Julie Burros the City’s first Chief of Arts and Culture in more than two decades, elevating the conversation about the arts to the highest level of City government. Over the next year and a half the Chief of Arts and Culture will guide a cultural planning process for the city, which will build a long-term strategy for enriching and strengthening civic life through the arts.

Attached is a list of the 2015 grantees.

BPS outlines further steps to balance FY16 budget

BPS outlines further steps to balance FY16 budget

BOSTON – Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent John McDonough today released an 
update to the district’s efforts to balance the FY16 budget, which includes a limited number of school 
and program closures at the end of the current school year. Superintendent McDonough and BPS senior 
staff will meet with families of students who attend the impacted schools and program this week.  

Proposed for closure are Elihu Greenwood Leadership Academy and the Rogers Middle School in 
Hyde Park; Community Academy in Jamaica Plain; Middle School Academy in South Boston; and 
West Roxbury Academy.  Middle School Academy and Community Academy will also undergo a 
program redesign process.

Contributing to the district’s fiscal gap are annual increased costs that continue to rise at a pace faster 
than the increase in revenues. Mayor Martin J. Walsh has committed to increasing the district’s budget 
between 3-4% over the current year’s budget. 

"In order for us to give all of our students the opportunity to succeed, it is imperative that we are using 
our resources as efficiently as possible," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "The decision to close schools has 
been a difficult one to make, but I am confident it will strengthen our school system to better serve our 
young people for generations to come."   

BPS used a set of criteria that included enrollment trends, school choice (how families ranked school options)
data, and academic performance to develop the recommended list of schools. The district also considered the 
financial sustainability of Community Academy and Middle School Academy, which offer alternative education 
options to students who are referred to the programs, emphasizing that BPS’ commitment to the quality and 
intensity of support for students will not waiver. The Boston School Committee will make a final decision on 
the Superintendent’s proposal on March 25.

Informational meetings for families of students attending the impacted schools will take place at each of the 
schools on Monday evening, March 2 and again on Thursday evening, March 5.  Parents, students, staff and 
community members will also be able to comment on the recommendations at an upcoming School Committee 
meeting on March 4, and at upcoming budget hearings, scheduled for March 9 and 11.

“To invest in areas that will most impact student success, the district must make difficult decisions,” said 
Michael O’Neill, chair of the Boston School Committee. “I know that these recommendations do not come lightly 
and the School Committee looks forward to discussing them as part of the full proposal and to hearing directly 
from those who would be impacted.”

“If we don’t take action now, we will continue to stretch our resources too thin and put in jeopardy every school 
in every corner of this city; we would put all students at risk.  This is not an acceptable option,” said Superintendent 
McDonough. “We are committed to being with families and students every step of the way, from providing help for 
making new school choices to supporting their transitions to new schools next fall, to investing in strategies that can 
help all students succeed.”

More information on the list of recommended school closures, including a video message from the Superintendent, 
a schedule of family meetings, and an FAQ can be found on the BPS website: www.bostonpublicschools.org.  
Feedback on the proposal may be sent via email to BPSFeedback@bostonpublicschools.org.

Two Airlines Will Move from Terminal A to Terminal C

Two Airlines Will Move from Terminal A to Terminal C


BOSTON – The Massachusetts Port Authority today announced that two airlines, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country Airlines, will move their operations at Boston Logan from Terminal A to Terminal C on Wednesday, March 4th. All departures and arrivals for the airlines from then on will be at Terminal C. All airport signage will be updated to reflect the new information.

Alaska’s fleet of Boeing 737s fly to three destinations (Seattle, Portland and San Diego) from Logan four times a day in winter, five times a day in the summer season. The airlines’ last departure from Terminal A will be on March 3rd; their first operation at Terminal C will be an arrival on March 4th.

Sun Country also uses Boeing 737s to connect Boston Logan to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, the airline’s hub airport, four times a week in the winter, three times a week in the summer season. Sun Country’s operations will arrive and depart Terminal A as normal on March 3rd; their next operations will occur on March 5th from Terminal C.

