Heat Advisory: Superintendent Chang Urges BPS Families to Prepare for High Temperatures With the Return of School

Heat Advisory: Superintendent Chang Urges BPS Families to Prepare for High Temperatures With the Return of School  

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 -- Superintendent Tommy Chang is asking families to take extra caution and prepare for this week's high temperatures as students return to school today.

With unseasonably hot weather forecasted, Boston Public Schools has taken steps to ready schools for the high temperatures. Extra fans have been distributed throughout schools that lack central air conditioning and schools that have water coolers have stocked up on extra supplies of bottled water. BPS is closely monitoring all schools to provide any support that is needed during the hot weather. 

"As we welcome our students back to school, we want to ensure they are safe and ready to learn," Dr. Chang said. "I am asking parents to make sure their children are dressed in weather-appropriate clothing, stay well-hydrated and bring extra bottles of water to school this week. We are ready and excited to kick off a great school year." 

For additional safety tips, please visit: http://ow.ly/RUW9c. 

The Boston Public Schools, the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 57,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 126 schools.

Bolling Municipal Building, 2300 Washington St., Roxbury, MA 02119 | www.bostonpublicschools.org | Follow us on Facebook andTwitter @BostonSchool

CMS Releases First Ever Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare

CMS Releases First Ever Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH), unveiled the first CMS plan to address health equity in Medicare. The CMS Equity Plan for Improving Quality in Medicare (CMS Equity Plan for Medicare) is an action-oriented plan that focuses on six priority areas and aims to reduce health disparities in four years.

The plan was released at a conference entitled: Medicare & Medicaid at 50: Their Past, Present, and Future Impact on Health Equity, which was held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and the 30th anniversary of the 1985Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, also known as the Heckler Report.                                                                                               

“As we strive to create a health care system that provides better care, spends dollars more wisely and creates healthier people, CMS is committed to achieving equity for minority and other underserved populations and eliminating health disparities among Medicare beneficiaries,” said CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt.

The Equity Plan focuses on Medicare populations that experience disproportionately high burdens of disease, lower quality of care, and barriers accessing care. These include racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, people with disabilities, and those living in rural areas.

The priorities and activities described in the plan were developed during a rigorous year-long process in collaboration with NORC at the University of Chicago, which included examining evidence, identifying opportunities, and gathering input from a broad array of stakeholders across the country. Six priority areas and several high-yield activities serve as the plan’s foundation. They include:

• Priority 1: Expand the Collection, Reporting, and Analysis of Standardized Data
• Priority 2: Evaluate Disparities Impacts and Integrate Equity Solutions Across CMS Programs
• Priority 3: Develop and Disseminate Promising Approaches to Reduce Health Disparities
• Priority 4: Increase the Ability of the Health Care Workforce to Meet the Needs of Vulnerable  Populations
• Priority 5: Improve Communication and Language Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency and Persons with Disabilities
• Priority 6: Increase Physical Accessibility of Health Care Facilities

“Making sure care is equitable is often the forgotten core area of focus for ensuring that the health system is meeting patient needs and delivering high quality care. The CMS Equity Plan for Medicare will help to ensure that as we work towards better care, smarter spending, and healthier people we also continue to work to achieve health equity in Medicare,” said Cara James, director of the CMS Office of Minority Health. “We know that in order to achieve the goals of the plan, we need to work with many stakeholders, and we hope that as we start to implement the activities in the plan, we will see a number of them join us on the path to equity.”

The foundation for addressing each of the plan’s priorities includes the following interconnected principles that guide CMS’ efforts to achieve health equity:

1. Increasing understanding and awareness of disparities;
2. Developing and disseminating solutions; and
3. Taking sustainable action and evaluating progress.

