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.