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星期四, 12月 29, 2016

"南京不哭"要日本記得"南京大屠殺"這歷史令人心痛

      (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導)跨入2017,就是南京大屠殺80週年了。儘管聯合國教科文組織在2015年已把中國申報的南京大屠殺檔案,列入世界記憶名錄,日本卻迄今從未就此向中國正式道歉。促使麻省理工學院教授鄭洪以英文寫作南京不哭(Nanjing Never Cries)”一書的原因,如今依然在。
      1227日,日本首相安倍晉三在美國總統奧巴馬陪同下訪問珍珠港,悼念在日本偷襲珍珠港時大約2300名的美軍死難者,但70多年來,日本卻從未到南京,或當年滿州國的東北去悼念更無辜,遭遇更慘的中國百姓,實在讓中國人情何以堪。
      簽書留言時常寫一句書成國恨心猶烈的鄭洪,每提起南京,心頭就湧起萬般滋味。他希望有一天,有人能把南京不哭這本小說,和其他的相關題材,資料揉合起來,拍一部像辛德勒名單那麼有震撼力的電影,更廣泛的讓西方世界知道,有2030萬的中國百姓是那麼無辜,悲慘的受害者,日本絕不是不少美國人認定的二次世界大戰受害者。
      祖籍廣東省茂名縣的鄭洪是19376月出生的。幾十天後,盧溝橋事變,中日開戰,他跟隨家人逃難,飛機來時要拼命跑,沒被機關槍掃中,就趕緊躲進防空洞。轟炸結束後走出來,只見亂竄火苗,處處硝煙,遍地焦屍,悲切的哭聲不斷傳來。
      這經驗深埋在他心中,讓他一直有著有朝一日要寫本書,描述這段歲月的心願。抗日勝利後,他隨家人遷居香港,1949轉澳門,然後到台灣,進建國中學,台灣大學,赴美深造,並成為麻省理工學院教授。
      真正促使鄭洪提筆的導火線,是1995415日那天,兩名同事突然跟他說,有個專題研討會在扭曲歷史,他最好去聽聽。那是在MIT一座大樓的9105室,3名白人,1名日本人的4個講者,向2300名聽眾說日本在二次世界大戰中為了保衛自己的特有文化,抵抗西方侵略,受傷最重,苦難最多,如果不是因為某些因素,事件,美國也許不會把原子彈在廣島,長崎。
      鄭洪當天在會場上發言,卻被當成空氣。他說事後從不少年輕人那兒知道,原來美國有許多中小學的歷史課就是這麼教的,認為兩顆原子彈,使得日本成為二次世界大戰的最大受害者。他事後投書MIT校報,文稿竟被刪了一大半。
      鄭洪心裡很不平衡,為美國言論的其實並不自由,為中國的無辜受日本戰火侵襲,為2030萬平民百姓被日本殘暴屠殺遭遇,感到極度不公平。
      那年的教授休假期,他到南京住了3個月,親自走訪了兩名南京大屠殺受害者,常志強,姜根福,參觀南京大屠殺博物館,蒐集了許多資料。
      鄭洪說自己選擇以小說的形式,還要用自己並不擅長的英語來處理南京大屠殺這題材,主要是希能引起更多人關注南京大屠殺這段歷史,還沒有得到公正對待的事實,讓西方人知道,在東方中國,日本曾做出比希特勒對猶太人還殘暴的行為,而且規模之大,遠不成比例。
      他知道市面上已經有張純如等人出版的南京大屠殺書籍,也有以南京大屠殺為題材的電影,但是別說西方人,就連中國人自己,恐怕也還有很多人不清楚。他希望這本書能促使西方社會知道這段歷史,讓哪些無辜犧牲的人得到公平對待。
      鄭洪的努力,得到很多人的幫助。他的鄰居愛麗霞(Alexa Fleckenstein)每星期二下午和他一起修改稿建的英文,前後十年,稿件大修不下10次之多。MIT出版社負責人Ellen Faran原本回覆是麻省理工從來不出版小說,但二個月,把書看過兩遍後,她決定以MIT前任校長姓名,成立了Killian Press這個部門,來出版英文版的南京不哭
      中國大陸鳳凰傳媒集團下的譯林出版社也已於1213日,中國大陸第三屆「南京大屠殺死難者國家公祭日」這天,發行中文版。

            現在就看有沒有人來拍一部南京不哭電影,提醒世人,南京大屠殺中的廿,三十萬冤民,正義待伸。






波士頓市獲得廣州2016年國際城市創新獎


CITY OF BOSTON RECEIVES 2016 GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

Boston's youth participatory budgeting process recognized as top civic engagement practice
Francesco Tena, left, accepts the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation on behalf of the City of Boston from Parks Tau, right, former Mayor of Johannesburg.