To learn more about the six priorities and achieving health equity in Medicare visit: https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/omh/index.html

慶祝勞工節奧巴馬選擇訪麻州

大波士頓勞工協會昨（7）日邀得包括美國總統奧巴馬 （Barack Obama），聯邦參議員沃倫（Elizabeth Warren），馬基（Ed Marky）在內的多名政要出席早餐會，慶祝勞工節，強調勞工團結，權益才得保障。

美國勞工聯合會-產業工會聯合會（AFL-CIO）的麻州會長杜文（Steve Tolman）表示，美國總統奧巴馬選擇麻州來宣佈聯邦政府合約商必須給員工七天有薪假這行政命令，是為彰顯麻州近年來在爭取勞工權益上的傑出表現。

麻州工會表示，麻州勞工通過結盟，把工會，宗教團體，社區機構團結起來，不但成功爭取到把麻州的最低時薪，從9元提高到2016年將為10元，2017年11元，還推動民眾公投通過“有薪病假”法，從今年7月1日起，凡聘有員工11人以上的公司，都必須讓員工累計放有薪病假。

華人前進會指出，家居護理工人組織工會，時薪提高等，也都是該會參與推動爭取工人權益成果之一。

大波士頓勞工協會的這早餐會，政要雲集。代表麻州的兩名聯邦參議員沃倫及馬基，麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healey)，波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh），美國勞工聯合會-產業工會聯合會（AFL-CIO）的麻州會長杜文（Steve Tolman）等人，都強調工會以及工人團結的重要。

許多出席者稱伊莉莎白沃倫的發言，發人深省。她感謝酒店工人，以及昨日在公園廣場酒店門外抗議的地鐵工人。

沃倫表示，今年的勞工節早餐會非比尋常，尤其是當總統候選人侮辱移民，呼籲遣返1100萬人，逼他們妻離子散；有些共和黨總統候選人不認為應該訂定聯邦的最低工資，或是同工同酬制度。儘管她也願意和大家一起慶祝勞工節的勞工成就，但在薪資停滯不前，醫療保險，教育及居住的開銷費用卻不斷上漲之際，勞工們所面對的挑戰非常真實。

沃倫認為，沒有人應該全職工作，卻仍然生活在貧窮之中。她呼籲爭取時薪15元。沃倫還指出，人們有權退休得有尊嚴，換言之，政府必須保護人們的退休金，擴大社會安全網。她強調，我們爭取，我們就會贏。

            麻州總檢察官奚莉在會上強調該辦公室保護勞工的職責，成績，也宣佈了新聘麥小瓊出任該辦公室的公平勞工組組長。

            美國總統奧巴馬昨日一早搭專機抵達羅根機場，在麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）夫婦和波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）的迎接中，走下飛機，和趕到機場歡迎他的五，六十民眾握手寒暄後，就在包括警車開道下，十幾輛車一起開往公園廣場酒店，出席大波士頓勞工協會的勞工節早餐會。

            奧巴馬在早餐會中的發言，詼諧有趣，還拿多名總統候選人的言行來說笑。他表示今年是美國連續第七年失業率最低的一年，他也不斷找錢幫助人們回到崗位上工作。他強調只有讓更多人成為中產階級，整個社會的經濟及各項發展才會前進，幫助勞工生活穩定，是達成該理想的最佳途徑。

圖片說明：

            大波士頓勞工會在公園廣場酒店舉行的早餐會現場。（聯邦參議員辦公室提供）

美東國術會以武相會慶中秋

美東國術會9月5日晚在喜臨門大酒樓慶祝羊年中秋，八，九個武術團體輪流上場獻藝，切磋交流，近三百人歡聚一堂，熱鬧非常。

            美東國術總會紐英崙總分會從前年開始，改以中秋武林大會，取代農曆新春大宴。由於團隊處於新陳代謝階段，這兩年參加”武林大會“的武術團體，每次都不盡相同。

            5日晚，在余積堯，周紹球， 分任中英文司儀的主持中，胡清白鶴派，黃強白眉派，華林派，駱瀚源空手道，波士頓少林功夫中心，巾幗醒獅團，東方文化學院，Mike Williams的武藝研究院等八個武術團體，輪番上場，展示功夫。

            羅德島州功夫團也有創辦人兼教練邵鹿邑應邀與會。

美東國術會現任會長，東方文化學院創辦人譚輝，副會長，黃強醒獅團的李迪輝，當晚先為一頭新瑞獅點睛，請嘉賓，以及到會的各社團首長合影，再進入示範功夫環節。

在胡衛正率領的胡清白鶴派示範之後，創辦武藝研究院的Mike Williams，調遣該院許多童稚學員出場示範，還介紹了來自東南亞地區的許多特別武器。他為感謝胡衛正邀他加入波士頓華埠的武術界大團體，特地送出一把精緻小刀。

