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星期四, 4月 02, 2015

新康樂樓預定下週竣工 舊中華頤養院取得翻修許可

中華耆英會,波士頓華人佈道會昨(一)日在波士頓華埠治安委員會中宣佈喜訊,康樂樓擴建工程,預計下週竣工,中華頤養院舊址已可進行翻修。
            波士頓華埠治安委員會昨日出席者不少,但議程清淡,在例行的警察局罪案紀錄報告之外,只有一宗陳情案。
            BBR公司的Joe Conniea與律師Paul Johnson昨日陳述,該公司計畫在尼倫街64號,製作30呎的巨型螢幕廣告,所有的電力將由該公司承擔等等。出席會議者之一的李衛新表示,這樣的廣告將使尼倫街變得有時代廣場,和波士頓華埠特性不合。
            波士頓市警察局A-1區警長鄺志強(Ken Fong)昨(一)日表示,上個月華埠平靜,但因波市流民收容所的狀況變化,南、北車站附近流民活動增多。
            上個月,波士頓華埠共發生三宗搶劫案,三宗惡性攻擊案,一宗侵入案,二宗汽車偷盜案,七宗小規模破車而入偷盜案,三宗移動車輛傾罪案,一七七宗移動車輛違規案,發出五十九章停車罰單。
            鄺志強表示,在必珠街,華盛頓街都有車輛被匪徒傾入,取走電腦,手袋等物品的案件。前晚在必珠街和林肯街交界處,還發生一宗惡意攻擊案,受害者表示有人向他暗示有槍,要他交錢出來,他沒理會的逕自走開,那人竟拿酒瓶打他。
            鄺志強指出,因為政府最近准許流民在南,北車站逗留,附近一帶的流民活動增多,民眾宜加強注意自身安全。
            中華耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬在會上報告好消息,康樂樓擴建工程,預計下週竣工,益士石街上的街道,終於可以恢復寬敞。
            波士頓華人佈道會陳卓明牧師也高興透露,該會買下的中華頤養院舊址,終於取得牌照,可以進行翻修工程了。
            華埠王氏青年會行政主任Patricia Barnwell報告,該會將於四月廿六日舉辦每年一度的“健康兒童日(Healthy Kids)“。
            司徒玉貞報告,波士頓亮晶晶的大掃除活動,預定五月二日舉行。

圖片說明:

            波士頓警察局A-1區社區小組長陳孔恩(左起),警長鄺志強(Ken Fong),陳灼鋆,雷國輝,梅伍銀寬,司徒玉貞等人在治安委員會中坐在同一排。(菊子攝)

            BBR公司的Joe Conniea(左)與律師Paul Johnson(右)說明熒幕廣告概況。(菊子攝)


            BBR公司的Joe Conniea(左)說明熒幕廣告概況。(菊子攝)

星期三, 4月 01, 2015

僑務委員會「2015年網路店面行銷實務班」簡介

僑務委員會「2015年網路店面行銷實務班」簡介

一、    研習目的:
協助僑營企業掌握經營環境變遷及電子商務發展之契機,及運用網路行銷策略與經營管理實務,以提升僑營企業經營能力,並促進與國內業者之商機交流。
二、    研習時間:2015622日至73(週日不上課)
三、    報名截止日期:2015424
四、    主辦單位:僑務委員會
五、    承辦單位:社團法人中華民國全國中小企業總會。
六、    報到及研習地點:臺北市進出口商業同業公會大樓會議中心(臺北市松江路350號)。
七、    研習對象:
20歲以上至65歲,通曉中文並熟悉網路環境,有意創業或提升僑營事業績效之海外僑商,並以近兩年未曾參加本會經貿研習班者為優先。
八、    研習課程內容及時數:
實際研習日程計11天,研習總時數合計至少70內容包含網路店面經營實務、行銷策略規劃、實際案例解析、邀請業者進行經營成功技法及經驗分享等,並安排參訪觀摩國內相關企業。