Boston Logan, a short distance from the intersection of Route 128 and I-90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 75 domestic and 43 international destinations and in 2014 handled 31.6 million passengers. Boston Logan is served by two public transit lines and is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety. Over the past decade, the airport spent $4.5 billion on a modernization program that includes new terminals, public transportation access, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, and has been transformed into a world-class 21st Century facility.  The airport generates $8 billion in total economic impact each year.
###

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $9 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.

昆市慶羊年 千人同歡 市長選戰露端倪

亞協服務中心QARI昨(在北昆士高中慶祝羊年新春,以巨大“福”字歡迎絡繹不絕的數以千計到會民眾。
            昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch),諾福克郡(Norfolk)地方檢察官莫瑞賽Michael Morissey),麻州參議員約翰基南(John Kenan),麻州眾議員陳德基,艾耶斯(Bruce Ayers)等政要和亞協服務中心會長阮艾碧(譯音,Abby Hieu Nguyen-Burke),執委張永鏗等人在巨大的“新年吉祥”海報前,排排坐的一起向民眾拜年。
            今年的昆市農曆新年慶祝會,由富士(Fuji)集團東主梁戰士,以及Joel Buenaventura出任共同主席,林淑明任舞台監督,Carrie Jie Sunde和岑敏兒任司儀。
            表演節目改由李氏公所的興龍武術團舞獅表演,拉開序幕,美國第四十二童軍及幼童軍團再度出列主持升旗儀式,藉以象徵亞裔移民融入美國社會。
            主舞台的慶祝表演,不下廿二項,種類繁多,武術、功夫方面,有昆士,Best兩個跆拳道學校,波士頓少林功夫的示範;樂器部分,有韓國傳統鼓舞,鼓武道的日本太鼓,亞特蘭達青年管樂團,中華公所鼓樂隊表演。舞蹈節目最多,有Ivy課後班兒童舞蹈,華夏藝術團,波士頓元極舞聯誼會,愛爾蘭舞蹈, 菲律賓舞蹈, 波士頓中國舞蹈學校,美東紐英崙養生舞,明珠舞蹈學校,波士頓中國鄉土舞蹈團,君子樓長者舞蹈團,王氏青少年舞蹈團,樂舞族,劍橋中國文化中心,新星演藝學校,西木(Westwood)中文學校等。
            會場的第二舞台,照例有廣東音藝社演唱粵曲,逛累了的人,可以進禮堂坐,邊欣賞廣東戲曲,邊休息。二樓側廳,是文化專區,有劉曉勇現場教畫羊,也有紐英崙華人歷史協會擺攤做“開放日”,邀民眾認識該會,欣賞麻省理工學院榮休教授李燦輝等人製作的“華埠圖冊”展。
            會場內的展示攤位,包括昆士市政府擺出的選民登記攤,萬家網,中華頤養院,塔芙茨醫療中心,紐約人壽等,總數不下五,六十,其中專櫃化妝品攤就有不下四個,透露昆市亞裔人口已受主流社會關注的現實。
            去年是麻州的州級選舉年,有州長候選人出現。今年是市級選舉年,昆市也要改選市長,已宣佈參選者,昆市學校委員會委員馬洪妮(Anne Mahoney),不分區市議員古楚(Doug Gutro)昨日都現身會場。
        昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)表示,昆士市長一職,將從明年起改為一任四年,薪資也將跳升為十五萬餘元,難免引起更多人的參選興趣,但他對自己的政績很有信心。

圖片說明:

            亞協服務中心(QARI)行政主任約翰波德(後右一)與昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)(前右五)等嘉賓在儀式結束後合影。(菊子攝)

            Ivy課後班小朋友表演舞蹈。(菊子攝)

            亞協服務中心的青少年義工們製作的慶祝羊年裝飾。(菊子攝)

            商家促銷扮財神,市民歡喜邀合影,(菊子攝)

            中華頤養院工作人員阮奕云(左)和董事陳遇均(右)在展示攤位前。(菊子攝)


            紐約人壽公司的陳偉健(右起),黃潔玲,王晶等人在會場擺攤介紹產品。(菊子攝)