輪番上場的個團體，分別展示了太極，推手，虎鶴拳，羅漢拳，連環腿，刀槍劍戟等各種功夫。儘管表演有不少雷同之處，但觀眾們百看不厭，交相點評，會場氣氛一直很熱鬧。

去年與會的芳太極氣功協會，今年未能到會。在大波士頓華埠內人們熟知的南派武館，陳耀祥武術學院，超武館，朱振舜太極武館等數個武術團體，當晚也都未參加示範。

            當晚到賀嘉賓，包括駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文，波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡，紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，麻州眾議員黃子安。

            英文名為Bruc Chan的經文處副處長陳銘俊，致詞時先藉功夫名人來介紹自己，笑說他是成龍（Jackie Chan)，李小龍（Bruce Lee）的兄弟，再感謝華洋功夫愛好者的發揚，傳承中國武術，一改西方人對亞洲人的“東亞病夫”印象。

查詢美東國術總會紐英崙總分會詳情，可發電郵到，e92ken@gmail.com。

圖片說明：

            美東國術會慶中秋，會長譚輝（中左五）邀經文處副處長陳銘俊（中左四），波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文（後右七），麻州眾議員黃子安（中右六），紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦（中右五）等僑團首長合影。（菊子攝）

            麻州眾議員黃子安（左三）送表揚狀給美東國術會。會長譚輝（左二），副會長李迪輝（右三）代表接受。（菊子攝）

            美東國術會。會長譚輝（右二），副會長李迪輝（左二）為新獅點睛。（菊子攝）

            華林派女師父余翠梅（後左二）帥麾下小朋友示範功夫。（菊子攝）

胡衛正獲贈一把小刀。（菊子攝）

            Mike Williams（左）送刀，胡衛正（右）鞠躬接受，以示感謝。（菊子攝）

麥小瓊將出任AG辦公室公平勞工組組長

麥小瓊（左起）將出任公平勞工組組長，麻州總檢察官奚莉，華人前進會
名譽主席李素影，華人前進會共同主席陳玉珍（右三），
駱理德（右二）等人道喜。（圖由華人前進會提供）

(Boston Orange) 麻州總檢察官奚莉（Maura Healy）昨（7）日在大波士頓勞工協會的勞工節早餐會中宣佈，麥小瓊（Cindy Mak）將出任該辦公室公平勞工組（Fair Labor Division）組長。

麥小瓊將是麻州總檢察長辦公室內首名出任該職的華人。

麻州總檢察長辦公室麾下，設有犯罪，能源及環境，行政，政府，醫療護理及公平競爭，公共保護及支持，以及區域辦公室的七個局處。

公平勞工組是公共保護及支持局裏的4個小組之一。其他3個小組為消費者保護，保險及金融服務，民權。

公平勞工組的主要職責是保護麻州的工人及雇主，執行麻州的工資及時薪法，包括現行工資，最低工資，付給薪資，逾時工作，共享小費，兒童勞工，週日及假日的額外給付等。

該小組有權就違反刑事及民權法的侵犯勞工權益行為，進行調查，並執行法令，藉以保護員工不受僱主剝削，並起訴那些不遵守麻州工資及時新法的雇主。

麻州總檢察官辦公室在網站上指出，過去數年來，該小組在最高法院打贏數樁案件，為員工爭取到共約二千萬元的賠償款。

麥小瓊在華埠勞工界已是知名人士，在大波士頓法律事務援助處工作已廿年，最近這十年擔任外展組主管，協助華埠移民勞工處理過許多加班費拿不到，雇主未付給最低薪資等案件，其中包括2012年的88超市案。

在麻州新貝福市（New Bedford）出生，畢業於塔芙茨大學，獲有東北大學法學院學位，能說廣東話的麥小瓊，父母都是廣東人後代。她表示，一旦上任新職，盼能充分應用以往經驗，保護全麻州工人，尤其是新移民的勞工權益。

ON LABOR DAY, AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP FOR THE OFFICE’S FAIR LABOR DIVISION

BOSTON – With a focus on strengthening worker protections across Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced new leadership for the office’s Fair Labor Division.

AG Healey has named Cynthia Mark as Chief of the Fair Labor Division, and Lauren Goldman as Deputy Chief.

“Our job is to make sure that workers across Massachusetts are protected. People who work hard should be able to provide for themselves and their families,” said AG Healey. “Cynthia and Lauren bring years of experience and a deep well of talent to the AG’s Office and I am excited to have them on board.”

Cynthia Mark will serve as Chief of the Fair Labor Division. Prior to her appointment, she worked for the last 10 years as the managing attorney of the Asian Outreach Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services, representing Asian immigrant clients with multiple barriers to accessing the legal system.

Mark has devoted her professional life to advocating for the rights of low-wage immigrant workers and has successfully litigated complex employment cases under the Massachusetts Wage Act and Fair Labor Standards Act.

In 2014, Mark was honored as a recipient of the Top Women in Law award by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. She currently serves as a board member of Justice at Work, a non-profit that provides legal support to immigrant workers, and is a trustee with the Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, Mark is a resident of Cambridge.

Lauren Goldman will serve as Deputy Division Chief of the Fair Labor Division. Goldman previously worked under Attorney General Martha Coakley as an Assistant Attorney General in the Fair Labor Division until 2012.

Since then, Goldman has served as chief of staff and policy advisor for the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, advising the Director on policy, human resources, and labor relations issues for the agency. As chief of staff she also managed more than 700 staff members for the agency’s five regional offices.

During Goldman’s time at the AG’s Office, she enforced the state’s wage and hour laws, prevailing wage and child labor laws, and investigated cases for both criminal prosecution and civil enforcement action against employers who violated the rights of their workers.

Goldman is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Syracuse University. She resides in Cambridge.

Together, Mark and Goldman will oversee the Fair Labor Division’s enforcement of Massachusetts laws that protect workers including the payment of prevailing wage, minimum wage, and public construction bid laws, as well as the state’s new Earned Sick Time Law and Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

The Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division has broad powers to investigate and enforce violations of these laws through criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions. The division uses this authority to protect employees from exploitation by employers, prosecute employers who are failing to follow the Commonwealth’s wage and hour laws, and set a level playing field with clear rules that employers can follow, ensuring that strong economic growth and fairness for workers go hand-in-hand.

华裔神奇小子梁世奇 扬威世界国际象棋棋坛

轉載

全美中华青年联合会 www.aacyf.org     微信号：Richard3132

华裔神奇小子梁世奇 扬威世界国际象棋棋坛

http://www.aacyf.org/?p=5767

华裔神奇小子梁世奇 扬威世界国际象棋棋坛

今年12 岁、出生在美国威斯康辛州的华裔少年梁世奇(Awonder Liang)在世界国际象棋棋坛是一个具有广泛知名度的棋手，同时也是美国历史上最年轻的国际象棋大师(National Chess Master）称号获得者。2014年在获得国际象棋世界少年竞标赛冠军头衔后，荣登国际象棋界权威杂志Chess Life封面。

梁世奇的父亲梁英明博士，是早期从中国赴美的留学生。据梁英明介绍，梁世奇5岁开始在社区图书馆学习国际象棋，随即对国际象棋产生兴趣，在与哥哥、父亲对弈过程中，进步神速。8岁在巴西，10岁在阿联酋曾两度获得国际象棋世界少年竞标赛冠军，基本上可以算是自学成材。

梁世奇今年8月应邀赴中国参加由中国国际象棋协会主办的第一届“中孚杯”石家庄市国际象棋公开赛，参加赛事的同时，在广东和北京等地旅行期间，中文进步神速，现已可以用中文进行基本对话。据梁英明博士介绍，梁世奇此次在中国参赛期间，获得了中国国家体育总局有关部门和机构的大力支持，经过此次比赛，梁世奇在同年龄组的世界排名目前已经是数一数二的了。

日常生活中的梁世奇开朗、健谈，充满自信、但又不太在意比赛的得失，有相当良好的心态。与同龄的小朋友一起玩电子游戏时，看不出下棋时的安静和沉稳；问及比赛的名次时，则落落大方地告知参加比赛获得的名次；谈及现在哥哥不愿意和他下棋的原因时，则直接了当的表示，主要是哥哥怕输给他。

梁世奇学业成绩优异，今年秋季开学升入6年级，但是将会选修部分9年级的课程。除了下棋之外，他喜欢阅读、游泳和羽毛球；喜欢吃中餐。谈及未来，他表示希望能成为首位华裔国际象棋锦标赛男子冠军。

全美中华青年联合会会长任向东表示，美国主流媒体包括，美国国家公共广播电台(NPR)、纽约时报、以及众多地方媒体和各类的国际象棋杂志、报纸和网站，都有大量的有关梁世奇的专访和报道。是全美华人社区的明日之星，也希望华人社区给予更多的关注和支持，让梁世奇健康、顺利成长起来，在国际象棋棋坛上为华裔争光。（AACYF洛杉矶讯） 

奧巴馬抵波士頓宣佈行政命令給勞工有薪假

HEAT ADVISORY: MAYOR WALSH URGES CAUTION DURING HOT TEMPERATURES

HEAT ADVISORY: MAYOR WALSH URGES CAUTION DURING HOT TEMPERATURES

BOSTON - Monday, September 7, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh is reminding residents to take precautions during the hot weather forecast for this week. Information on heat safety tips can be found online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston.  "As this summer comes to a close, we are expecting rising temperatures over the next couples of days," said Mayor Walsh. "As we work to monitor the rising temperatures, to keep all of our residents and visitors safe, we ask the public to continue being vigilant - look after a neighbor, be it someone outdoors, or someone next door." Mayor Walsh can declare a Heat Emergency once temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher for three or more consecutive days. During a Heat Emergency, cooling centers will be open across the City. Residents can sign up for Alert Boston, the city's emergency notification system, to receive emergency alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up online: http://www. cityofboston.gov/oem/ alertboston.asp . Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with any questions about available city services.  Heat Safety: Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-15 or higher and wear protective, loose fitting clothing, including long sleeve shirts and hats. The elderly, young children and those with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to the effects of heat. Always check in on family or neighbors who may be at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke as temperatures climb. Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of times. If you become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint, stop all activity and immediately find shade or a cool area to rest. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately. Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas and be extra cautious from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's UV radiation is strongest.  Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine.  Homeless individuals can become dehydrated rapidly due to a lack of access to water or shelter from the heat. If you observe someone who appears in distress, call 911 immediately. If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six. Information about low-cost window guards for Boston residents can be found here.  Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's specifications.  Playground Safety:   Children should always wear shoes on playgrounds because surfaces can become extremely hot and cause burns, even splash pads and spray decks.  Outdoor Fires and Grilling: No outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas and bonfires. Charcoal grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind and never leave unattended. When done, dispose of the ash in a metal container once completely out. Propane tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never carry propane tanks into a home. Grills should always be used in a well-ventilated area. Mosquitoes and Ticks: If you are in a grassy or wooded area, apply a DEET containing repellent that will protect against mosquitoes AND ticks. Always check yourself, children and pets for ticks after returning indoors and remove attached ticks immediately using tweezers. Mosquito bites can spread West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), while attached ticks can spread Lyme disease. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks to prevent mosquito bites. Limit your time outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and apply an approved mosquito repellent. Places to stay cool: Boston Centers for Youth & Families operates 17 pools and one beach for families looking to cool off in the summer heat. To find the pool or beach nearest you, visit www.cityofboston.gov/ BCYF/ orhttp://www.cityofboston.gov/ heat/staycool.asp .

聯邦眾議員挑戰羅州政要明年組隊參加龍舟賽

羅德島州龍舟賽在普塔基河上舉行。（周菊子攝）

 羅德島華人協會主席葉超（右），會長吳子平（左）歡迎羅德島州
聯邦眾議員大衛西西里尼（David Cicilline）（中）到場。西西里尼
表示，他挑戰羅州政要明年各自組龍舟隊參賽。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子羅德島州報導) 第16屆“羅德島州龍舟賽暨台灣日”，9月5日在天清氣朗，勞工節放長假中舉行，讓普塔基市（Pawtucket）河畔出現破紀錄的萬人空巷熱鬧場面。

羅德島州聯邦眾議員大衛西西里尼(David Cicilline)稱許葉超，吳子平，畢靈頓（Bob Billington）等人和主辦單位有恆心的努力，帶旺羅德島州景氣，興奮挑戰出席政要，明年各組一隊龍舟參賽，與民同樂。

龍舟賽和吃餃子大賽，是這活動的兩個重頭戲。龍舟賽由聯合龍（United Dragon）奪得冠軍及獎金一萬元。吃餃子賽由芝加哥抵羅德島州探親的Edward Delacruz贏得冠軍，以及長榮航空北美來回台北機票一張。