報名表件請向波士頓華僑文教服務中心索取或逕自本會網站(www.ocac.gov.tw首頁/公告事項/開班或全球僑商服務網(www.ocbn.org.tw首頁/僑商培訓邀訪/最新預告)下載。
波士頓華僑文教服務中心Tel617-965-8801Fax: 617-965-8815

MASSACHUSETTS DOCTOR AND MEDICAL PRACTICE RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY STRESS TESTS

MASSACHUSETTS DOCTOR AND MEDICAL PRACTICE RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY STRESS TESTS
 
BOSTON –A Massachusetts cardiologist and his practice entered into an agreement with the United States yesterday to resolve allegations that they improperly billed Medicare for medically unnecessary stress tests.
 
Primary Care Specialists, Inc., and Terrence C. Hack, M.D. agreed to pay $24,000 to resolve the government’s claim that Dr. Hack and Primary Care Specialists improperly billed Medicare for medically unnecessary myocardial perfusion studies, also known as nuclear stress tests, in violation of the False Claims Act.  Performing these unnecessary stress tests results in patients’ needless exposure to radiation as well as wasting Medicare dollars.  Dr. Hack is a cardiologist licensed in Massachusetts, and Primary Care Specialists, Inc. is his Ayer, Mass. practice.  In agreeing to settle this claim, Dr. Hack has not admitted liability.
 
“We protect the integrity of Medicare by scrutinizing billing practices that burden the Medicare fund, such as when reimbursement is sought for medically unnecessary tests,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.  “We take every opportunity to investigate, eliminate, and deter waste and fraud in this vital government program.”
 
This matter was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  It was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sonya A. Rao and Rosemary Connolly, Chief of Ortiz’s Civil Division.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE PARKBOSTON EXPANSION FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL BACK BAY PILOT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE PARKBOSTON EXPANSION FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL BACK BAY PILOT


BOSTON - April 1, 2015 - Today, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the expansion of the ParkBoston app to include all Boston parking meters. The app allows drivers to quickly and easily remotely pay a meter with their mobile phone, avoiding the hassle of finding quarters or running back to the meter to add more time before it expires.  

During a nine-week pilot program, launched in January 2015 in a portion of the Back Bay, the ParkBoston app was downloaded over 15,000 times and facilitated over 12,000 parking transactions. Based on this success, the City expects to complete the expansion of ParkBoston to all other meters by the end of summer 2015. This announcement follows on Mayor Walsh’s announcement last week focused on improving transportation across the City through innovative design, programs, and technology.

“Last week I said we cannot delay making innovative improvements to our transportation system,” said Mayor Walsh.  “Thousands of Bostonians have already embraced this new and convenient technology, and expanding this service throughout the city will make the experience of paying for parking easier for each and every user.”

During the pilot, the Boston Transportation Department has worked closely with Passport, an industry leader in mobile payments, to design a smooth and seamless parking experience for users.

“The community has really embraced ParkBoston, and we are excited to be bringing this type of innovation to more people so quickly,” said Gina Fiandaca, Commissioner of the Boston Transportation Department. “This is one of the first steps we are taking in overhauling the parking experience in Boston.”

Both ParkBoston decals applied to parking meters and on-street signage will let drivers know where the new service is in effect. Its expansion to the City of Boston’s 8,000+ metered parking spaces in three phases is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2015. The first phase will begin installation this week, consisting of the remaining spaces in the Back Bay and throughout the Fenway/Kenmore area. The second phase will consist of spaces throughout Downtown, Beacon Hill, the West End, North End, and Charlestown. The final phase will include South Boston, the South End, Mission Hill, Allston, and Brighton. ParkBoston payment will become an available option for parkers as soon as the signs and decals are installed on each block.

