華埠社區議會議員改選連續三年等額當選

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓華埠社區議會(CNC)11月27日在桑坦德銀行夏利臣街分行辦理年度改選，共約218人出席投票，7名議員席位由競選連任者等額當選。這是華埠社區議會又一次的等額當選選舉，也是過去這3年來的連續第3次。

                         7名當選議員的類別及得票數分別為，團體類，余麗媖152票，鄺炎彬97票，機構類曾雪清130票，其他類阮鴻燦125票，居民類黃競雄165票，游誠康148票，商戶類梅沛傑116票。

                         這7人大都在華埠社區內十分活躍，具多重身分。其中的余麗英現為波士頓華埠獅子會會長，紐英倫余風彩棠副主席，紐英崙廣東同鄉總會共同會長，華人經濟發展協會董事。武士(Samurai)餐廳東主鄺炎彬既是溯源公所候任主席，也是華商會成員。 阮鴻燦卸任紐英崙中華公所主席後，現為阮氏公所主席。

                        其他的當選者分別為塔芙茨醫院社區健康主任曾雪清，”燒酒”餐廳東主梅沛傑，在亞裔青年會(YES)擔任要職的黃競雄，游誠康。

                      根據歷年紀錄，華埠社區議會2015年當選的8名議員為機構類雷國輝，其他類陳偉民，梅麗梨，居民類李有香，李麗嫦，Raymond Ptau，商戶類周樹昂，鄺炎彬。其中一個席位是補選。

                     2014年當選者為其他類陳灼鋆，機構類梅伍銀寬(中華耆英會)，陳魯誠(華埠王氏青年會)，組織類李洪文，陳文浩(至孝篤親公所)，商戶類陳國航(見聞旅行社)，梅佩凡(龍鳳酒樓)。

華埠社區議會成立於1980年代，是一個波士頓市政府認可，已有三十多年歷史的社區組織，共有機構，商戶，組織，居民及其他等5個類別的議員共21人，每年改選7人，各任期3年，每年一月改選下一屆議會主席。

過去這3、4年來，華埠社區議會幾乎每年都是有多少個席位空缺，就只有多少個人參選，部分在位議員不斷連選連任，有些人甚至已在位十幾，廿年，最新的二人，鄺炎彬及Raymond Plau也都去年就已當選了，今年的華埠社區議會參選議員又一度等額當選，再度引發了社區內到底有多少人知道，關心，這組織又到底為社區發揮了什麼作用的疑問。

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES "#5onMain" CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES "#5onMain" CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

BOSTON - Saturday, November 26, 2016 -  Mayor Martin J. Walsh today kicked off the City of Boston's annual "Holidays on Main Streets" campaign, a small business initiative to encourage Boston residents to shop local this holiday season. At the celebration held at the Roslindale Village Main Street holiday tree lighting, Mayor Walsh announced the relaunch of the "#5onMain" challenge, and recognized Small Business Saturday and related activities throughout the City of Boston Main Street Districts. "I'm urging every holiday shopper to enjoy what our Main Street districts have to offer this holiday season by participating in the '5 on Main' challenge," said Mayor Walsh. "Our Main Street districts are an important part of our local economy. Out of every dollar spent in a local business district, 58 cents will be returned to that community, fueling our local economies and contributing to more vibrant neighborhoods." Mayor Walsh's "#5onMain" challenge is designed to inspire holiday shoppers to support Main Streets and other local commercial districts during the holiday season. Participants pledge to support local businesses at least five times during the holiday season, either by purchasing gifts, dining or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts. Holiday shoppers are encouraged to accept the challenge via social media, using the hashtag "#5onMain." Recent data from Deloitte University Press' 30th Annual Holiday Survey indicates that there will be an increase in consumer holiday spending, with average holiday spending projected at $1,462 in 2015, up from $1,299 in 2014. The survey shows although consumers are moving to shopping online, they still prefer to buy locally and in-store to support their local community and economy, find one-of-a-kind gifts and enjoy the convenience of shopping in their neighborhoods. According to the Small Business Association, nearly half of the working adults in Massachusetts are employed by a small business. To participate in the Mayor's Holiday Challenge on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, use the hashtag #5onMain. In order to help shoppers and businesses participate in the Challenge, draft tweets for participants are available in the social media kit found here and a package of shareable graphics can be found here. For a list of Main Streets districts and to learn more about the program, visit: https://www.boston.gov/economic-development/boston-main-streets.