BOSTON -  Thursday, December 29, 2016 - Mayor Walsh today announced the City of Boston was awarded the top prize at The Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation's international convening held in Guangzhou, China. Boston's youth participatory budgeting process, "Youth Lead the Change," was selected from 301 innovation projects submitted by 171 cities to receive the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation. Boston is the first city in the United States to receive this award.

"We know Boston is a forward-thinking, innovative city, and I'm proud that our work has been recognized by this international award," said Mayor Walsh. "Through Youth Lead the Change, we are involving our young, bright residents in local government, and empowering them to make positive changes in their neighborhoods. Congratulations to everyone involved in this initiative."

The Mayor's Youth Council, a key initiative of Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) Division of Youth Engagement & Employment, has facilitated Youth Lead the Change since 2014. Youth Lead the Change has gone through three voting phases and funded 17 projects totalling $2.8 million. Projects funded include providing laptops in schools, park renovations, adding trash cans and recycling bins, and installing wifi in schools and community centers. Since the program began, delegations from countries around the world have visited Boston to learn from its approach to youth engagement.

The Guangzhou Award recognizes innovation in improving social, economic and environmental sustainability in cities and regions that advance the prosperity and quality of life of their citizens. Presented bi-annually, the award encourages and recognizes outstanding innovative projects and practices in the public sector.

"The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation has made a very positive impact," said Parks Tau, president of United Cities and Local Governments, a co-organizer of the event. "The whole world is experimenting with innovative projects on sustainable development," Tau said. "We need to learn from each other, to copy, promote and share new concepts."

Francesco Tena, Manager of the Mayor's Youth Council, was sponsored by the Guangzhou Institute to travel to China on behalf of the City of Boston to compete for and accept the award.

"Boston is providing a platform for young people to lead today while also making government more accessible and responsive," said Tena. "Cities around the world are realizing that there are huge benefits to engaging young people meaningfully in local government."

Youth Lead the Change has received other honors in the past: in 2015, the U.S. Conference of Mayors awarded the program the City Livability Award and in 2016 it received the Civies Award from MassVote.

The Mayor's Youth Council is currently collecting ideas on how to spend this year's allotment of $1 million. The funding is placed in BCYF's budget each year specifically for this project. To submit an idea, visit https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-centers-youth-families/youth-lead-change.

星期三, 12月 28, 2016

大波士頓週四可能降雪18吋

       (Boston Orange)冬天,真的來了。麻州正準備迎接今冬的第一場暴風雪。國家氣象局發出了冬季風暴警告,表示星期四,1229日這天,麻州有些地方可能降雪18吋。
      大約從星期四的早上9點到星期五的早上10點,麻州西部的某些地方會降雪812吋。
      麻州緊急管理局表示,有些地方的積雪可能高達18吋。

      128公路以內,降雪量會少於6吋,麻州東南部及鱈魚角等島嶼,可能完全不下雪。

麻州點亮以色列光明燈 市長強調波士頓歡迎所有人

在柯普利廣場舉行的以色列光明燈節。(周菊子攝)
麻州州長查理貝克點亮光明燈。(周菊子攝)
      (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)2017年即將來臨,雞鳴聲也將響起,麻州州長和波士頓市長等人1227日晚在波士頓柯普利廣場,聯袂點亮猶太人的9燭光明燈(Menorah Lighting),為未來的世界自由、和平祝禱。
      由於聯合國才剛在1223日時通過決議案,指以色列佔領東耶路薩冷,移民屯墾是非法行為,以色列總理南特亞胡(Benjamin Netanyahu)立即譴責美國在聯合國安理會中投棄權票,有個猶太女婿Jared Kushner的美國候任總統川普(Donald Trump),也馬上表示美國應該動用否決權。2017年看來不會很平靜。
      關心麻州科技界的人,大概都知道,麻州挑戰(Massachusetts Challenge)”的第一個國外分支,設在以色列,麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)上任2年後,率領出訪的首個貿易團,也是去以色列。麻州和以色列的關係,勢必更將備受矚目。
右起,麻州州長查理貝克,以色列駐新英格蘭領事Yehuda Yaakov,
波士頓市長馬丁華殊,波士頓市議員查金,麻州眾議員Jay Livingston
(左一)等光明燈節嘉賓。(周菊子攝)
      麻州州長查理貝克是129日率領貿易團,到以色列訪問了6天。27日晚,查理貝克面對2~300名圍觀儀式者表示,雖然這次訪問以色列,主要是為了網路安全,數位健康,搭起麻州和以色列的交流橋樑,但去到那兒,親眼見到自己從小在課本,歷史裡中學到事件,文物,感受每一個地方都有2~3000年的悠久,真的很震撼。他祈願大家2007年和平,快樂,安全。
      波士頓市市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)說,在波士頓我們歡迎所有不同背景,不同信仰的人,致力推廣把人們團結在一起的光明,溫暖,付出和友誼,希望每點亮一根蠟燭,都能帶動對抗黑暗,引人向善的力量。
Menorah這光明燈節又稱Hanukkah,是猶太人慶祝當年脫離塞琉西王朝統治,獲得自由的一連8天慶祝活動。1227日是今年的光明燈節第四天。
麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)。(周菊子攝)
      過去33年來,倡議正統猶太運動的大波士頓加巴德猶太中心(Jewish Center Chabad Boston)和大波士頓加德屋(Chabad House of Greater Boston)每年都在麻州地鐵公園街站附近,舉辦燭光慶祝會。今年更請動麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker),波士頓市市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh),本身是猶太人的波士頓市議員查金(Josh Zakim)出席,搭著雲梯,升到22尺高的光明燈檯頂端,點亮燈檯上的蠟燭。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(中)等人。(周菊子攝)
      以色列駐新英格蘭領事Yehuda Yaakov,這晚也應邀出席。他在致詞時感謝查理貝克前些日子接受WGBH訪問,談以色列之旅時,對以色列的稱讚,強調以色列已再次拿回(reclaim)耶路撒冷,也將永遠不再讓需要重新拿回的情況出現。耶路薩冷將保持為領土統一的以色列國首都。
波士頓加巴德猶太中心牧師Mayer Zarchi說明光明燈節慶祝以色列獲
得自由。(周菊子攝)

剛結婚的波士頓市議員查金(Josh Zakim)也是猶太人。(周菊子攝)

以色列駐新英格蘭領事Yehuda Yaakov強調耶路薩冷是以色列國的統一
領土。(周菊子攝)







麻州將建全美最大種大麻廠 參眾議會暫緩大麻上路

      (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)前兩天才為麻州將建全美最大的大麻工廠高興的人,這會兒得等一年再高興了。麻州議會1228日修訂提案,決定把零售大麻的第一張證照,延遲到20187月再發。
      藥用大麻在美國,原本一向是加州走在前頭,去年麻州選民才剛藉選票問通過大麻合法化,今年12月就傳出AmeriCann這家公司要在麻州建造的種大麻廠,規模遠比加州大,麻州的將是全美最大大麻州,立即引起各方關注。
      或許正是因為這樣的關注,麻州參眾議會在1228日這天決定,延緩牌照發放討論6個月。雖然大麻合法化的新法,已於1215日生效,但是待細則條文確定,廠商真的可以申請銷售大麻時,可能已是20184月了。
      參眾兩會打算召開多個會議,討論一旦大麻合法化上路後,該訂立些什麼樣的管制條款。
      因為這一行動,麻州財政廳廳長高柏珂(Deb Goldberg)可以等到20179月,再組成管轄大麻種植,銷售的大麻管制委員會(Cannabis Control Commission)”
加州在藥用大麻上,一向走在美國前端,2015年的毛收入已達28億元,估計2020年時還可高達65億元。加州最大的種大麻工廠G Farms今年(2016)6月也宣佈,要在沙漠溫泉(Desert Hot Spring)鎮上,建造一個佔地10萬平方呎,包括在7畝地上有3個溫室的大麻工廠。
和來自科羅拉多州AmeriCann公司的計畫一比,加州G Farms的計畫黯然失色。

AmeriCann執行長Tim Keogh表示,20173月,要在Freetown建造一個佔地53畝的大麻工廠。那是該公司今年秋季以4475000元買下的100萬平方呎Canna企業園,要在那建效率更高的溫室,檢測實驗室,研發訓練中心,企業辦公室。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Seafood Marketing Program Partnership with Massachusetts Farm to School

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Seafood Marketing Program Partnership with Massachusetts Farm to School

BOSTON – December 28, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)’s Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Program has partnered with the nonprofit Massachusetts Farm to School Project to promote the consumption of local seafood in schools.

“The Massachusetts commercial fishing and seafood industries provide delicious food and employment for thousands of people in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This is a great connection to make and we look forward to the partnership between Massachusetts fishermen and farm-to-school programs to provide the Commonwealth’s children with fresh, nutritious seafood products that support cognitive development.”

“Increasing sales of local seafood to schools will not only help find new markets for Massachusetts fishermen, but will also address the critical issue of access to healthy food, and introduce future consumers to the benefits of incorporating seafood into their diet,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to launch this initiative that will both help keep our children healthy, and support the Commonwealth’s vital fishing industry.”

During the two-year partnership, the partners will promote seafood as part of Massachusetts Farm to School’s Massachusetts Harvest of the Month campaign, hold a series of local seafood cooking demonstrations for institutional food service providers, and offered a seafood focus track at the Massachusetts Farm & Sea to Cafeteria Conference in November 2016.

This partnership helps DMF better increase awareness and preference of Massachusetts seafood to support the Commonwealth’s seafood industry and communities by reaching schools, universities, and hospital food service staff, educators, and families though Massachusetts Farm to School’s network,” said DMF Director David Pierce.

The Baker-Polito Administration launched the Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Program in August 2016 to increase awareness and demand for local seafood products and support Massachusetts’ fishing and seafood industries.
“Promoting a joint venture of locally produced seafood, fruit, vegetables, and other produce is not only a great way to support fishermen and fishing families the port communities that support the seafood industry, it also reduces environmental impacts of transporting foods long distances, gives a real boost to our quality of life and it promotes a healthy diet,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This partnership between harvesters of the land and sea will bring good nutrition to our students and yield many benefits including a greater awareness of the excellent results of Massachusetts produce.”
“The Farm to School program has been immensely successful in the Commonwealth and including locally sourced seafood into the mix is a necessary and welcome progression,” said State Representative Paul Schmid III (D-Westport), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.  “I am thrilled to see that the Baker-Polito Administration is further promoting seafood products here in Massachusetts while providing schools with fresh, local food.”

“The Farm to School Project was discussed at our Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Steering Committee meeting earlier this month.  I am delighted to see this official partnership facilitated by the Baker-Polito Administration,” said State Representative Susan Gifford (R-Wareham).  “Massachusetts seafood is some of the best in the world and locally sourced seafood will be a healthy and delicious addition to menus across the Commonwealth in our schools.”

Massachusetts Farm to School is a statewide organization that strengthens the connections that communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by influencing food purchasing and education practices at schools. In October 2016, Governor Baker declared October as Massachusetts Farm to School Month to support Massachusetts’ farm to school programs and the Massachusetts agricultural industry.

“We are very excited to add seafood to our successful Harvest of the Month campaign as the featured item for the month of May,” said Simca Horwitz, the Eastern Massachusetts Director of the Massachusetts Farm to School Project. “Over 150 K-12 schools, colleges, and hospitals in Massachusetts are participating in the campaign, which we expect to translate into at least 800,000 servings of locally caught seafood just during the month of May. We hope this can be the starting point for sustained purchases of local seafood by institutions across the Commonwealth.”

Click here for more information about the Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Program. Find more information about Massachusetts Farm to School and the Harvest of the Month campaign here.

AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, INFORMATION TO BE AVAILABLE IN 14 LANGUAGES

AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, INFORMATION TO BE AVAILABLE IN 14 LANGUAGES
Minimum Wage Set to Increase to $11 on Jan. 1, 2017

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey is reminding the public and employers in Massachusetts about the increase in the minimum wage that is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. The AG’s Office has updated its wage and hour poster that employers are required to display. It will be available in 14 languages and in formats that employers, workers, members of the public, and organizations can access. 

“We are advising people about the minimum wage increase so that employers are aware of their obligations under the law and so that workers know their rights,” AG Healey said. “Through education, outreach, and enforcement actions where appropriate, we will continue our work to protect the economic security of Massachusetts workers and their families.”

In July 2014, the Legislature passed the first increase to the minimum wage since 2008. Pursuant to that legislation, effective Jan. 1, the minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour.