Last week Mayor Walsh announced that the Boston Transportation Department would be seeking to upgrade all parking meters to new intelligent devices. The ParkBoston app and new smart meters will work together to provide the City with parking data to manage the space at the curb more effectively. It will also provide users with a wide variety of choices in payment from smartphone to credit cards to coins.

Smartphone users can take advantage of the new service by going to park.boston.gov to create an account. iPhone and Android users can also get the free ParkBoston app through the App Store or Google Play. A pay-by-voice option is also available for those without web-enabled phones.  To learn more, please visit park.boston.gov.

The pilot phase of Park Boston was supported by the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, Mayor Walsh's civic innovation team.  Identifying and implementing ways to improve Boston's streetscape for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers is one of the office's core areas of focus.  Recent collaborations with the Boston Transportation Department have included the TicketZen app to make it easier to pay parking tickets, a data partnership with Waze to improve traffic flow, and vehicle sideguards pilot that led to the a nation-leading safety ordinance for large vehicles performing city contracts.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS 
FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BOSTON - April 1, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the appointment of Richard Weir as Chief of Communications for Boston Public Schools. In this position, Weir will be responsible for stewarding communications for all schools within the Boston Public School system, overseeing media relations, web publishing, social media and district publications. Weir currently serves as City Hall Bureau Chief for the Boston Herald. Weir will join the City of Boston on April 13

The Boston School Committee recently voted to name Dr. Tommy Chang as the next Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Dr. Chang will begin on July 1

"Rich Weir is a professional and experienced reporter who has covered Boston in the press for more than six years," Mayor Walsh said. "He knows our neighborhoods inside and out and he is more than familiar with our school system. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Rich as a reporter and I have seen first-hand his passion for making Boston a better city. I am excited to bring his knowledge and integrity to Boston Public Schools and I look forward to having him on our team."

With more than two decades of experience as a newspaper reporter in Boston, New York and Maine, Weir has been recognized through numerous press awards for deadline, feature and analytical writing. Writing for the Boston Herald, he has covered the last two mayoral elections and produced in-depth investigative articles on a range of issues and governmental agencies. 

Weir also worked as a writer for the City Section of the New York Times before moving to the New York Daily News in 2000 to serve as a police reporter. In this position, Weir covered major crime and breaking news stories, including the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Weir is a frequent guest on Boston Herald Radio and was featured in the book, "The Elements of Story," written by former New York Times columnist and editor Francis Flaherty, for his instinct in finding enterprising story ideas. 

Weir graduated from Clark University in 1989 and earned a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1992. 

Join AARP Webinar about Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Age 50-plus

Join AARP Webinar about
Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Age 50-plus

Tuesday, April 7 at 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiZ3A1qyh2HsDJsuo5QwGfv4s9A8yBs27qD74Zj-A8kTIgKlahcbBhkMoJD_ugl_McPxK-OL0SHuSZR5mQEzWEv-k5XCktaO1nnBX2Gq-TvQGm7ReuZM1QJpqQTMJQHrP4ETdgN8CRb8tq4u41URr3I6xKkbCLiMEU0SLqscN9qATrKyL0MmpRvHS4Iln4I7OpeOKcMiX13zQkotYIz5n-BpQ=s0-d-e1-ft

Please join AARP for a webinar to discuss recent research about key issue areas— caregiving, economic security, health and healthcare— impacting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) age 50-plus on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 from 2:00 - 3:00pm ET.

Panelists will discuss AARP’s recent research (available for free download at aarp.org/aapi), including data that AAPIs age 50-plus:
  • Are more likely to provide caregiving for older family members at home
  • Appear more financially secure than the general population, but many more Asian ethnic groups are at or below poverty levels compared to the general population of the same age
  • Lack health insurance and access to quality, affordable health care compared to other Americans the same age

PANELISTS:
  • Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President, Multicultural Markets & Engagement for Asian  American and Pacific Islander Audience
  • Dr. Xenia Montenegro, AARP Research Team Lead for Multicultural Markets
  • Angela Houghton, AARP Research, Senior Research Advisor