羅德島克蘭斯頓市新添首家華裔耆英中心

羅德島州克蘭斯頓市日前喜添"公園大道耆英服務中心(Park Avenue Senior Care)，克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(Allan W. Fung)應邀剪綵，坦言格外高興，因為這不但是克蘭斯頓市又多了一家新企業，而且創辦人亓靄雲(Irene Qi)是華裔，曾任羅德島華人協會理事。

公園大道耆英護理座落在克蘭斯頓市公園大道1049號(1049 Park Ave., Cranston, RI)，也是1738年成立的克蘭斯頓哥倫布武士會(Cranston Knights of Columbus Council)原址一樓，翻新後現在是個在專業護理環境下，為需要援助耆英提供日間服務的機構。

克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(前左三)和創辦者亓靄雲(右三)
等人為"公園大道老人中心"開幕剪綵。(馮偉傑提供)

該機構精擅文化多元化，既是羅德島州內首個，也是唯一一個提供華裔活動，食物及文化的耆英日間護理中心。員工能說多種語言，包括英語，廣東話，普通話，菲律賓語，斯瓦希里語，泰塔語等。

公園大道耆英護理為需要援助的老年人提供很廣泛的醫療，認知及社會服務，藉以維持老人家們的社會參與，成長，進步。這結構化的成人日間保健計劃既讓照顧者感到安心，也為耆英提供了有監督的，安全和滋養的環境。

克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(左三)，羅德島華人協會會長吳子平
(右三)，陳毅文(右二)等嘉賓出席開幕慶典。(馮偉傑提供)

克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(中)頒發表揚狀給
公園大道老人中心創辦人亓靄雲(左)等人。
(馮偉傑堤共)

僑委會金僑獎 打造華人藝術交流平台

僑務委員會副委員長田秋堇（後排左五）、主任秘書張良民（後排
左二）及澳洲昆士蘭州貿易暨投資辦事處駐台代表戴維明（後排
右四）與2016金僑獎「世界華影」得主合影留念。

2016金僑獎「世界華影」頒獎典禮25日在僑務委員會舉行，副委員長田秋堇偕同主任秘書張良民到場頒獎。今年金僑獎短片組冠軍由旅澳僑胞陳俊仰獲得，澳洲昆士蘭州貿易暨投資辦事處駐台代表戴維明（Murray Davis）特別出席致賀。

2016金僑獎「世界華影」短片組冠軍作品「布袋的馬拉松」。

田秋堇表示，金僑獎自2009年設立以來，吸引全球眾多作品參賽，來自緬甸、甫以「再見瓦城」奪得法國亞眠影展國際競賽單元最佳影片的僑生導演趙德胤，就曾於2009年及2010年參加過金僑獎短片徵選並獲佳績。今年金僑獎共吸引來自五大洲超過24個國家地區的作品參賽。

2016金僑獎「世界華影」短片組亞軍作品「第十二次搬家」。

除了趙德胤，歷年來還有數位金僑獎參賽者，也在世界各大影展綻放耀眼光芒，像是以「乒乓」獲2016年紐約翠貝卡影展最佳學生短片獎的楊婕，以及以紀錄片「挖洞子」入圍2014年波蘭華沙影展的緬甸僑生導演李永超等。

2016金僑獎「世界華影」短片組季軍作品「童玩阿伯」。

台灣女婿戴維明代表表示，台灣是澳洲重要的貿易夥伴，來自台灣的觀光客、留學生、移民及度假打工的年輕人，對澳洲也帶來正面積極的影響。

2016金僑獎「世界華影」照片組冠軍作品「第二個家」。

   短片組冠軍陳俊仰談到拍攝影片的初衷，是希望把海外台灣人奮鬥的故事記錄下來。在他的得獎短片「布袋的馬拉松」中，故事主角每年穿著官將首服飾，參加黃金海岸國際馬拉松大賽，吸引眾人目光，也讓更多人因此認識台灣。

照片組冠軍得主黃約瑟來自馬來西亞，在台灣求學已8年。他從馬來西亞坐飛機回台灣時，看到桃園機場停機坪的國旗，忍不住拿起相機記錄下來，這張照片「第二個家」為他贏得冠軍獎座。