Also effective Jan. 1, tipped employees (those who receive more than $20 a month in tips) must be paid a minimum of $3.75 per hour, provided that, with tips, the employee receives at least $11 per hour. If the total hourly rate for the employee, including tips, does not equal $11, then the employer must make up the difference.

Hard copies of the AG’s Wage and Hour poster will be available in Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. To request a copy, please visit www.mass.gov/ago/fldposter or call (617) 963-2250. Additionally, the following languages will be available to print on the AG’s website: Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

The Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division enforces laws that protect workers, including minimum wage, payment of wages, overtime, tip pooling, child labor, Sunday and holiday premium pay, and the public construction bid laws.

The Division has broad powers to investigate violations and enforce these laws through criminal and civil actions. The Division protects employees from exploitation, prosecutes employers who are failing to follow state wage and hour laws, and sets a level playing field for law-abiding employers. The AG’s Office ensures that strong economic growth and fairness for workers go hand-in-hand.

In September, AG Healey issued the first-ever Labor Day Report on her office’s efforts to combat and prevent wage theft. The report shows that in fiscal year 2016 alone, the office recovered $3.8 million in restitution and penalties on behalf of working people in Massachusetts.
To increase resources available to victims of wage theft, the AG’s Office is working with community partners, law schools, and private bar attorneys to host free monthly wage theft clinics at Suffolk Law School. These clinics are part of an effort to address wage theft and worker exploitation among vulnerable populations, including low wage and immigrant workers in the state. The goal of the clinics is to help workers get the wages and benefits they deserve. More than 70 workers have attended the first three clinics and received assistance with a range of wage theft issues. The next clinic is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2017. For more information on these clinics, please click here.

The AG’s Office has also revamped its workplace rights website with a new design and innovative features, including searchable public data and content in various languages. The new easy-to-navigate website allows workers to better understand their rights and for employers, their obligations under state law.
Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in their workplace can also call the office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465. More information about the state’s wage and hour laws is also available in multiple languages atwww.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor.

星期二, 12月 27, 2016

楊信宜古箏學生冬季音樂會 1/14

2017年楊信宜古箏學生季音樂會將於114日﹝星期六﹞下午二時正假Town Center of Bedford, Union School Room (2nd Floor) 舉行,學生將以獨奏形式演繹傳統與現代曲目,展現學習成果,活動公開免費,歡迎愛樂的朋友前往欣賞。地址:12 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730,查詢電話:617-782-3000﹝楊老師﹞、shinyi2007@gmail.com

吳新興:台灣技職教育歡迎僑生前來就讀

僑務委員會委員長吳新興(第一排中)、僑生處處長莊瓊枝(第一排
右三)、財團法人海外信用保證基金董事長林寶惜(第一排左三)
與參與僑僑生技職專班招生及輔導工作經驗分享會各校人員合影。

僑務委員會委員長吳新興27日在僑生技職專班(俗稱3+4)招生及輔導工作經驗分享會開幕式表示,台灣要輸出優秀技職教育,鼓勵東南亞僑生來台就學,創造雙贏局面。
吳新興表示,僑委會除了推動海青班,並於103年開始擴大辦理3+4僑生技職專班,鼓勵僑生來台學得一技之長並取得學位,將來回到僑居國能開創事業,也可留在台灣貢獻所學,希望各校互相合作,擴大招收僑生。
吳新興指出,僑生教育是僑務工作最大成就之一,許多東南亞國家各行各業領袖人才都是留台校友。僑生教育推動一甲子以來,已培育超過12萬名的留台校友。他表示,許多僑生來自馬來西亞,期許未來能擴大招收越南、緬甸、菲律賓的僑生。另外,政府現正推動「新南向政策」,他也要求各校深入瞭解東南亞各國國情,吸引華僑子弟來台就學,並給予僑生關懷及輔導。
僑委會辦理僑生技職專班,至今有5所學校參與,明年將擴大為15所學校共襄盛舉。為了讓新參與之學校瞭解相業務,於27日舉辦工作經驗分享會,邀請同德家商、成功工商、莊敬高職、萬能工商、中山工商、三信家商、方曙商工、東泰高中、高苑工商、協志工商、六信高中、大德工商、大慶商工、樹德家商、華德工家及正修科大出席。
財團法人海外信用保證基金董事長林寶惜到場,說明提供建教僑生專班就學貸款業務,各校並進行經驗分享,也邀請外交部領事事務局、內政部移民署及新北市政府教育局人員到場座談。