DATE:     Tuesday, April 7, 2015

TIME:     2:00pm – 3:00pm ET / 11:00am – 12:00pm PT

WEBEX:

          (No password required)

CALL-IN:     Dial 1-866-215-3402 and use Conference Code 434 634 5

TREASURER GOLDBERG NAMES SUE PEREZ TO LEAD DEBT DEPARTMENT

TREASURER GOLDBERG NAMES SUE PEREZ TO LEAD DEBT DEPARTMENT
Veteran Financial Expert Will Manage Commonwealth’s Debt

BOSTON – April 1, 2015 - Today Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg named Sue Perez to lead the Commonwealth’s Debt Management department as Assistant Treasurer.
 “I am thrilled to have Sue serve in this new capacity at Treasury,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “I am confident that her in-depth experience and financial background will serve the people of Massachusetts well.”
Sue Perez currently serves as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (MCWT) and will maintain that position as she assumes her new role overseeing the Commonwealth’s Debt department as Assistant Treasurer. Perez has been Executive Director of the MCWT since March of 2012. Since that time she has guided the MCWT through two successful new money bond issuances, totaling approximately $948 million, including the most recent issuance of $228 million in green bonds and two refunding series totaling approximately $690 million.
Perez has over 25 years of experience in accounting, audit and financial management. She has been the Senior Finance Director for a $3.4 billion service company, and at the other end of the spectrum was one of the initial members of a start-up company with the responsibility of establishing the finance and human resources departments.
Perez was an auditor at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, during which time she received her CPA. A graduate of the Boston University School of Management, Perez resides in Foxboro with her husband, Rolando, and her two children, Julia and Sam. She has her black belt degree in karate and is a commissioner for the Foxboro Housing Authority.
A businesswoman, local official and community leader, Deborah Goldberg was elected state treasurer in 2014 on a platform to protect taxpayer dollars, bring new levels of transparency to state government and advance policies that break down barriers and create economic empowerment.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SOUTH BOSTON COMMUNITY MEETINGS REGARDING EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION RECONFIGURATION

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SOUTH BOSTON COMMUNITY MEETINGS REGARDING EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION RECONFIGURATION  
City will engage community to discuss if one way streets will become permanent

BOSTON - Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston will host two community meetings to discuss the future of the South Boston Emergency Transportation Reconfiguration (ETR) with residents.

April 28, 2015, 6:30 p.m. 
Condon Elementary School 
200 D Street

May 6, 2015, 6:30 p.m. 
Tynan Elementary School 
650 E 4th Street

The ETR which took effect February 14 is extended through June 1, 2015. The ETR has configured several streets in South Boston to one-way only in an effort to improve public safety following the historic amount of snow Boston received over a 30 day period. 

"We've received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from South Boston residents about how the emergency reconfiguration has relieved traffic congestion and increased public safety," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to engaging in a robust discussion with the community on the future of these neighborhood streets."

In addition to attending the two community meetings, South Boston residents are encouraged to reach out to the Mayor's office with feedback about the reconfiguration by calling the Mayor's hotline at 617-635-4500, or by leaving feedback for the Mayor's South Boston liaison Eric Prentis at 617-635-2680,eric.prentis@boston.gov

Street sweeping schedules for impacted streets will remain the same. The schedule for each neighborhood is available here.