2016金僑獎「世界華影」照片組亞軍作品「飲水思源」短片組亞軍「第十二次搬家」，作者為高智鵬與莊凱雯，拍攝英國格拉斯哥台灣舞者的搬家心路歷程，融合舞蹈的表現方式吸引評審青睞；季軍「童玩阿伯」是史冀儒的作品，描述馬來西亞國寶級童玩達人在當地推動台灣民俗技藝的故事。照片組亞軍袁君德的「飲水思源」，是巴西華僑媽媽帶著孩子到國父紀念館參觀，小女孩與國父畫像互動的感人畫面；「家鄉的味道」是馬來西亞僑生徐國華鏡頭前的台灣街景，讓人回憶起故鄉，獲得照片組季軍。更多得獎作品介紹，請參考活動網站（video.ocacmactv.net）。(僑委會提供)

2016金僑獎「世界華影」照片組季軍作品「家鄉的味道」。

生技及精密機械僑商企業家應僑委會邀約訪台灣

僑務委員會舉辦2016年五大創新產業－生技及精密機械僑商企業家
邀訪團，委員長吳新興（第一排中）與團員及參與創新產業商洽會
的企業代表合影。

 僑委會為推動新南向政策，並協助臺灣生技醫療及智慧機械等國內創新產業發展，促進與國內創新產業商機交流與技術合作，於11月22日至11月25日首次辦理「2016年五大創新產業－生技及精密機械僑商企業家邀訪團」，至截稿為止，初步已獲得總金額新臺幣3億2千萬元的投資案及採購案。

該邀訪團計邀請海外8位具備投資實力的僑臺商參加。其中屬精密機械產業者5人，生技醫藥者3人，分別來自菲律賓、印尼、越南、馬來西亞、美國及紐西蘭等6國。

僑務委員會舉辦2016年五大創新產業－生技及精密機械僑商企業家
邀訪團，委員長吳新興（中）、行政院經貿談判辦公室鄧振中
政務委員（右）共同主持投資媒合會。

這8家僑臺商企業在3天緊湊行程中，分別晉見副總統、拜會臺中市政府，並至經濟部招商投資服務中心瞭解投資環境及產業發展，同時也分別實地參訪國璽生技、程泰機械、旭東工業等3家國內績優企業，新竹生醫產業中心及與當地業者交流。本(25)日下午，由僑委會委員長吳新興偕同行政院經貿談判辦公室鄧政務委員振中親自主持投資媒合會，並邀請國內20家優質廠商進行雙向交流互動，協助僑臺商與國內產業對接，擴大海內外產業交流合作。

僑務委員會舉辦2016年五大創新產業－生技及精密機械僑商企業家
邀訪團，海外僑台商與國內業者面對面交流商機。

此一媒合活動提供海外僑臺商與國內業者面對面深度交流，瞭解彼此需求，採購與投資洽談均十分具體。比如來自菲律賓業者，對旭東公司雷射切割機、彎管機、裁切機有採購意願，金額約新臺幣3千萬元。另一位菲律賓業者有意購置旭東機械公司彎管設備2套約新臺幣620萬元，並規劃返臺投資長照產業，將投入醫療設備進出口和國內照護機構合作投資經營，新臺幣3200萬元。印尼業者有意新購置國璽公司之培育設備，金額約新臺幣2千萬3百萬元，另與友惠生技公司未來在生技產品有技術合作意願。印尼另一位業者有意購置長洋機械鋁輪摩托車鋁輪圈，約新臺幣3千萬元。馬來西亞業者已密切與國璽生技洽談投資中，預計投資新臺幣2億元。此次預計總投資金額已達新臺幣3億2千萬元，而後續談判金額仍在持續洽商中。

鑑於此活動中除獲得不少商機外，並能瞭解臺灣五大創新產業及新南向政策推動現況，掌握最新產業訊息及商業脈動，對國內外僑臺商事業發展皆有所助益，並將國內產業帶至國際，本會來年將繼續配合政府產業政策，針對各種不同類別創新產業辦理僑商企業家邀訪團，協助海內外產業有效對接，投資合作臺灣。(僑委會提供)

Chengdu City Music Hall wins World Architecture Festival Award

Chengdu City Music Hall wins World Architecture Festival Award  

Designed by Andrew Bromberg at Aedas, Chengdu City Music Hall in China is the winner of the Competition Entries - Future Projects category at World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2016. 

Located at the Wuhou district in Chengdu, China, the Chengdu City Music Hall complex balances cultural components within a dense urban environment disconnected from its traditional connection to nature. The traditional Chinese landscape paintings or shan shui paintings – ‘shan’ refers to mountain and ‘shui’ to river – are evolved from the surrounding Sichuan landscapes.  The use of positive and negative spaces in this art form portrays an interesting balance between the physical and the ephemeral. These relationships were explored in how to balance the ‘imagined’ creations of the performance venues and school of arts with the ‘tangibles’ of the buildings which contain them.

