波士頓台灣人支持修正民法，力挺婚姻平權

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【波士頓台灣人支持修正民法，力挺婚姻平權！】

現在是台灣推動婚姻平權與民法修正案的關鍵時刻。我們要求執政黨與政府應允其選前承諾，落實基本人權：修改民法，推動真正的婚姻平權，拒絕假平等、真歧視的另立專法。

台灣同志與婚姻平權運動一路走來風風雨雨，近日國會三黨皆提出修改民法之草案，卻不斷被軟性杯葛、要求繼續召開公聽會、公投、另立專法，不斷拖延修法程序，更持續以言語與不實謠言散播恐懼、仇恨、謊言，不斷傷害同志朋友。11月28日，超過一萬位台灣人上街參與「相挺為平權，全民撐同志」活動，身在海外的台灣人與朋友雖未能親身到場，但是在台灣婚姻平權的最後一哩路上，我們能夠用別的方式陪同志朋友一同走完。

我們邀請所有海外挺台灣婚姻平權與民法修正案的朋友一同站出來，聲援上街的一萬多人，以及所有受到壓迫、無法享有婚姻保障、遭受不平等對待的同志朋友；也希望藉由此舉向蔡政府持續施加壓力，讓台灣的同志能夠享有和異性戀一樣的基本權益，也讓台灣成為亞洲第一個同性婚姻合法化的國家。

麻州在2004年成為美國第一個認可同性婚姻的州。我們將在全美第一例同性婚姻締結之處 - 劍橋市政府 Cambridge City Hall - 集會表達聲援。

地點：Cambridge City Hall, Mass Ave side
時間：Sunday, 12/04
3:45pm 活動 開始， 請準時抵達！

參與方式：攜帶彩虹旗、婚姻平權相關標語， 下載列印圖片與標語，邀請親朋好友一起現身支持台灣婚姻平權、修正民法！

歡迎短講分享。

中華專協 12/3 包場看李安新片

                       紐英崙中華專業人員協會特別包場放映

           Bill Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (比利．林恩的半場無戰事)

                                           

金獎導演李安繼《斷背山》、《色．戒》、《少年Pi的奇幻漂流》後，最新3D電影，以每秒120格的3D/4K技術，打造全新視覺革命和心靈震撼。
19歲的大兵比利，因一場擊潰敵軍戰役的畫面，恰巧被福斯新聞網捕捉，成為家喻戶曉的英雄。他和他的小隊戰友受邀從伊拉克返國接受總統布希授勳，一時間祖國鄉親、媒體記者、啦啦隊辣妹和好萊塢製片都等著見他，還要在德州超級盃現場與超級巨星碧昂絲同台表演。如夢似幻的凱旋之旅，全因為他們打了場勝仗，而他的同袍們，一個戰死，一個被炸斷了雙腿。 一場虛偽的榮耀之旅，九天如嘉年華會般的奇遇，讓比利看清這個虛幻的世界: 這感覺其實滿糟的，有人來表揚你這輩子最慘的一天。

放映時間: 12/3 Saturday ，9:15am入場，9:30準時放映，片長1小時51分
放映地點:  AMC Burlington : 20 S AVE BURLINGTON
                  (Bus #350 Alewife station 8:30 am- arriving Burlington Mall 8:59am)
票價: $11 (9:00am-9:15am) 付費領票，自備零錢，座位有限，不對號入座
訂票: 請告知中英文姓名及聯絡電話， 售票截止日期 12/1

           王世輝drwang123@gmail.com

麻州長邀州民今晚上州府同慶聖誕節

                       (Boston Orange)麻州正副州長，查理貝克(Charlie Baker)和白莉朵(Karyn Polito)邀州民於今(29)日傍晚5點到7點半之間，到州政府大樓，參加州政府聖誕樹亮燈儀式，慶祝每年一度的佳節來臨。

                       州政府大樓的Doric廳將從5點開始有人唱聖誕歌，5點半舉行正式亮燈儀式，6點起在大廳(Great Hall)放映聖誕電影”麋鹿(Elf)”，聖誕老人也將蒞臨助興。

                        會場的表演者及擺出展售單位者將包括波士頓兒童醫院合唱團，紅蘋果農場，Smolak農場，鱈魚角糧食(Cape Cod Provisions)，胡德奶製品(Hood Dairy)，銅壺烘培店(Copper Kettle Bakery)等。