“羅德島州龍舟賽暨台灣日”是駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處和羅德島州黑石谷旅遊中心，羅德島華人協會（RIACA）聯合舉辦的活動，2015年跨入第16個年頭，不但場地整修得美麗非常，還在經文處的台灣風情介紹，中華民俗藝術工作坊的中國傳統文化展覽，教做手工藝，出售台灣小吃之外，新增食物卡車，30分鐘河上遊船，使得整個活動內容更加豐富。

經文處處長賴銘琪臨時須趕往加州開會，羅德島州龍舟賽由副處長
陳銘俊（左）出席致詞。右為吳子平。（周菊子攝）

近午時分舉行的開幕式，嘉賓雲集，包括駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊、羅德島州聯邦眾議員大衛西西里尼(David Cicilline)、羅州州務卿嘉比亞(Nellie Gorbea)、財政廳長馬克力尼(Seth Magaziner)、普塔基市長蓋比思(Donald Grebien)、克蘭斯頓市長馮偉傑(Allan Fung)、普塔基市市議員卡莉羅(Sandra Cario)，以及藝術節主席包思特(John Baxter)等人在主席台上坐成一長排，十分壯觀。

 羅德島華人協會會長吳子平（右起）歡迎僑務委員馬滌凡，克蘭
斯頓市長馮偉傑，僑教中心主任郭大文等人到會。（周菊子攝）

經文處副處長陳銘俊稱許“羅德島州龍舟賽暨台灣日”活動，跨入第16年，越辦越精彩。他感謝長榮贊助機票，推廣台灣觀光，說明台灣已是羅德島州的全球全球第七大出口市場，希望羅德島州與台灣簽署駕照互相承認協定，邀請羅德島州州長雷萌朵（Gina Raimondo）訪問台灣，加強雙邊關係。他也特別強調歡迎新英格蘭地區民眾到台灣旅遊，親自體會台灣的自然風光，美食佳餚，以及濃厚人情味。

經文處副處長陳銘俊呼籲羅德島州與台灣簽署駕照互相承認協議。
（圖由經文處提供）

中華民俗藝術工作坊由團長張昆，黃美晴夫婦率隊，安排團員分上下午兩場，演出“齊鼓震天”，“孔雀吉祥”等十幾個節目，包括陳美樺，李政欣，陳燕貞等家長們，分別揮毫寫書法，教做手工藝品，從捏麵人、創意剪紙、書法書籤、彩繪龍舟、彩繪獅頭、錦囊香包、布袋戲偶及原住民頭飾等傳統民俗藝技，全都吸引遊人駐足，陳式儀等人負責的扯鈴、跳繩，彩帶、陀螺及踢毽子等示範攤位，更是引誘了大人、小孩都來試身手。

梁莉敏在現場用蒸籠蒸出的豬肉包，其他家長做的綠豆湯，茶葉蛋，台灣麵包等大受歡迎，不到兩點，就有許多攤位沒貨可賣了。

表演項目中新增的華裔動感舞蹈家陳秀惠帶動跳，和現場觀眾打成一片，極受歡迎。

 克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑（左）與司儀胡少娟主持節目。（周菊子攝）

羅德島華人協會主席葉超，會長吳子平表示，辦龍舟賽，就是為發揚中華文化，豐富羅州人民生活，5日遊人川流不息，個個笑容滿面，令人欣慰。

今年的文娛活動及展示部分，仍由經文處新聞組，以及中華民俗藝術工作坊撐大局。

經文處新聞組有組長朱永昌，以及陳文昌等人在會場擺出台灣風情簡介，送出印有台灣字樣的金色別針，顯示台灣重視環保的筒狀印花大手帕等紀念品。

經文處新聞組組長朱永昌（中）在攤位前回答民眾提問。(周菊子攝）

羅德島州龍舟賽暨台灣日活動，在紅色氣球拱門，白色大帳篷烘托中，
顯得很有氣勢。（周菊子攝）

 梁莉敏（左）表示，二年多前學做肉包子，是為了給兒子做早餐，
想不到在同儕間很受歡迎，還應邀到這節日活動中擺賣，增添特色。
（周菊子攝）

陳秀惠的帶動跳，真把坐在台下的觀眾都吸引的站起身來跟著跳。
（周菊子攝）

中華民俗藝術工作坊的表演節目。（周菊子攝）