The physical line between the tangible and the ephemeral was celebrated as a stepped public series of connected terraces. Beneath these terraces are the varying volumes of venues below.  Above these terraces are topographic bamboo gardens which provide an impression of the surrounding mountains. These accessible terraces step from the tall dense urban fabric towards the west and down to the more human scale pedestrian district to the east.  The eastern edge is defined by an informal plaza which connects the project to the river and the arts district through the pedestrian ‘Music Avenue’. This design was a shortlisted competition entry.

WAF Awards is the largest global award programme and conference dedicated to sharing and celebrating the latest in architectural achievements.

慶祝感恩節 麻州長查理貝克，波市長馬丁華殊聯袂表善意

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)、波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)，麻州總檢察官奚莉(Maura Healey)，麻州財政廳廳長高伯珂(Deborah Goldberg)等人11月23日聯袂到洛士百利(Roxbury)的摩根紀念善意中心(Morgan Memorial Goodwill Center)，為250多人奉上感恩節大餐，還跳舞，帶動歡樂的節日氣氛。
摩根紀念善意中心是個為有發展障礙人士提供就業培訓與就業機會的機構。(圖片由麻州州長辦公室提供)

麻州州長查理貝克(左)和麻州眾議會議長狄樂歐(Robert DeLeo)。

麻州總檢察官奚莉，波士頓市長馬丁華殊。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER MICHAEL DENNEHY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER MICHAEL DENNEHY

Dennehy Moves to New Position as the Town Administrator of Milton

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that Public Works Commissioner Michael Dennehy will be leaving the City of Boston to become the Town Administrator of Milton. Dennehy is a twenty-year member of the Public Works Department. For the last three years, he has led this critical Department, which handles all residential recycling and trash collection as well as builds, lights and maintains the City's streets, sidewalks and bridges. Dennehy's last day will be on Friday, November 25. "We owe great thanks to Michael for his incredible service to the City," said Mayor Walsh.  "He has exceptionally high standards for the services we deliver and has built a very strong team to meet those standards every day. Whether it was leading our City through our snowiest winter or ensuring that a 311 call was responded to quickly and well, Michael delivered for our residents. Milton is getting an excellent leader and a great public servant. We wish Michael the best." Michael Dennehy joined the Public Works Department in 1996, working in the City's Highway Division. He helped lead the implementation of the City's first constituent relationship management system, assisted with the development of the BOS:311 app and inspired the creation of the companion app used by City employees called City Worker. He has served as the Public Works Commissioner since 2014. "I have been truly blessed over the past two decades to work for the taxpayers of Boston. It has been my honor," said Dennehy. "I am equally thankful to have worked alongside the dedicated men and women of the Public Works Department who proudly deliver the basic city services to this world class City day in and day out." Chris Osgood, the City's Chief of Streets, Transportation & Sanitation, will serve as the Acting Public Works Commissioner. With the addition of this role, Osgood will chair the Public Improvement Commission and support the work of the Public Work's Construction, Engineering & Permitting Divisions. Deputy Commissioner Michael Brohel will lead all core city service operations for the Public Works Department. This includes the City's response to snow, as well as overseeing Central Fleet, Code Enforcement, Highway Operations, Street Lighting and Waste Reduction.

麻州長宣佈11/25是"綠色星期五"

Baker-Polito Administration Declares Friday, November 25, 2016 as “Green Friday”

Declaration Made to Recognize State’s Green and Christmas Tree Industries

BOSTON – November 23, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration has declared Friday, November 25, 2016 as “Green Friday” to encourage people across the Commonwealth to visit their local farms for Christmas trees, holiday plants, and various decorating needs.  To celebrate the day, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux and Assistant Commissioner Jason Wentworth will participate in the annual Christmas tree cutting ceremony at Mistletoe Acres Tree Farm in East Bridgewater, which grows Christmas trees for the fresh cut market, at 10:00am.

“The Massachusetts nursery industry and Christmas tree growers are important contributors to our state’s economy and the holiday season,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As the holiday season begins, I encourage everyone to celebrate ‘Green Friday’ by buying local festive wreaths, garland, poinsettias and Christmas trees.” 