                     麻州正副州長還特意提醒州民，麻州生產，通常在冬令季節享用的農業，園藝產品，有聖誕樹，盆栽，楓樹相關產品，酒，乳酪，蔓越橘，火雞，時令蔬菜，羊毛產品等等。

           波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)的年度聖誕樹亮燈遊，也將陸續進入市內各個社區。

12月1日(週四)晚6到8點，波士頓市長馬丁華殊將和新斯科舍省總理McNeil主持波士頓第75屆波士頓廣場(Boston Common)官方聖誕樹亮燈儀式。

一株新斯科舍省擁有，高47尺的白雲杉，將從Cape Breton 395號高速公路旁的 Ainslie Glen運到波士頓。

為增添慶祝氣氛，波士頓溜冰俱樂部將於當晚5到6點，在波士頓廣場的蛙塘(Frog Pond)舉行一場免費的花式溜冰表演，邀來參加過美國及國際溜冰比賽的個人，團體表演。活動最後將以施放Atlas PyroVision製作的煙火，為慶祝畫下句點。

波士頓第5號電視台WCVB將從當晚7點起做現場轉播。

從12月2日起至4日，第21屆波士頓市長的聖誕亮燈列車將開進波士頓各個社區。預定12月4日(週日)下午1:45，開進波士頓華埠的夏利臣街與必珠街交界處。

波士頓市長11/29辦"我們是波士頓"晚會

MAYOR WALSH AND OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT HOST 'WE ARE BOSTON' GALA

Proclamation of #GivingTuesday & Diane Guerrero Day, Celebration of Diversity and Immigrant Heritage

BOSTON - Monday, November 28, 2016 - Tomorrow, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), will host the 11th annual We Are Boston Gala. Mayor Walsh will offer proclamations for #GivingTuesday and Diane Guerrero Day, to celebrate her efforts with advocacy and philanthropy for comprehensive immigration reform, citizenship, and voter registration. Awards will be presented to Richard E. Holbrook, Chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank (Leadership Award); John B. Cruz III, President and CEO of Cruz Companies (Leadership Award); Clear Channel Outdoor (Community Champion); Melisa DePina (Youth Action Award); and Franchesca Tejeda (Youth Action Award). Hundreds of Boston's community members are expected to join together to strengthen the ability of diverse cultural and linguistic communities to play an active role in the economic, civic, social and cultural life in the City of Boston. This year's gala provides an increased opportunity to build awareness, allies, and support for Boston's immigrant communities.

想像波士頓2030進社區辦討論會

IMAGINE BOSTON 2030 ENGAGEMENT WEEK TO KICK-OFF ON WEDNESDAY

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 29, 2016 - Tomorrow, Imagine Boston 2030 will kick-off a week-long series of events across the City of Boston that offer residents the opportunity to talk directly with City leaders and the Imagine Boston team about Expanding Opportunity, Imagine Boston 2030's draft plan of priority action areas and major initiatives. Mayor Walsh recently released the draft plan, which highlights initiatives that will support a thriving Boston by expanding opportunity, supporting a dynamic economy, enhancing quality of life and preparing for climate change. All events as part of Imagine Boston week are free and open to the public, andregistration is encouraged. Wednesday, November 30 Enhancing Economic Mobility and Innovation Join us on a walking tour of Dudley Square, starting at Hibernian Hall, where we will discuss the area's evolution and opportunities for job growth and training in Roxbury and citywide. Hibernian Hall 184 Dudley St. 3:30-5pm The Future of Boston's Education Join us at the Bolling Building for a panel and discussion about how we can prepare learners of all ages for quality careers and create multiple pathways to success. Bolling Building 2300 Washington Street 5:30-7pm Thursday, December 1 Generating Networks of Opportunity: Investing along the Fairmount Corridor Meet us at South Station for a round-trip excursion on the Fairmount line to discuss coordinated investments to expand opportunity for residents and strengthen connections between key neighborhoods and the city's economic centers. South Station Meet under arrivals/ depar- tures board 4:30-6:30pm Friday, December 2 A Mixed-Use Downtown Meet us at the Burnham Building at 10 Summer Street where we will tour Downtown Crossing, the Theater District, Chinatown, the Leather District and South Station, learning about how the downtown has evolved recently and sharing our vision for mixed-use job centers and public realm improvements in the commercial core. Start: Burnham Building 10 Summer Street 4:00-5:30pm Saturday, December 3 Enhancing Our Neighborhoods and Completing the Emerald Necklace Starting at the Hubway Station at Blue Hill Ave. and Columbia Road, join City leaders for a tour from Franklin Park to Moakley Park and hear about the City's vision to connect Boston's neighborhoods and open spaces Start: Hubway Station at Blue Hill Ave & Columbia Rd. 10:00am- 12:00pm Enhancing and Expanding Neighborhoods Meet us at Brighton Music Hall and join us for a tour of Beacon Yards and Allston as we discuss our vision to enhance existing neighborhoods to improve neighborhood vitality, services, and affordability, as well as our complementary vision of expanding neighborhoods by creating new mixed-use neighborhoods at the edges of existing neighborhoods. Start: Brighton Music Hall 158 Brighton Ave. 2-4pm Sunday, December 4 A Waterfront for Future Generations Join Imagine Boston on a round-trip ferry ride from East Boston's Piers Park to Rowes Wharf and learn more about how we can encourage an active public realm and new open spaces, support existing and emerging job centers, and prepare for climate change along our waterfront. Start: Piers Park Conclude: Rowes Wharf 10:30-1pm Monday, December 5 Boston By The Numbers:  How do we plan, knowing the trends shaping Boston now and in the future? Come to the Mattapan Health Center and discover the data and trends around our city's growth, jointly presented by Imagine Boston and the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA). Mattapan Health Center 1575 Blue Hill Ave. 6:30-8pm ABOUT IMAGINE BOSTON 2030 Imagine Boston 2030, the first city-wide planning effort in 50 years, is Mayor Martin J. Walsh's initiative that will create a framework to guide the preservation, enhancement, and responsible growth of our city between now and 2030, with input from the public. This citywide plan will identify investments and strategies to provide quality of life and increase affordability, drive inclusive economic growth, promote a healthy environment and adapt to climate change and invest in infrastructure, open space and culture. For more information, please visit Imagine.Boston.gov.

杭亭頓劇院明年4月將表揚波市長馬丁華殊

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH AND TONY AWARD WINNER BILLY PORTER TO BE HONORED AT HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY’S SPOTLIGHT SPECTACULAR MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

(BOSTON) – Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Tony Award-winning artist and Topdog/Underdog director Billy Porter will be honored with the Wimberly Award at the 2017 Spotlight Spectacular on Monday, April 24, 2017. The Huntington’s festive annual event raises money to support the Huntington’s programs, including its award-winning youth, education, and community initiatives that reach more than 30,000 annually.

“Mayor Walsh is deeply committed to the arts in Boston,” says Managing Director Michael Maso. “During his tenure, his office has worked to ensure that arts and culture remain a top priority in the city. Mayor Walsh played the critical role in helping the Huntington stay on Huntington Avenue and because of his leadership, the Huntington is now able to embark on a new chapter in its history. Everyone who cares about theatre in Boston and the Huntington’s role in our cultural community is in his debt. It is a privilege to be able to honor him at the Spotlight Spectacular.”

“Billy Porter directed a sizzling remount of George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum in 2015, and we will welcome him back this spring to direct Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog,” says Artistic Director Peter DuBois. “Billy has proven that he is a man of boundless talent. We are delighted to honor Billy’s work at the Huntington and his many contributions to the American theatre community in April.”

Designed by Rafanelli Events, the lights come up at 6pm at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts and will feature a cocktail reception, a live auction offering one-of-a-kind items, a seated dinner provided by Max Ultimate Food, the presentation of the Wimberly Awards, and entertainment. The Gerard & Sherryl Cohen Award for Excellence will be given to two Huntington staff members who consistently go above and beyond in their contribution to the company. Guests will also have the opportunity to “Sponsor a Class” in support of the Huntington’s student matinee program and other education initiatives. Additional funds to support the Huntington will be raised through an online auction that will run from April 7 – 28, 21017.

CITY OF BOSTON AWARDED $50,000 FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER ASSESSMENT

CITY OF BOSTON AWARDED $50,000 FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER ASSESSMENT

BOSTON - Monday, November 28, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (BCBSMAF), today announced the City of Boston has been selected to receive a $50,000 Special Initiatives Grant to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, the first step towards developing Boston's first ever citywide strategy for prevention of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). The resulting assessment will be used to map current prevention efforts, increase access to underserved high-risk youth, and catalyze future investments in prevention. The Mayor's Office of Recovery Services (ORS) will use the findings of this assessment to develop a strategic plan to set prevention priorities and build comprehensive responses across the city. "Too many Bostonians know firsthand the devastation that substance abuse causes in our City's families and neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh. "This assessment will help provide a holistic overview that identifies gaps in coordination among the services and programs available for those struggling with addiction so that together we can build an unbreakable chain of recovery services. I thank the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation for their continued support in our recovery efforts, and look forward to using the findings of this assessment to strengthen Boston's recovery service system." "Through this partnership, we have a unique opportunity to collaborate with the City of Boston to include prevention education as part of the strategy to fight the opioid epidemic that has claimed so many lives in the city of Boston," said Audrey Shelto, President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. A six month process will begin in December to conduct a community needs assessment of drug and alcohol prevention programming, as well as an identification of best practice models and recommendations for the City of Boston. The assessment and work plan will consist of: Continued engagement with community stakeholders, with a particular focus on promoting diversity and increasing health equity across all Boston neighborhoods;   An environmental scan, including a service and gap analysis;   Review of promising practices resulting in a data informed, concrete, and actionable plan for using resources effectively;   A Youth Prevention Advisory Group - comprised of local youth substance use experts and key community stakeholders - will also be assembled to help guide this process. This effort will consist of collaborative efforts with community health centers, after-school programs, public/private schools, and faith-based partners to create a comprehensive city/county-wide prevention strategy. This process will allow ORS to be prepared to provide policy options or other recommendations that will address the current gaps in capacity and prevention needs. It will also better align the City's prevention services with best practices and lead to an innovative model for the City of Boston. "Identifying both strengths and gaps in current prevention efforts is key to continuing to grow and strengthen the work being done through a number of partnerships with public health, our health care partners, and the City," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. "We're grateful for MGH's long term commitment to addressing the national opioid epidemic, a public health issue that is deeply impacting Boston residents." "Under this partnership with BCBSMAF, the Mayor's Office of Recovery Services has a unique opportunity to comprehensively expand the scope of its prevention efforts to fully support our young people and their families," said Jen Tracey, Director of the Office of Recovery Services. In 2015, BCBSMAF partnered with the City of Boston to create Addiction and Recovery Services in the City of Boston, a Blueprint for Building a Better System of Care, a report on the status of substance abuse and addiction in the City of Boston. This report led to the creation of ORS and helped guide the office through its first year. ORS' initial efforts, rooted in BCBSMAF's findings, have led to tangible cross-agency coordination within the City, and successful advocacy for policy changes to enhance recovery services across Boston. In September, Mayor Walsh launched 311 for Recovery Services, the City of Boston's hotline support system designed to help people struggling with substance use and addiction to access recovery resources.

Baker-Polito Administration Reaches Agreement with Transportation Network Companies to Begin Implementation of Nation's Most Comprehensive State Background Checks

Baker-Polito Administration Reaches Agreement with Transportation Network Companies to Begin Implementation of Nation's Most Comprehensive State Background Checks

Voluntary agreements with Uber and Lyft begins implementation of public safety requirements of new TNC law one year ahead of schedule

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that the two largest Transportation Network Companies (TNC) in Massachusetts have entered into agreements with the state, ensuring the immediate implementation of the most stringent ride-for-hire background check system of any state in the country. 

The agreements were executed individually between the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Uber and Lyft. The agreements require the companies to begin background checks for all TNC drivers operating within the Commonwealth by January 6, 2017, and guarantees that every TNC driver in the Commonwealth will have passed the state background check no later than April 3, 2017.  

“The safety and security of the riding public is our top priority, and I am pleased this agreement will set a national standard for the most comprehensive state background checks for TNC drivers in the country,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With the signing of these agreements, consumers who take advantage of the innovative technology services provided by Transportation Network Companies can have confidence that the driver has undergone a thorough background check that includes both criminal and driving records.”

Background checks will begin a year ahead of schedule, highlighting the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of consumers utilizing transportation network services in accordance with An Act Regulating Transportation Network Companies.

“It is incredibly important that drivers employed with Transportation Network Companies are fully vetted before transporting people, along with their families, to their destinations,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By taking proactive steps with Uber and Lyft, our Administration is underscoring our dedication to safe travel options for all.”

Under the voluntary agreements, background checks will be conducted by the DPU’s newly created Transportation Network Company Division. Drivers employed by Uber and Lyft will undergo a full state Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background check, including confirmation that the driver is not a registered sex offender. Additionally, drivers will be subjected to a bi-annual national commercial background check conducted by the TNC companies. Drivers who do not meet the suitability standards set forth in the agreements will not be permitted to operate in Massachusetts.

  

“Transportation network companies have driven a tremendous amount of change in this industry, and with that change comes a responsibility to make sure that passengers using these services are as safe as they can be,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett. “I am pleased that the leading transportation network companies have agreed to have their drivers undergo a full state Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background check.”

In August, Governor Charlie Baker signed bipartisan legislation that created a modern statewide regulatory framework for TNCs within Massachusetts. The legislation, H. 4570, includes several components for the protection of consumers including support for transparent pricing, properly marked and inspected vehicles, clear insurance standards, authorization of service at Boston Logan International Airport and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), and the strongest state background check requirements in the nation.

“Public safety is the highest priority of the Department of Public Utilities’ Transportation Network Company Division,” said Department of Public Utilities Chairman Angela O’Connor. “By entering into these agreements, the TNC Division can immediately implement a comprehensive background check system that will protect consumers and enhance public safety, while allowing cutting edge technology companies to succeed here in the Commonwealth.”

As public safety aspects are implemented under these agreements, the DPU will continue to prepare draft regulations for public review and comment in 2017, ensuring that all remaining aspects of the TNC law are implemented on schedule.