State Officials Announce Continued Partnership to Promote Electric Vehicles

State Officials Announce Continued Partnership to Promote Electric Vehicles
Program Will Result in Consumer Awareness and Adoption of Electric Vehicles in the Northeast
BOSTON – December 27, 2016 – State energy and environment officials today announced the award of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to assist in further collaboration between the Commonwealth and Plug In America to accelerate the deployment of electric, plug-in electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, collectively referred to as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), in the Massachusetts. DOE selected Plug in America and Clean Cities programs in Massachusetts, as well as in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont, to provide funding for continued public, workplace and fleet events over the next two years.  Massachusetts currently offers rebates to customers purchasing electric vehicles through the MOR-EV program. The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced $12 million in additional funding for MOR-EV, representing more than double the rebate funding over the lifetime of the program.

“The innovative test drive initiative funded by the program is proven to help shape consumer perceptions of driving electric and how easy it is to make the switch away from petroleum to make our environment cleaner,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The continuation of Mass Drive Clean federal funding will leverage our successful experience in the Commonwealth with that of our fellow New England states towards a collaborative effort to promote the positive impacts of zero emissions vehicles.”

Mass Drive Clean is a highly successful pilot program funded through a DOE grant in 2015 that resulted in over 650 drivers and passengers test driving one or more electric vehicles at employer sponsored and public events. The program was continued this year with over 1000 test drives to date. The drives are a way for interested drivers to get behind the wheel of multiple makes and models of these clean vehicles.  Each driver is surveyed before and after driving, with 83% saying that their overall opinion of a ZEV is better than before their test drive and 68% said that were more likely to purchase one now that they had experienced the performance of the cars. Plug In America has shown in California that about 10% of ride and drive participants will purchase a ZEV within six months. Surveys to Massachusetts test drivers are being sent about 6 months after their drive to document results here.

“Mass Drives Clean proves that by giving consumers the firsthand experience of operating an electric, they are much more likely to purchase a vehicle and help take a traditional vehicle off the road,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “The increased adoption of electric vehicles is a vital component of Massachusetts reducing emissions to meet our targets under the Global Warming Solutions Act

Automotive dealership training and recognition is another component of the DOE program and will be rolled out first in Massachusetts under this grant. This project is one of only three ZEV showcase projects funded by the U.S. DOE around the country, one in the mid-west and one in the northwest.

Plug In America is the leading national consumer voice promoting the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States to consumers, policymakers, auto manufacturers and others. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. www.pluginamerica.org. 

星期一, 12月 26, 2016

陳仕維,黃立輝連任波士頓安良工商會會長

波士頓安良工商會新屆職員就職典禮。前排右起,梅炳鈿,梅惠聰,陳仕維(前又四起),陳家驊,經文處長賴銘琪,黃立輝,朱自律,李厚鵬。後排右起,陳文浩。黃國健,李天生,伍輝民,司徒炳思,阮鴻蔡,翁英宏,周榮佳,鄧北海。(波士頓安良工商會堤共)
              (Boston Orange)波士頓安良工商會今(1226)日中午,在波士頓華埠乞臣街會址舉行就職典禮,兩名會長陳仕維,黃立輝在紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊監誓中,接過印信,連任會長一年。
經文處處長賴銘琪致詞。
              波士頓安良工商會去年底發生會務震盪,總部介入處理後,指派七人小組接管。今年四月全美安良工商會在華府舉行年會時,獲選連任的兩名總理,陳達偉、鄧錦源和元老團主席伍健生等人決定,波士頓安良工商會今年不辦選舉,但指派4名幫辦,4名職員,繼續整頓。
              七人小組成員中的陳仕維,黃立輝擔任會長。4名幫辦為黃國健,李天生,翁英宏,司徒炳思。4名職員為財政鄧北海,外交阮鴻燦,陳文浩,中文秘書伍輝民。
              在兩名會長之外的其他五名七人小組成員為司徒炳思,翁英宏,鄧北海,周榮佳,阮鴻燦。
              波士頓安良工商會在過去這一年間,不但整頓會務,還翻修樓宇。在七人小組接管後,大動土木,修好了漏水的天花板,翻新了樓頂的涼亭,目前還在繼續翻修外牆及窗戶,預計一個多月後可全部竣工,全部工程耗資近百萬元。
紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(右二)監交,陳仕維(右
一),黃立輝(左二)皆印。左一為司儀梅炳鈿。
              一名熟悉安良工商會財務的會員透露,翻修後,波士頓安良工商會大樓更堅實,租金提高,收入多了,償還翻修款只是時間問題而已。該名會員也透露,波士頓安良工商會原本應有400500名會員,但不少會員年事已高,不太出來參加活動,過去這一年間新加入的,約有幾時至100人。
              今日共約40多人出席波士頓安良工商會就職典禮,其中包括波士頓洪門致公堂代表。

              駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪應邀出席致詞,恭喜兩名會長就任,感謝該會長期支持中華民國,祝賀會務興隆。波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉出差在外,未克到場。



波士頓第一夜今年遷往波士頓公共圖書館舉行

      (Boston Orange)還有5天,2017年就要來了。大波士頓迎接新年的第一夜(First Night)”活動,今年主辦單位換人,主場地換成波士頓公共圖書館,所有活動都免費。
      大波士頓中華文化協會(GBCCA)和褚玲舞蹈團仍大力支持波士頓第一夜,將陸續從中午1245分起,在波士頓公共圖書館強森(Johnson)大樓瑞伯(Rabb)演講廳,以及下午115分起在波士頓公共圖書館的麥金(McKim)大樓,聯邦沙龍(Commomwealth Salon)演出。
      大波士頓中華文化協會今年在波士頓第一夜慶祝活動中安排有多項表演,包括1984年創辦的國樂團,半專業的知音舞韻舞蹈團,腰鼓舞,扯鈴團,都各有表演時段。
      大波士頓中華文化協會每年都大規模組隊參加的大遊行,今年也將派金雞燈籠出場。不過主辦單位在宣傳時,強調的是遊行隊伍中將有中國龍。    
由於經費有限,今年的波士頓第一夜內容有點縮水,水前區的午夜煙火取消了。在柯普利廣場的音樂,波士頓公共圖書館外牆上的燈光和人工煙火,將帶著大家倒數跨年。
           今年的波士頓第一夜Conventures公司承辦。該公司董事長Dusty Rhodes表示,我們會把圖書館的外牆用燈光打亮,然後用顏色及光來倒數計時,那真的很酷
           跨越兩天的這節慶活動,將從週六開始,有音樂,舞蹈,冰雕,以及一直走到波士頓廣場,欣賞穆加基金會所製作煙火的大遊行。這個晚上還有柯普利廣場的午夜倒數。所有活動都免費,查詢詳細資訊,或周日的活動時程,可上網wwwfirstnightboston.org
          
           尼登鎮(Needham)今年將有波士頓市近郊最大的新年除夕夜慶祝。一整天的活動包括踢踏舞,歌劇等等。從週六的早上10點半開始,一直進行至午夜的倒數計時派對。查詢詳情可上網 www.newyearsneedham.org

           塞冷市(Salem)和國家公園服務局合作,將以第一日遠足(First Day Hike)”,揭開新年序幕。參加者可在早上10點到北華盛頓廣場的塞冷廣場遊樂園集合,在出發到德比碼頭燈塔前,先沿著廣場跑一圈。這1871年首次點亮的燈塔,將開放給參加遠足者。查詢資訊可洽978-745-9595

星期六, 12月 24, 2016

Merry Christmas from President Obama and the First Lady


Merry Christmas from President Obama and the First Lady
President Obama and the First Lady just gave their annual holiday message from the White House for the last time. Check it out:
Merry Christmas from the Obamas
They talked about the values that bring Americans together over the holiday season:
The First Lady: The idea that we are our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated. And that we care for the sick, feed the hungry, and welcome the stranger, no matter where they come from, or how they practice their faith.
The President: Those are values that help guide not just my family’s Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds. And no one better embodies that spirit of service than the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and their families.
And they called on us to support the Americans who serve us all year round: our men and women in uniform.
The First Lady: As always, many of our troops are far from home this time of year, and their families are serving and sacrificing right along with them. Their courage and dedication allow the rest of us to enjoy this season. That’s why we’ve tried to serve them as well as they’ve served this country. Go to JoiningForces.Gov to see how you can honor and support the service members, veterans and military families in your community -- not just during the holidays, but all year round.
So make sure to watch -- and stay tuned for a throwback clip.
Merry Christmas from the Obamas 2009
"So as we look forward to the New Year, let’s resolve to recommit ourselves to the values we share. And on behalf of the all the Obamas -- Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo, and that troublemaker Sunny -- Merry Christmas, everybody."