“Today is a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude to Massachusetts’ Christmas tree growers and nurseries for their contributions to the environment, the holiday season, and our local and state economies,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “It is important that we continue to support the Commonwealth’s local growers as part of ‘Green Friday’ by buying locally-grown Christmas trees and other holiday greens.”

Christmas tree season in Massachusetts provides hundreds of seasonal jobs at nearly 400 Christmas tree farms on approximately 3,000 acres of land from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Approximately $1.4 million is added to the Commonwealth’s economy each year from the sale of Massachusetts-grown Christmas trees. Christmas tree farms, which are oftentimes sited on soils that cannot support other crops, stabilize soil which helps prevent erosion and protect water supplies. When chipped, the trees can be used as a renewable source of energy to be burned as fuel, used as mulch, or composted.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to recognize our vibrant Massachusetts green industry, which is comprised of many family-operated businesses that provide not only memorable holiday traditions but contribute to sustaining the Massachusetts agricultural industry and environment,”  said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton.  “Christmas tree farms provide many local jobs to Massachusetts residents, and offer several environmental benefits, including helping to reduce the state’s carbon footprint and providing a stable refuge and feeding areas for wildlife.”

“Tis the season to get a head start to your holiday decorating needs on ‘Green Friday’ by visiting a Christmas tree farm and the many Massachusetts garden and nursery centers who provide an abundance of ‘greens’ to complete your holiday season celebrations” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Our tree growers and nursery/garden centers are committed to growing the best products by not only caring for the land, preserving open space, but also utilizing the best management practices.”

“We are looking forward to another great cut your own tree season and there should be plenty of nice trees to choose from at your local farms,” said Daniel Pierce, President of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Growers Association. “The weather this growing season has been a little challenging due to the drought but the damage seems to be limited to the new plantings. The trees that are ready to cut are looking great due to timely fall rains.” 

CAPAC Requests Meeting with President-elect Trump to Discuss AAPI Issues

CAPAC Requests Meeting with President-elect Trump to Discuss AAPI Issues

                                                                                                                                                                                          

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, requesting a meeting to discuss pertinent issues that affect the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Chair Chu released the following statement:

“The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus was established over two decades ago to address the needs and priorities of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, no matter the President or party in power. And as the fastest growing racial demographic in the nation, it is critical now more than ever that the voices of AAPIs are represented in national debates on everything from immigration and education to economic development and civil rights. That is why I’ve sent a letter to President-elect Trump requesting a meeting to discuss pressing issues important to our communities. I believe that there are common areas where we can work together for the benefit of all. And where we do disagree, open communication and a positive relationship can promote solutions and civility. It is our hope that President-elect Trump will accept our invitation to meet, and that he will continue our work to give AAPIs a seat at the decision-making table in the years to come.”

The text of the letter is below:

Dear President-elect Trump:

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I would like to cordially request a meeting with you to discuss pertinent issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Asian Americans are now the fastest growing racial population in the country and account for over 19 million Americans.  In addition, more immigrants now come from the Asia-Pacific region than from anywhere else in the world.

Since 1994, CAPAC has served as the leading voice for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community at the federal level. Our caucus is currently composed of 50 Members of Congress, including Members of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, representatives from the U.S. territories, and Members who represent large AAPI constituencies.  Together, CAPAC works to establish legislation and policies that address the needs of the AAPI community and works to advance the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. 

CAPAC has been proud to work with prior Republican and Democratic Administrations on significant accomplishments that are vital to both our community and our country, and we look forward to sitting down with you before the end of this year to discuss these priorities.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

JUDY CHU

Member of Congress

CAPAC Chair

華經會百分百可負擔新樓今日剪綵

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導)華人經濟發展協會耗時多年建成，座落在華埠的"好事福平安大樓"，今(11月22)日在波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)，波士頓市議會議長吳弭(Michelle Wu)，波士頓市議員林乃肯(Bill Linehan)，麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)等嘉賓出席中，剪綵。

這棟大樓佔地6萬平方呎，耗資2670萬元，共有67個單位，分套房，一睡房，二睡房等三種格局，全部為有收入限制，供低收入者租住的百分之百可負擔樓宇，由華人經濟發展協會(CEDC)，施家銘建築師樓，Consigli建築公司，東方銀行，北美乞臣集團等攜手合作，歷時近10年，才克服萬難建成的華埠內首座百分之百可負擔住宅。目前已全部出租。

波士頓市鄰里發展局表示，這一工程共創造了100個建築工作機會。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊表示，波士頓很幸運，有這些建造商，設計師等等，和華人經濟發展協會合作，為華埠建造了更多可負擔住宅。