###

錢煦牽線 國際最大EB會議將長辦唐獎講座

錢煦(左起),陳振川,EB會議管理委員會主席Shawn E. BoynesMartin Frank等人簽署“唐獎”和“實驗生物會議”合作協議。
(菊子攝)
台灣稱為“東方諾貝爾獎”,去年九月首次頒發的“唐獎”,昨(三月三十一)日和國際最大的生命科學及醫藥會議Experimental Biology,簽訂為期十年合約,將每年在該會議中舉辦“唐獎”講座。
 唐獎教育基金會執行長陳振川和中央研究院院士錢煦,以及美國生理學學會執行長Martin Frank,美國解剖學學會執行長Shawn E. Boynes昨日在第一屆唐獎獲獎者之一,同行預測他將得諾貝爾獎的艾莉森博士(Dr. James P. Allison)演講後,當著與會聽眾,以及從台灣趕來參加此會的中央研究院、國衞院、台灣大學、慈濟醫學院、台灣營養學會等專家的面,簽署了合約。
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處教育組組長黃薳玉也應邀觀禮。
特地從聖地牙哥飛來波士頓主持這一講座的錢煦指出,“唐獎”是台灣企業家尹衍樑效仿諾貝爾獎精神,由個人捐款設立的獎項,為宣揚盛唐精神,取名“唐獎”,分「永續發展」、「生技醫藥」、「漢學」與「法治四類,每兩年選拔一次。
陳振川表示,由於“唐獎”給獎金額,每類高達一百六十七萬元美金,比諾貝爾獎最高那年的一百三十三萬元還高,因此被台灣媒體稱為“東方諾貝爾獎”,他們也希望唐獎將來有甚至比諾貝爾獎更大的影響力。
去年九月,唐獎舉行了第一屆頒獎典禮,主要由中研院院士選出的五名得獎者,分別為法治獎的奧比薩克思(Albie Sachs),漢學獎的余英時,永續發展獎的格羅哈萊姆布倫特蘭(Gro Harlem Brundtland),以及同得生技醫藥獎的詹姆斯艾莉森(James P. Allison)和本庶佑(Tasuku Honjo)。
錢煦指出,實驗生物學會議(Experimental Biology)是由六個學(協)會主辦,35個國際學(協)會協辦,每年有一萬四千多名科學家,廠商代表參加,三百多家廠商展示的大規模會議,簽訂舉辦“唐獎”講座協議,將可更有效地把“唐獎”帶上國際舞台。
艾莉森博士昨日在會上以“在癌症治療中的鎖定免疫檢查點:治癒的新見解,機會及前景(Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy: New Insights, Opportunities, and Prospects fro a cure為主題,從特異性,記憶及適應性等三種角度,暢述為什麼要用免疫療法,並綜述他的研究過程與結果。
2014年還獲得生命科學突破獎,唐獎,上個月還又獲得Paul Ehrlich & Ludwig Darmstaedter獎,Passano獎的艾莉森,目前在休士頓的德州大學安德森(M. D. Anderson)癌症中心做研究,主要做 T 細胞抗原受體複合體,協同刺激分子受體,以及刺激T細胞其他分子,達到促使人體自行免疫的結果。
他坦言從事這方面研究已不下十五年,在老鼠實驗上成功後,起初因為在人體實驗上不見效果而受挫,但醫師們後來發現,六個月後,腫瘤變小了,病患的壽命也延長了,相關研究重獲支持。如今美國食品藥品監督管理局(FDA)已批准使用,也已有超過五萬人使用。他認為針對免疫檢查點療法的未來門診發展關鍵議題包括,要決定在抗腫瘤效果中的細胞,分子機制,要辨識可預測的,事後的或者藥效性的生物標識,要把所有免疫檢查點媒介最好的標準療法綜合起來,要針對新分子來改善效率。他因此建議要把多個檢查點,針對性的基因療法,疫苗,化療,雷射等等治療方法,都結合起來找最佳療法。
錢煦指出,結合另一名“唐獎”生技醫藥得獎人提出的療法,也是業界探討的方向之一。

圖片說明:

            經文處教育組組長黃薳玉(左一),錢煦(前左三起),艾莉森博士,Martin Frank,陳振川等人,在講座及簽約後合影。(菊子攝)


            經文處教育組組長黃薳玉(右起),唐獎執行長陳振川,Shawn E. Boynes
艾莉森博士,在講座開始前交流。(菊子攝)