林書豪捐款100萬元給母校哈佛

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 美國男籃球星林書豪，今年10月26日，趁著來波士頓打這場”布魯克林網(Brooklyn Nets)”隊和波士頓凱爾特人(Boston Celtics)隊對抗的美國男籃開季賽時，宣佈捐款100萬元給母校哈佛大學，資助本科生財務援助計畫，並翻修校內籃球場。

林書豪在捐款時說，在哈佛的那些日子，奠定了他在球場上成功的基礎。他很榮幸能在哈佛獲得世界級的教育。

林書豪在哈佛時，為校內緋紅隊(Crimson)打了四年球，大四時還當隊長，曾經三度是常春藤盟校首選，也是常春藤盟校中第一個拿到1450分(1483)，450個籃板球(487)，400次助攻(406)，200次抄截(225)這歷史紀錄的球員。

自從林書豪在全美籃壇嶄露頭角後，他在2012年二月為紐約尼克斯(Knicks)隊打球時的得分之多為他贏得”林來瘋(Linsanity)”的稱號。其後他陸續為火箭隊(Rockets)，湖人隊(Lakers)，大黃蜂隊(Hornets)等打過球，現在屬於籃網隊(Nets)。

根據維基百科，他是美國男籃歷史中極少數的亞裔球員，也是第一個美籍華裔球員，是第二個進入美國男籃聯盟的哈佛大學畢業生。

哈佛大學籃球隊，以前的打球成績從來都不怎樣，但從林書豪在校起，該校成為常春藤盟校中最成功的球隊之一，曾經一連五年拿下常春藤盟校冠軍。

今年七月，現年28歲的林書豪和籃網隊簽下保證3800萬元的三年合約。

經濟部與Brandeis大學簽署攬才合作備忘錄

(左至右)經濟組石組長大玲、賴處長銘琪、布蘭代斯大學

Andrea Dine主任

為協助臺灣廠商及科研機構延攬人才，以提升競爭力及科技研發能量，臺灣政府近年積極延攬海外人才。繼2016年9月間由經濟部籌組攬才團訪問波士頓舉行需才廠商與海外人才間的洽談會，及拜會多所麻州知名高等學府洽談攬才合作後，本(12)月22日臺灣經濟部與麻州知名學府布蘭代斯大學正式簽署攬才合作備忘錄(Memorandum of Understanding)，奠定雙方未來合作基礎。

該備忘錄由駐波士頓臺北經文處經濟組石組長大玲代表經濟部，與布蘭代斯大學Hiatt學生職涯中心(Hiatt Career Center)執行主任Andrea Dine共同簽署，經文處賴處長銘琪擔任見證，經文處教育組黃組長薳玉、學務組陳組長珮瑩等多位同仁及Hiatt學生職涯中心副主任Sonia Liang在現場觀禮。根據該備忘錄，雙方未來透過連繫窗口交換臺灣廠商徵求海外人才及該校學生、校友求職之資訊，雙方還同意協助對方舉辦企業徵才活動，以媒合臺灣需才企業及該校之學生和校友。此外，如果該校學生、校友有意赴臺就業發展，經濟部將適時提供客製化之媒合服務，或該校籌集學生及校友訪問臺灣時，經濟部亦將協助安排參訪臺灣企業，及安排與臺灣需才廠商間之面對面洽談，以促成「需才」與「人才」間之有效對接。

布蘭代斯大學是具猶太淵源和背景、注重研究之私立高等文理學府，以國際經濟、商學、藝術、設計及生命科學等相關科系而聞名，自1948創校以來，每年都被US News and World Report排名在全美前35名的大學中，目前教職員數近1,800名，大學部學生達3,800多名，來自世界各國。 (圖文:經文處經濟組提供)

Cranston's First Lady launches first annual "First Lady's Art Awards"

CRANSTON, RI—A lover of the arts, Cranston’s First Lady Barbara Ann Fenton is inviting local artists to share their creative spirit this holiday season by launching the first annual “First Lady’s Arts Awards” in City Hall.

Soon, City Hall will be filled with paintings, drawings and collages and several winners will get the chance to go out to Newport Creamery for ice cream with the First Lady and her husband, Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung.

The theme is “Holidays in Cranston” and Cranston artists of all ages are welcome to submit a two-dimensional work of art using any medium, from finger paints and watercolors to chalk and ink (and everything in between). 