好事福平安大樓就在中城文化區旁邊，原本是個停車場，新建後有11層高，內有48間套房(studio)，16間一睡房，3間二睡房單位。這些單位的出租對象是家庭收入在地區中位收入的30%至60%之間的貧苦人家。

2600多萬元的建造經費，分別來自波士頓鄰里發展局的”領路基金(Leading the Way Fund)”，”鄰里住宅信託基金(Neighborhood Housing Trust Fun)"，聯邦及麻州州政府的抵稅優惠，麻州住宅及社區發展署撥給的370萬元等等。

為了符合波士頓市的綠色可負擔宅計畫，這棟大樓採用了綠色大樓設計技術，或有美國綠色樓宇理事會發給的LEED住宅銀證，也符合美國環保署的能源星標準。

根據hotpads.com公佈在網上的資料，這棟大樓的420平方呎套房，月租976元，熱水及暖氣費包括在月租內。收入限制為一個人$32,500- $41,220，二個人$32,500-$47,100。

華人經濟發展協會成立於1974年，以增進波士頓市內華人社區經濟發展為宗旨的非牟利組織。該會董事長蔣宗壬對於該會為波士頓華埠又添一棟可負擔住宅大樓，很感欣慰，強調該會以服務社區為宗旨，今後將繼續勘查可發展機會。(所有圖片陳偉民提供)

Bunker Hill Community College and Phoenix Charter Academy Receive Gateway Cities Innovation Award

Bunker Hill Community College and Phoenix Charter Academy Receive Gateway Cities Innovation Award

BOSTON, November 22, 2016—The “Phoenix-Bunker Hill Partnership”—Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and partner Phoenix Charter Academy—was recognized with a 2016 Gateway Cities Innovation Award at the fourth annual MassINC Gateway Cities Innovation Awards. The awards ceremony was held on November 15, 2016, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Phoenix-Bunker Hill Partnership was one of only three recipients of the award, which recognizes organizations engaged in workforce development transformation in the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities. The Partnership was recognized for the learning lab they are creating in Chelsea, Massachusetts, one of the state’s Gateway Cities. The lab will be located in the College’s Bellingham Square Chelsea Campus building.

“Bunker Hill Community College has been a longstanding presence in the City of Chelsea,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “We are proud to continue to serve the community’s youth in new ways through this partnership with Phoenix Charter Academy.”

Due to the popularity and subsequent expansion of the College’s Chelsea Campus course offerings, the College announced this year that the Chelsea Campus will relocate to its fourth location in Chelsea in January 2017. The historic Bellingham Square Campus will serve as the location for the Phoenix-Bunker Hill Partnership. Community education courses and programs will continue to be held there in the evenings.

The Phoenix Network operates three college preparatory alternative high schools that provide rigorous academic environments for off-track teens and young adults who want to earn high school degrees and attend college. Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Chelsea will share space with Bunker Hill Community College in the College’s Bellingham Square campus, working closely with at-risk students to provide a high-support, high-expectation college pathway program.

“I consider myself an innovator on behalf of students,” said Phoenix Charter Academy Founder & CEO Beth Anderson. “I’m excited to partner with fellow innovator Pam Eddinger and Bunker Hill Community College to study how we can increase college persistence and completion rates with disengaged young people.”

MassINC is a public policy think tank uniting non-partisan research, civic journalism and independent polling, committed to expanding and supporting Massachusetts’ middle class. MassINC was built around the conviction that better outcomes would be achieved if policy makers and opinion leaders were armed with credible data and analysis about key issues surrounding quality of life in Massachusetts.

RESULTS OF BOSTON'S SAFEST DRIVER COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

RESULTS OF BOSTON'S SAFEST DRIVER COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

Release of scores show overall improvement in driver safety

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 22, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, together with the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM), today announced the preliminary findings from the Boston's Safest Driver competition and encouraged Boston drivers to sign up in the Boston's Safest Driver competition. Those who sign up for the app this week will be entered to win up to $4,500 in prizes. Boston's Safest Driver app was created in partnership with the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics and the Vision Zero Task Force, Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) and the Arbella Insurance Foundation. The smartphone app scores drivers on five behaviors associated with safer driving. To date, 98 users have been awarded over $3,400 in prizes, including prizes for people walking, biking or taking public transportation. Currently, more than 4,000 users have signed up for the app.  For the most active users of the app (the top 25 percent of users), phone distraction scores dropped by 47 percent, hard braking scores by 37 percent and speeding scores by 35 percent. 17 percent of all drivers using the app have gone 25 days in a row or more of no phone usage. "Our top priority is creating streets that are safe for Boston's pedestrians, cyclists and drivers," said Mayor Walsh. "We know that when drivers are more attentive, we save lives, and this competition is a fun way to encourage drivers to use more caution when traveling on our streets. With Thanksgiving travel approaching, I encourage all Boston residents to commit to safer driving, and I thank Cambridge Mobile Telematics and the Arbella Insurance Foundation for their partnership in making this possible." Boston's Safest Driver competition allows participants to challenge their family and friends, see how they rank in their community and win prizes for improvement each week. Between now and December 3, participants can download the app and win one of a dozen weekly prizes, provided by the Arbella Insurance Foundation, for everything from having the top score, to being the best new driver, to taking car-free trips. Downloading the app this week will also enter drivers into the grand prize competition where four skilled drivers will win up to $4,500 in prizes. "The competition is a fun way to approach a serious issue," said Kris Carter, Co-Chair of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. "Safe driving is one more topic to discuss around the table on Thursday and we hope people will show off their high scores to spur competition over the final two weeks." The competition will culminate on December 3, 2016, with the announcement of the safest drivers in the region to be announced shortly thereafter. A major goal of the program is to allow users to become more aware of their own driving habits, particularly distractions from mobile phones, which the app informs the user about after a drive has been completed. According to the United States Department of Transportation, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2014. In 2015, Mayor Walsh launched Vision Zero Boston as a commitment to focus the City's resources on eliminating fatal and serious traffic crashes in Boston by 2030. The Vision Zero initiative explicitly promises action on addressing distracted driving, reducing speeding, and the exploration of new engagement strategies - all goals that sparked the partnership between CMT and the City. To download the Boston's Safest Driver app, visit:https://www.boston.gov/transportation/bostons-safest-driver-competition To view Boston's Safest Driver video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ws47k1lrV0

麻州政府成立數位醫療保健理事會

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)麻州州長辦公室今(11月22)日宣佈成立由33人組成的”數位醫療保健理事會(Digital Healthcare Council)，將一年至少開會四次，並研擬出一份三年計畫，帶動麻州競爭未來10年將成長至320億元的數位醫療市場。

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)早在今年一月就推出了”麻州數位健康計畫(Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative)，現在進一步從科技，醫療服務，保險，醫療設備，生命科學，學術，政府等公、私營機構，徵召來31名專業人士，請他們幫忙找出利用新數位科技，改善麻州內的醫療護理，增加就業機會，並減少醫療開支的辦法。

麻州州長查理貝克和這"數位醫療健康理事會"今日在麻省總醫院(MGH)的醫療歷史及創新博物館，召開了第一次會議，重點討論有助於麻州創新醫療科技發展的策略及政策，希望充分利用在數位醫療領域，麻州已經居於領先地位的生命科學，電子醫療記錄，消費者可穿載設備，護理系統，付費管理，大數據分析及遠距醫療等。

新成立的這”數位醫療保健理事會"將由麻州長住宅及經濟發展辦公室麾下的創新，科技及創業助理署長Katie Stebbins，Vertex波士頓地區主席，董事長暨執行長Jeffrey Leiden等兩人擔任共同主席。

這一理事會成立後的首要責任，將是制定一份三年成長計畫，提出有哪些方法可推廣，加速麻州數位醫療創新的建議及目標。該會也將成立訂定支援計畫，以促進這些計畫的實施，並每年提交報告。

Governor Baker Establishes Massachusetts Digital Healthcare Council 

Advisory council will guide administration policy to support Massachusetts’ digital healthcare industry

BOSTON – Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced the creation of a Digital Healthcare Council, a comprehensive public-private partnership that will advise the administration on the future of the Commonwealth’s digital healthcare industry. The council stems from the momentum of the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative, launched in January 2016.

The council convenes leaders across the digital healthcare industry, including technology, healthcare delivery, insurance, medical devices, the life sciences, academia, and government, to advise on ways new digital technologies can improve healthcare in the Commonwealth, grow jobs, and reduce healthcare costs.

“For Massachusetts to become a national leader in digital health, we need to continue to build on the momentum our Digital Health Initiative has already produced,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This council will collaborate to move past barriers in the healthcare industry and solve significant challenges to make advances in patient care, lower health care costs, and address public health crises, like the opioid epidemic.”