“I can’t wait to see City Hall filled with color and creativity from the community once submissions start rolling in,” Fenton said. “This is a great activity for Cranston students on their holiday break and is an opportunity for the community to celebrate the arts together in a public space.”

Entries can be dropped off at the Mayor’s Office on the third floor of City Hall during business hours until Jan. 3 and every work will be put on display in the building through mid-February.

Winners will be selected from the following age groups: 5 and under, 6 to 7, 8 to 9, 10 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 and older. There is no age limit. 

Submissions shouldn’t be larger than 11x14 inches. The name, age, address and parent contact information for the artist must be included on the back of the submission. 

Entries will be available to be picked up after being displayed at City Hall in mid-February.

BCNC和 CPA合作的零售業員工培訓班結業

華人前進會劉衛恆(後左一)和老師及畢業學員
合影。

BOSTON, December 22, 2016 – The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) graduated five students from the Pre-Vocational Skills for Retail Employment Training program. The 10-week training program, which helps low-income immigrants find full-time jobs in the retail industry, is funded by the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Workforce Development through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust. Students learn not only retail skills such as customer service, but also general workplace and job-search skills, and workplace English. The program helps link trainees and employer partners, including Bon Me Foods, Roche Brothers and Uniqlo. Three of the graduates have found jobs and two are in the interviewing process. The next training cycle begins on January 3, 2017. For more information and to apply, please visit the Chinese Progressive Association at 28 Ash Street, Boston, MA.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $245,000 Grant for Solar Canopy Installation at State Facility

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $245,000 Grant for

Solar Canopy Installation at State Facility

Funding Will Support Solar Canopy Installation at MassDOT Building

BOSTON – December 22, 2016– The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $245,000 in grant funding for the installation of a 490 kW solar canopy at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) research and materials facility in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.  The funding is provided by the Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) Leading by Example Clean Energy Grant Program for Solar Photovoltaic Canopies, which seeks to increase installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) parking canopies and innovative solar PV technologies at state facilities.  Today’s grant announcement represents the sixth award from DOER’s Leading by Example solar canopy grant program since 2014 and has resulted in the installation of over 6.5 MW of solar power at state facilities.

“Integrating solar technologies into MassDOT’s new research and materials facility demonstrates their commitment to embracing innovative technologies,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Commonwealth’s state facilities continue to lead by example in adopting new clean energy practices that reduce energy costs and emissions for all ratepayers.”

“Our Administration is committed to working across agencies to ensure clean energy innovation is implemented where it can have the greatest impact,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.  “This solar canopy will allow MassDOT to save energy costs and repurpose those resources for more vital operations while reducing emissions.”

The new MassDOT facility, currently under construction and nearing completion, will house the statewide research and materials testing laboratory.  The 490 kW solar canopy, in conjunction with a 40 kW rooftop solar PV system, will help offset a substantial portion of the building’s electrical demand.  The solar canopy project, which includes two Level II Dual-head electric vehicle charging stations, will be built at no cost to MassDOT through a third-party agreement with Ameresco. 

“The Commonwealth is at the forefront of integrating clean energy and energy efficiency technologies into our new state construction, setting the pace for the rest of the state and nation to follow our lead,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton. “As the cost of solar installations continues to decrease, the Baker-Polito Administration is committed to expanding clean energy integration to state facilities.”

“We are proud to work closely with the Department of Energy Resources and our partners in state government to incorporate innovative energy technologies into our transportation projects and systems,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to adopting renewable and clean energy technologies that allow us to minimize our environmental impact and lower energy costs across the Commonwealth.”

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering MassDOT’s electricity costs and contributing to the building’s LEED certification, the solar canopy will also provide shade and shelter from the elements for all customers and staff.  MassDOT will use this project as a pilot as they explore further deployment of solar canopies at their facilities statewide. 

“Through close collaboration with our fellow state agencies, DOER continues to prove that clean and renewable energy technologies can be successfully and cost effectively integrated into new state construction projects,” said DOER Commissioner Judith Judson. “We are committed to working closely with our partners across state government to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader for clean energy building practices.”

Solar canopy installations provide opportunities to state facilities to generate clean renewable electricity at operating parking areas, while reducing heat absorption on parking surfaces and shading parked vehicles.  DOER has provided grants to install solar canopies at six additional sites, including Roxbury Community College, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Lowell and Bristol County Community College.

“In the Legislature and in MetroWest communities, we continue to encourage innovative clean energy technologies, economic development and sustainability,” said State Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Hopkinton has a strong record in clean energy innovation, and this new installation will help our community to expand solar power at a lower cost.”

“Communities and businesses in the MetroWest have been leading the way in solar energy for a long time. The new MassDOT installation in Hopkinton is another exciting step forward for our area,” said State Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston). “This leadership by the state sets a great example for others and will result in environmental benefits as well as savings for residents of the Commonwealth.”

The program is funded by an allocation of Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) funds. ACP funds are paid by electric retail suppliers if they have insufficient Renewable or Alternative Energy Certificates to meet their compliance obligations under the Renewable and Alternative Portfolio Standard programs.

The Leading by Example (LBE) program works with state agencies to meet specific target for greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy consumption reduction and renewable energy procurement. Since 2007, state agencies have made significant progress, including reducing GHG emissions by 26 percent, generating 15 percent of electricity demand from onsite renewable and combined heat and power sources, and reducing heating oil use by 78 percent. LBE results have contributed to Massachusetts being ranked for the past five years as the number one state for energy efficiency in the country by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Governor Baker Nominates Edward F.X. Lynch to the Barnstable District Court

Governor Baker Nominates Edward F.X. Lynch to the Barnstable District Court

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker has nominated Edward “Ned”  F.X. Lynch, an attorney with civil, criminal, prosecutorial and defense experience, to serve as a judge in the Barnstable District Court.

“Ned Lynch is an accomplished attorney with exceptional temperament, intelligence and interpersonal skills,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “He has earned and maintained the respect of his peers, defense attorneys and judges and is an outstanding candidate I am pleased to nominate for the Governor’s Council’s consideration.”

“Attorney Lynch is an active and contributing member of the Barnstable County community and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the bench if confirmed,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “His twenty-four years of experience and his keen ability to be flexible, yet firm and scrupulously fair, in sentencing recommendations will serve the people of the Commonwealth well.”

There are 62 District Courts throughout the Commonwealth hearing a range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health and other case types, including all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, misdemeanors and violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws.

For more information about the District Court, visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/dc/.

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About Edward F.X. Lynch

Edward F.X. Lynch currently serves as an Assistant District Attorney in the Barnstable County District Attorney’s office where he is a Superior Court Prosecutor. Prior to that, Mr. Lynch served as the sole practitioner at his own criminal defense law firm after leaving Barnstable firm Manning & Lynch. He began his career as a law clerk at Walsh, Neville, Pappas & Mahoney in Chicago and then moved to Massachusetts where he served for the first time, in the Barnstable District Attorney’s office as an Assistant District Attorney from 1992 until 1997. Mr. Lynch graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in the School of Business Administration and from DePaul University College of Law in 1992.

AG HEALEY CALLS ON THE DPU TO INVESTIGATE INCREASE IN ALLOWED PROFITS FOR UTILITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

AG HEALEY CALLS ON THE DPU TO INVESTIGATE INCREASE IN ALLOWED PROFITS FOR UTILITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

Seeks More Transparency in the Department of Public Utilities’ Decision-Making Process; A Decrease in Shareholder Profits Would Save Customers Millions

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey this week called on the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to launch an investigation to explain why the allowed profits for Massachusetts utility companies are going up and are higher than the allowed utility profits in neighboring states. In a letter sent to the DPU Monday, AG Healey urged the DPU to shine more light on – and improve the process used to determine – utility companies’ allowed profits.

In her letter, AG Healey describes the DPU’s final decision-making process for a company’s allowed shareholder profits – known as its rate of return on common equity (ROE) – as less transparent than other public utility commissions. The DPU does not provide a road map or the specifics for how it arrives at a final allowed ROE number, and the final result often appears inconsistent with the DPU’s other findings.  Small changes in a company’s ROE can either cost or save customers millions of dollars.

“Massachusetts customers should not be paying millions more towards utility profits than customers in neighboring states,” said AG Healey. “As the ratepayer advocate for the state, we must ensure best practices and a transparent process that is understandable to the public. Our office is calling on the DPU to conduct a comprehensive and public review of utilities’ allowed profits and to bring more clarity and openness to the rate-setting process.”

            AG Healey’s letter follows a decision last week by the Connecticut Public Regulatory Authority to limit the allowed ROE to 9.10 percent for the United Illuminating Company. In October, the DPU allowed a much higher 9.9 percent ROE as part of National Grid’s recent $101 million rate hike, which is the highest ROE for an electric or gas utility company in Massachusetts since 2009.  If National Grid’s ROE was limited to 9.10, the rate allowed in Connecticut, its customers would save approximately $12 million per year.  In the most recent Massachusetts rate cases for Unitil and Eversource Gas, the DPU allowed each company a 9.8 percent ROE, similarly costing customers millions of dollars. 

The DPU sets a utility company’s ROE as one element of a company’s costs in a rate case. In making its ROE decision, the DPU considers evidence presented by the AG’s Office and company expert witnesses.

In her letter, AG Healey asks the DPU to explore a range of options for increasing transparency for the public, recommending that the DPU review its current practices, the practices of other states’ public utility commissions, and opportunities for improvement.  

Eversource Electric recently announced that NSTAR Electric and Western Massachusetts Electric Company will be asking the DPU to approve rate increases in January 2017.    

AG Healey’s Energy and Telecommunications Division works to ensure Massachusetts businesses and residents have access to reliable, safe and affordable energy. This matter was handled by Division Chief Rebecca Tepper, with the assistance of all of AG Healey’s Energy and Telecommunications Division.

更多波士頓公校畢業生有機會從波士頓大學無債畢業

(Boston Orange)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)和波士頓大學今(21)日宣佈，擴辦波士頓大學以波士頓公校高中畢業生為對象，已辦理7年的”波士頓大學社區服務獎”獎學金項目，以其更多學生有機會在無債務情況下完成學業。

從2017年秋季這學期開始，在大一新生之外，波士頓公校畢業生轉學進波士頓大學者，也可申請。

波士頓市四月時宣佈免費社區學院計畫，容許波士頓公校畢業生在市府的”免學費計畫”下，註冊入讀波士頓社區學院(Boston Community College)，邦克丘(Bunker Hill)社區學院，或洛士百利(Roxbury)社區學院。波士頓也推出了"兒童儲蓄帳戶(Children's Saving Account)"項目，幫助波士頓公校學生為將來接受大專教育存錢。

              波士頓公校學生畢業率，近年達到71%的歷史高點，完成大專學院教育的比率也持續上升，有大約30%的黑人及西班牙裔學生高中畢業，入讀大專院校後，在六年內完成了學業。

              波士頓大學的這一項目，目前支持150名波士頓大學本科生應付所有的財務需要，包括學費，食宿費，書籍，用品，旅費，雜費等等，完全不需要他們辦貸款。

            代理註冊級學生事務的波士頓大學副校長Christine McGuire表示，該校每年有35到40名大一學生參加這一項目，他們的畢業率有94%。學校方面的開銷是每名學生每年41,000元。

              2013年從波士頓拉丁學校畢業，現為波士頓大學英語系2017年級學生的Rosy Chen表示，”社區服務學者項目”是她和兩個姊姊，波士頓大學商學院2013年級的Anna Chen，2015年級的Helen Chan，都能夠在不需要貸款情況下，就讀波士頓大學的主要原因。他們的母親是裁縫，父親在餐館中工作。

              任何波士頓公校畢業生，按照波士頓大學入學許可標準被錄取者，都有資格申請加入這無債財務援助計畫。目前就讀兩年制社區學院的波士頓公校畢業生，在從社區學院畢業前轉學者，也可申請。

              波士頓大學表示，這項目從2009年起設立以來，已有384名波士頓公校畢業生享用了共3600萬元的獎學金。

              “社區服務獎”獲得者必須保持GPA2.0的成績，每學期至少修畢12個學分。在第一個學期以後，她們必須在輔導者指導下，每學期做25小時的社區服務，他們也必須每年申請財務援助，提供收入證明等文件。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR BPS STUDENTS

Scholarship expansion builds on City's commitment to create higher education opportunities for Boston students

BOSTON - Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston University (BU) today announced the expansion of the Boston University scholarship program for graduates of Boston Public Schools, offering even more students an opportunity to pursue their degree debt-free. The BU Community Service Awards , a seven-year-old program that has been limited to incoming freshman, will be made available to incoming transfer students who are Boston public high school graduates, beginning with the fall semester of 2017. "This scholarship will make a tremendous impact in the lives of our BPS students," said Mayor Walsh. "We know that BPS graduates are smart, dedicated individuals, and Boston University is offering them a fantastic opportunity to pursue their degree, without the financial burden so many students have to take on. I'm grateful Boston has a strong academic partner in Boston University, and look forward to BPS students benefitting from the expanded scholarship program." "Boston University is deepening its commitment to the City of Boston, as we remain dedicated to providing world-class higher education," said BU President Robert A. Brown. "We are pleased to be able to offer scholarships to Boston Public School graduates, and are hopeful this expansion of the program will allow more students from Boston to study and graduate from Boston University." The expanded scholarship program builds on Mayor Walsh's commitment to expanding higher education opportunities for all BPS graduates. In April, the City began a free community college program for BPS graduates, allowing students to enroll in a Boston community college at Bunker Hill Community College or Roxbury Community College under the City's Tuition Free Plan. In addition, the City of Boston has also launched the Children's Savings Account (CSA) program, helping BPS students save for their future college education. BPS graduation rates are at historic highs, with recent data capturing high school graduation rates at 71 percent. Boston is also seeing consistent progress in college completion rates, as approximately 30 percent of black and Hispanic students who enter college after high school complete their degree within six years. The BU program, which currently supports 150 BU undergraduates, meets the full calculated financial needs of students, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, travel, and fees, all without loans. Christine McGuire, vice president ad interim for enrollment and student affairs, says 35 to 40 freshman each year take advantage of the program, which has a graduation rate of 94 percent. The cost to the University averages $41,000 per year, per student. "The Community Service scholars program is the main reason why I'm even at BU. It's the reason why my two sisters were also able to attend and graduate from BU," says Rosy Chen (English 2017), a 2013 graduate of Boston Latin School who is studying computer engineering. Her sisters are also BU students: Anna Chen (Questrom School of Business 2013) and Helen Chen (Questrom School of Business 2015). Their mother is a seamstress, and her father works in a restaurant. "There was no way my family would have been able to afford putting my sisters and me through four years at BU each," said Chen. "But the Community Service program changed that. It's not very often that someone can graduate from a private institution without any loans, but the program made it possible for me and my sisters. And I'm grateful for that. With this degree, I'll be able to get access to more opportunities, whether it be grad school in the future or whatever career path I choose to follow." Any BPS graduate who is admitted based on BU's transfer admissions standards would be eligible for the expanded scholarship program and debt-free financial aid program. All BPS transfer students are eligible, including students who attend a two-year community college program, before graduating with an associate's degree and transferring to a four-year institution for their bachelor's degree. The program, created in 2009, has served over 348 Boston Public Schools graduates with over $36 million in scholarships. It provides a University faculty or staff mentor for each student as a resource and support throughout their four years. Community Service Award recipients must maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA and successfully complete at least 12 credits per semester. After their first semester, they are required to perform 25 hours of community service per semester, under the guidance of their mentor. They must also reapply for financial aid each year, including income verification documents.   The cost is mostly met with University scholarship funding.  If eligible, students in the program may also receive federal grants and work-study funding. Students must complete the normal financial aid process, which includes submitting a CSS Profile and FAFSA applications. BU also funds the Thomas M. Menino Scholarship Program, which supports up to 25 exemplary incoming students each year with four years' full tuition

好萊塢影星和前麻州長的祖先是同一個女巫?

一名好萊塢演員和一名曾經參選美國總統州長的遠祖，竟然是同一個女巫。

波士頓環球報今(21)日刊出一篇這樣的有趣報導，稱好萊塢演員Zach Braff向TMZ 影視證實，有一次搭飛機時，他和麻州前州長朗尼(Mitt Romney)巧合的比鄰而坐，聊了一會兒後，發現他們兩人都是麻州塞冷鎮(Salem)女巫， Rebecca Nurse的後代。這名女巫在塞冷女巫審判中，於1962年被處決了。

波士頓環球報同時指出，這消息其實並不新鮮，早在4年前，Zach Braff就在Reddit上發表了他這說法。

麻州牛頓元極舞健身會年終聚會 介紹元級舞養生緣由

出席活動的麻州牛頓元極舞健身會會員與嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉(中)和嘉賓，元極舞成員們一起切蛋糕。(謝開明攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市報導)麻州牛頓元極舞健康會12月18日中午在波士頓華僑文教中心舉辦”健康座談及社團開放日”，第一次在示範舞蹈，聚餐之外，請資深會員分享心得，以幻燈片介紹元極舞概要，鼓勵人們運動健身，享受快樂人生。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊指身體健康很重要。
(周菊子攝)

            曾秀梅，鄭玉春，曾建斗，宋玉琴，Heather等資深會員，經司儀宋玉琴介紹，當天一一分享跳元極舞的緣由，心得。會員湯玲玲還用幻燈片做了一場”認識元極舞”的介紹。

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊在會上應邀致詞，透露自已己持續跑步一年這祕密。他說，人生在世，甚麼都是假的，只有身體是真的。儘管財富，愛情，學歷，工作都重要，但是沒有健康這個一在前面，一切都是零。

曾秀梅。

            波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉當天因另有要務，後來才趕到會場，與元極舞會員們同切蛋糕慶祝，嘉勉會員們繼續健身，快樂生活。

            曾秀梅指出，2002年5月25日，”波士頓元極舞聯誼會”在僑教中心成立，那時的僑教中心主任就是歐宏偉。她在應邀參觀時，認識陳玲雪，蘇瑞珍兩位老師，見識到什麼是元極舞，很喜歡，當場加入，從此一練十幾年，沒間斷過。

出席嘉賓坐前排。

她覺得元極舞易學，輕快，又活潑，是揉合了武術，氣功的舞蹈，有至少18集不同內容，把練功，娛樂和健身，治病，巧妙的結合為一。學員們的年紀，國籍都很多元，老師也義務教學，的確是很好的運動。她自己也好幾次義務帶隊回台灣受訓。

司儀宋玉琴。

該會會長鄭玉春先感謝曾秀梅，鄭雪卿，余鳳子，梁慧玲等四名會員，以及該會總顧問曾秀梅，曾建斗，她丈夫曾政泉，Francies，Heather等人任勞任怨，服務精神感人，接著唸元極處世原則，”急事慢慢說，大事清楚的說，小事幽默的說，沒把握的事謹慎地說，沒發生的事不要胡說，做不到的事別亂說，傷害人的事不能說，討厭的事對事不對人的說，開心的事看場合說，傷心的事不要見人就說，別人的事小心地說，自己的事聽聽自己心裡怎麼說，現在的事做了再說，未來的事未來再說，如果對我有不滿意的地方，請你一定要對我說。。。，把會場中的人逗得樂不可支。

會長鄭玉春。(謝開明攝)

            Heather 大概是元極舞學員中唯一的西方人。她透露自己從台灣日活動接觸到元極舞，經人介紹，到僑教中心報名上課，覺得和一群快樂人相處十分愉快。她笑說沒想到自己來練元極舞，不知不覺已7年，希望未來7年還要繼續

            曾建斗是練元極舞的少數男士之一，當初來參加，只是為了應付姐姐曾秀梅的要求他做運動，練身體，卻沒想到就此被吸引，覺得自己的人生多了一到彩虹，身體比以前強壯。他也認為是元極舞幫助他變得更有自信，更敢於在公眾面前發言。

曾建斗。

            元極舞的資深會員湯玲玲，這天以幻燈片深入淺出的介紹元極舞緣由。她指出，元極舞其實是元極功法中的一種修練法，本來是蒙古人歡樂慶功的舞蹈，一度被封為國粹，其後逐漸被人遺忘，直到前幾年，中國大陸原籍法掌門人張志祥根據”元極密錄”編成現行的元極功法。

            湯玲玲坦言，自己當初接觸元極舞，也是因為身體健康的警鐘想起，其後能夠堅持練習，主要原因是元極舞的動作優美，音樂悅耳，病痛不治而癒。

鄭雪卿(右)。

            湯玲玲指出，在台灣的元極舞是1994年時，由曾赴湖北蓮花山學習的林榮昭創辦，引進，1999年8 月正式創立，名為”中華功法與元極舞研究會”，有著多元風格，編有不下12集功法，以及舉步，馬步，弓步，仆步等基本步法，四方拳，立拳，蓮花拳，勾手等基本手型。

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她說，元極人有紅上衣，白長褲的穿著要求，練習要點包括蓮花步，縮副提肛，頭頂尾椎垂直，鬆肩沉肘，以腰帶臂，以腰帶跨，力連指尖，演轉手動，音樂節拍等。她強調，練元極舞是為自身健康而運動，要了解正確姿勢，謹防運動受傷，練習量力而為，諮詢醫療專家等，如果微微出汗還有助排毒。有心練習者，網路上有很多參考資料。

                     當天到會的嘉賓還有波士頓前任僑務委員馬滌凡，前任紐英崙客家鄉親會副會長林展輝，現任副會長謝如鍵，新英格蘭台商會副會長林海倫等人。

                       該會每周二，四早上10點至下午1點，周日下午1點至5點，在波士頓華僑文教中心的牛頓市會址練習，每人每次收場地費一元。(部分圖片已於12/16/2016發表)

(謝開明攝)

(謝開明攝)

(謝開明攝)

林展輝(右)、謝如健(中)。(謝開明攝)

劉秀春展示會員們自製的美食。(謝開明攝)

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左)和元極舞會長鄭玉春(右)。(謝開明攝)

(謝開明攝)

謝開明攝

會長鄭玉春(左)和陳玫菁。(謝開明攝)

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES WORKSHOP COLLABORATION WITH AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES WORKSHOP COLLABORATION WITH AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER

BOSTON – December 20, 2016 – Boston Public Library’s Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center announces its collaborative workshop series with the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) in conjunction with its All the City’s a Stage initiative. All workshops take place at 6 p.m. in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square:

·         Digital Advertising on a Shoestring Budget: Tuesday December 20, 2016 at 6 p.m.

Led by Grace Geller, A.R.T. Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Digital advertising and marketing allow companies to easily evaluate the success of different tactics and offer a more flexible approach to marketing in today’s world. However, many smaller budget companies often do not have the financial ability to invest in hiring an outside firm to implement an elaborate digital strategy. This session focuses on some of the ways smaller budget companies can benefit from the increasingly digital marketplace and begin to internalize digital advertising.

·         How It’s Made: Producing for Theater: Tuesday January 3, 2017 at 6 p.m.

Led by Mark Lunsford, A.R.T. Line Producer & Ari Barbanell, former A.R.T. Director of Special Projects and Associate Producer at OBERON

The presenters discuss the process and challenges of producing at a nonprofit theater and the opportunities for producing plays in Boston.

·         Hitting Your Mark: An Intro to Performing Arts Branding: Tuesday January 17, 2017 at 6 p.m.

Led by Joel Zayac, A.R.T. Senior Graphic Designer & Robert Duffley, A.R.T. Publications and Artistic Programs Associate

How do arts organizations develop a distinctive visual identity? How do you tell potential audiences what to expect at your show without giving away the ending? Drawing from a range of historical and contemporary examples, this seminar offers a number of different strategies for performing arts brand formation. Participants will learn what goes into creating a strong graphic identity representative of an artistic mission. 

·         Public Speaking Tutorial: Strengthening Your Vocal and Physical Presentation Skills: Tuesday March 7, 2017 at 6 p.m.

Led by Erika Bailey, A.R.T. Institute Head of Voice and Speech

This workshop offers tips and tutorials for effective public speaking.

·         Fundraising for Theater: Tuesday March 21, 2017 at 6 p.m.

Led by Megan Hinckley, A.R.T. Director of Development

Discuss the process of fundraising for nonprofit theater organizations. 

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-four branches, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit bpl.org.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is one of the country's most celebrated resident theaters and the winner of numerous awards including multiple Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize and regional Elliot Norton and I.R.N.E. Awards, and named one of the top three regional theaters in the country by Time magazine.  Under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus the A.R.T. programs its season to fulfill the theater's mission to "expand the boundaries of theater," broadening its focus to include the audience's total experience and providing them with a sense of ownership in the theatrical event. The A.R.T.’s club theater OBERON, which Paulus calls a “second stage for the 21st century,” is an example of one initiative that has not only become an incubator for local artists but also has attracted national attention as a groundbreaking model for programming. Through all of its work, the A.R.T. is committed to building a community of artists, designers, technicians, administrators and audience. Critics and audiences have embraced the immersive environments that have become hallmarks of A.R.T. productions.