Today, Governor Baker convened the first meeting of the Digital Health Council at the Massachusetts General Hospital Museum of Medical History and Innovation. The session focused on strategies and tactics that can help Massachusetts grow innovative digital health technologies. The digital health market spans a number of technologies Massachusetts is an established leader in, including the life sciences, electronic health records, consumer wearable devices, care systems, payment management, Big Data analytics and telemedicine. The digital health market is estimated to grow to $32 billion over the next decade.

“The digital health industry presents an enormous economic development opportunity for the entire Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The industry is poised to create jobs across the Massachusetts through its impact on patient care in community hospitals, potential for advanced manufacturing applications, and for our innovation hubs that span from Springfield to Lowell, to Worcester and New Bedford.”

The Council will be co-chaired by Katie Stebbins, Assistant Secretary of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship at the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and Dr. Jeffrey Leiden, Chairman, President and CEO of Boston-based Vertex.

“The digital healthcare sector plays directly to our strengths in Massachusetts - from world-class hospitals, universities and life sciences companies, to significant concentrations of VC investment,” said Dr. Jeffrey Leiden. “We at MACP are honored to have led this outstanding public-private partnership toward accelerating the growth of the digital healthcare industry in the Commonwealth and are excited about the future growth of this segment of the innovation economy as the state takes this initiative forward to the next stage.”

In January 2016 Governor Baker launched the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative, a public-private partnership established by Governor Baker, Massachusetts healthcare executives, legislative and municipal partners, and leaders in the business community including the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP). The Massachusetts Digital Health Council will help steer and shape that Initiative, as its initial responsibility will be to deliver a three-year growth plan to the Governor with recommendations and objectives for ways the state can promote and accelerate digital healthcare innovation across the Commonwealth. The Council will also establish and support projects that bolster the implementation of the growth plan, reporting on their progress via an annual report on the Council’s progress towards its objectives.

“EOHHS is looking forward to partnering with the Council to share ideas and advance digital health in our work,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services. “We know health data innovation can help us improve costs, care and  health outcomes, and has already helped us in addressing  public health issues, such as  the Commonwealth’s opioid crisis.”

“Massachusetts succeeds when we play to our strengths, and we have all of the resources necessary to become a global player in this space, as we are in the life sciences sector,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Digital health has unlimited potential to improve healthcare outcomes, lower costs and become a significant driver of job creation across the Commonwealth.”

The Massachusetts Digital Health Council will meet at least four times per year, and will be supported by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech (MeHI). The full list of Council members is below:

Co-Chairs:

• Katie Stebbins, Assistant Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• Dr. Jeffrey Leiden, Chairman, President & CEO, Vertex

Members (alphabetical by last name):

• Jay Ash, Secretary, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• Scott Bailey, Managing Director, MassChallenge
• Jeff Bussgang, General Partner, Flybridge Capital Partners
• Andrew Dreyfus, President & Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
• Sandra L. Fenwick, President & Chief Executive Officer, Boston Children's Hospital
• Alan M. Garber, Provost, Harvard University
• Dr. Atul Gawande, Executive Director, Ariadne Labs at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Louis Gutierrez, Executive Director, Massachusetts Health Connector
• Dr. John Halamka, Chief Information Officer, Beth Israel Deaconess System
• Kerry Healey, President, Babson College
• Colin Hill, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, GNS Healthcare
• Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO, Southcoast Health
• Dr. Erin Jospe, Chief Medical Officer, PatientKeeper
• Stephen Kraus, Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners
• Laurie Leshin, President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Travis McCready, President & CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
• Alice Moore, Undersecretary, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel, President, Brigham and Women's Health Care
• Ed Park, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, athenahealth
• Larry Renfro, CEO, Optum
• Martin Arnold Schmidt, Provost, MIT
• Peter Sherlock, Senior Vice President, Programs and Technology, Center for National Security & Director, Bedford Operations, MITRE Corporation
• Justin Steinman, Chief Marketing Officer, GE Healthcare Digital
• Dr. Steven Strongwater. President & CEO, Atrius Health
• Laurance Stuntz, Director, Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech
• Marylou Sudders, Secretary, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• Steven Tello, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship & Economic Development, UMass Lowell
• Dr. David Torchiana, President & CEO, Partners HealthCare
• Joel Vengco, Vice President & Chief Information Officer Baystate Health
• Kate Walsh, President & CEO, Boston Medical Center
• Rick Weisblatt, Chief of Innovation and Strategy, Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare