Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Impact of Investments in ‘Last Mile’ Broadband Connectivity

Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Impact of Investments in ‘Last Mile’ Broadband Connectivity

In Small Business Month, Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito Visit West Stockbridge Small Businesses Benefitting from Broadband Upgrades

WEST STOCKBRIDGE – As part of Small Business Month, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today joined Berkshire County leaders to tour downtown small businesses that are benefitting from upgrades made by Charter Communications and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s (MBI) Last Mile Infrastructure Grant Program. West Stockbridge, Hinsdale, and Lanesbrough did not have access to any broadband services until receiving a 2016 grant through the Last Mile program. The program and investments in broadband infrastructure for towns unserved by high-speed internet are improving channels for businesses to connect with customers and providing digital and educational tools to residents and students.

“Delivering high speed internet to our unserved towns is critical to the development of our local economies and is an important tool for all residents and communities, and we are pleased to tour West Stockbridge today to witness the Last Mile program's progress," said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Berkshires draw visitors from around the world, and these network upgrades will allow small businesses to better attract and engage with new customers to grow and succeed in the 21^st century economy.”

“As part of Small Business Month, we are focused on making improvements that help employers succeed, and broadband is an important part of their ability to thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, who also co-chairs the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council. “We will continue our efforts to get broadband into more businesses, schools and homes, allowing residents to gain access to the skills and tools they need in the digital economy to compete.”

The Commonwealth’s $1.6 million Last Mile grant to Charter in August 2016 supported the upgrade of the company’s TV-only cable network to an all-digital network, to deliver digital television and broadband to existing households and businesses in West Stockbridge, Hinsdale and Lanesbrough. The grant also funded Charter’s ongoing expansion of this network to 100% of the residences in each town, an estimated 440 additional households which were previously unserved by broadband or cable television.

"Charter Communications is pleased to be working with Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and town officials to extend our state-of-the-art, fiber-rich network throughout the towns of West Stockbridge, Hinsdale and Lanesborough," said Catherine Bohigian, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs, Charter Communications. "Charter's expansion is well under way and will provide high-speed internet access to thousands of homes and businesses when finished - including 750 in West Stockbridge alone - helping address our shared goal of bringing high-speed broadband to unserved areas of the Commonwealth."

The Governor and Lt. Governor were joined on the tour by Sen. Adam G. Hinds and State Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox), Deputy Secretary Carolyn Kirk from the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, executives from Charter, and leaders of MBI.

“Few issues are as critical for the region than universal broadband -- western Mass. depends on progress,”said State Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield).  “I appreciate the efforts and leadership of the Baker-Polito Administration that have brought us advances in many small towns, and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure Last Mile solutions are deployed across all 52 communities in my district.”

”Broadband connectivity allows businesses to reach customers, entrepreneurs to understand their market and competition, and workers access to skills and training they need for successful careers,” said Deputy Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Carolyn Kirk. “During small business month it is important to remember that this technology keeps small firms competitive, but it is also important for families who have invested in houses in unserved communities, and for children who want to do online research for school.”

“This was a great opportunity for the Governor and Lt. Governor to hear from satisfied small business owners that are benefitting from the connections they have received over the past year,” said Peter Larkin, Chair of the Board of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. “This would not be possible without the partnership of Charter and their commitment to completing this project. Our agreement will get residents in West Stockbridge and the two other towns connected faster than we thought possible, and at a savings to both the towns and the Commonwealth.”

The tour was led by Joe Roy Jr., a member of the West Stockbridge Business Association and the owner ofThe Floor Store, a family-run floor covering and installation business that was the first stop of the tour. The store handles more than 90% of its transactions over the internet.

“Each of the 36 client contracts we currently have open was negotiated online,” said Joe Roy Jr. “The new high-speed connection allows us to process those contracts more quickly and to send large files more dependably. It has also made it possible for folks to get television and telephone service over the internet and allowed second home owners to work remotely more reliably, allowing them to stay longer in West Stockbridge.”

The tour made five additional stops at small businesses in West Stockbridge, including:

·       The Shaker Mill Inn, a small Berkshires bed & breakfast that handles bookings and markets the property to potential visitors online;

·       The Shaker Mill Tavern Family Smoke House, where a new internet-dependent point-of-sale system has improved the efficiency of the restaurant;

·       No. Six Depot, a local coffee roaster and cafe where employees spoke about the importance of selling the Depot’s products online and offering WiFi to customers; and

·       Stone House Properties LLC, a real estate agency which noted the importance of broadband connections to potential homebuyers looking to relocate to the Berkshires.

In May 2016, the Baker-Polito Administration introduced a new Last Mile leadership team and a new framework to accelerate implementation of broadband projects in unserved or underserved communities through a more flexible, community-based approach. Over the past year, the MBI and Baker-Polito Administration have helped 41 towns move projects forward, through partnerships with private providers, Last Mile grants to towns or considerations of options to bring broadband access to their community.

Earlier this month, the Administration announced $4.6 million in grants to support municipal broadband projects across Western Massachusetts. Over the past year, the MBI announced a grant to expand coverage to nine partially served towns; supported town-run projects in Alford, Otis, Warwick, and Mount Washington; and is assisting numerous towns in the evaluation of public-private partnership proposals resulting from an RFP issued late last year.

Governor Baker Holds Roundtable Discussion on Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership

Governor Baker Holds Roundtable Discussion on Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership

First event of a statewide education series to highlight key programs and initiatives aimed at delivering a quality education to all students

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Charlie Baker joined Education Secretary James Peyser, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Senator Eric Lesser to visit Forest Park Middle School and meet with teachers and administrators to hear about the schools’ successful turnaround efforts as part of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. The partnership is finishing its second academic year and uses an innovative approach voluntarily adopted by the school district in an effort to improve underperforming schools.

This visit marks the first in a series of events to highlight the administration’s education programs, initiatives and funding opportunities from early education to college level, all aimed at providing a quality and affordable education for every student in the Commonwealth.

“Our administration is committed to providing every child with access to a world-class education system in Massachusetts and we are proud to have proposed increasing spending on local aid to our schools by more than $300 million,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Implementing the empowerment zone approach is an effective tool for certain districts to give teachers and administrators the ability to make the best decisions and create the best learning environment for their students, and we look forward to partnering with the Legislature to replicate this approach for other schools in need.”

Governor Baker was joined by Secretary James Peyser, Senator Eric Lesser, Superintendent Daniel Warwick, Mayor Dominic Sarno, principals, and teachers for a roundtable discussion on the advancements made during the past two years as an empowerment zone.

The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership allows school leaders to make decisions around scheduling, curriculum, budgeting, and hiring that best fit their individual schools, rather than allowing all decisions to be made at the district level.

“The success of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership is based on local school leaders’ autonomy and accountability, along with input and guidance from local stakeholders,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “We are committed to supporting each community’s efforts to provide the best opportunities for students to create academic success in every zipcode.” 

In 2014, Springfield Public Schools partnered with Empower Schools, a nonprofit organization that works with communities to improve schools and boost academic results for students. Nine middle schools and two high schools are in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, which is overseen by an independent joint city-state board.

During his State of the Commonwealth address in January, Governor Baker highlighted the empowerment zone approach in Springfield as a promising way to improve struggling schools, and said he supports legislation filed by Senator Eric Lesser (D- East Longmeadow) and Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) that would give school districts more flexibility to turn around underperforming schools by creating “Innovation Zones,” similar to what Springfield schools did.

“As Massachusetts looks for ways to improve struggling schools and close the achievement gap, the empowerment zone model holds promise as a strategy for giving educators the flexibility and support they need, within a stable framework for public accountability for results,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

“I’m grateful to have Governor Baker in Springfield to see first-hand the great work our teachers, administrators, students and parents are doing to improve our students’ education at Forest Park Middle School and our other schools,” Senator Eric Lesser said.

“We are honored to have the Governor and Secretary Peyser visit Springfield and one of our empowerment schools. I think the work being done at the empowerment schools could be model across the state and country,” Springfield School Superintendent Daniel Warwick said. “This is a model that gives schools a different opportunity to make the radical changes necessary to turnaround schools.”

The schools in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership are governed by a seven-member board that includes Mayor Dominic Sarno, School Superintendent Daniel Warwick and School Committee Vice Chair Chris Collins, as well John Davis, James Morton, Beverly Holmes and Chris Gabrieli, who chairs the empowerment zone board.

After the first year, the majority of schools in the Zone showed improvements in three of the state’s primary performance measures, including percentage of students meeting standards, composite performance index (CPI) and student growth percentile (SGP).

“I am very happy Governor Baker visited the Empowerment Zone today. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership has turned out to be a wonderful option to address the needs of struggling schools,” said Chris Collins, who is a school committee member and on the board of the Empowerment Zone. “All indicators show these schools are all improving, some at a faster pace than others, but all making the kinds of improvements we are looking for. I think we are all excited about the potential for this type of approach for schools throughout the state, and the country.”  

The Baker-Polito Administration has proposed increasing spending on all K-12 schools by more than $318 million dollars since taking office in 2015. Earlier this year, after years of nominal increases for providers, Governor Baker proposed a 6% rate increase for early education providers, worth more than $28 million dollars, and includes plans to increase annual support for infant and toddler providers by more than $9 million. Massachusetts was recently ranked #1 in the country for education by U.S. News and World Report, and also tops the list for best performing states on Advanced Placement Exams.

Boston Joins WHO Ambassador Michael R. Bloomberg in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Moves to Strengthen Safe Routes to School

Boston Joins WHO Ambassador Michael R. Bloomberg in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Moves to Strengthen Safe Routes to School

BPHC commits to international effort to reduce noncommunicable diseases and injuries through the Safe Routes to School program

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 16, 2017 - The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) announced today that Boston has joined a worldwide effort to build healthier cities by pursuing an evidence-based approach to reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries by 2018.  As a participant in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Boston will be strengthening its commitment to take proven steps to reduce risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and injuries, by focusing on the Safe Routes to School program that encourages students to walk, bike or take public transportation to school.  "Working to allow Boston's children to live happy, active and healthy lives is a top priority," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We want to give more students the opportunity to safely walk to school and reap important health benefits. I'm pleased to join Mayor Bloomberg in this global effort to create these safe environments for our kids, and view this as another opportunity for Boston to lead by example."  NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and obesity. NCDs and injuries from road traffic crashes are leading causes of death globally, accounting for up to 44 million annual deaths. City health departments are uniquely positioned to transform the fight against diseases and injuries by implementing policies to significantly reduce exposure to risk factors.  "We are excited to work with Bloomberg Philanthropies to increase students' active transportation through our Safe Routes to School program," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. "This program can address both goals of the Partnerships for Healthy Cities by helping students be more physically active, and also improving pedestrian safety in students' daily commutes. We look forward to collaborating with other city health departments to improve the lives of our residents." In his role as World Health Organization (WHO) Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is engaging city leaders to beat NCDs and injuries with smart, proven policies that will advance health and strengthen economies.  "Injuries and noncommunicable diseases are responsible for eight in 10 deaths globally, but small changes at community levels can save many of those lives," Bloomberg said. "The Partnership for Healthy Cities brings immediate support to cities whose mayors are committed to healthier lives for their citizens and to leading the charge globally to reduce NCDs and injuries. The actions of these mayors can prevent millions of needless deaths and protect the health of generations to come."  Over the next 18 months, Boston will work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and its implementation partners to enhance and build on the Safe Routes to School program. Safe Routes to School is a partnership among the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Public Schools, Boston Transportation Department, and other city agencies to increase the number of students in grades K-8, who regurlaly walk, bike or take public transportation to school.

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBITIONS IN THE CITY HALL GALLERIES

MAYOR'S OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBITIONS IN THE CITY HALL GALLERIES

Now You See: A Celebration of Courageous Kids, on display in the Mayor's Neighborhood Gallery on the second floor of City Hall

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 16, 2017 - As part of the Guest Curator Initiative at City Hall, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture will host two photography exhibitions during the month of May and into June curated by professionals from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Institute for Contemporary Art. The Guest Curator Initiative at City Hall brings professionals from leading cultural organizations to produce and organize exhibitions at City Hall, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.  The goal of the program is to connect talented curators with new creative voices in Boston. "Boston has an incredible depth of talent, both at the major institutions and in every neighborhood across the city," said Mayor Walsh. "The guest curator program allows us to bring these groups together, showcasing the work of artists in the city, brought together by leading professionals and shared with the entire community through the City Hall Galleries."   Curated by Karen Haas, Lane Curator of Photographs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, STARE will be displayed in the Scollay Square Gallery in City Hall from May 18 - June 27, 2017. This exhibition focuses on the work of emerging photographers from the Greater Boston area. All photos are inspired by Walker Evan's quote "Stare. It is the way to educate your eye and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop" and will explore the many ways the camera viewfinder allows for staring.   Curated by Monica Garza, Director of Education and Sean Snyder, Graphic Designer and Multimedia Producer at ICA Boston, I Am. You Are. We Can. refers to a semester-long Teen Digital Photography project where students explored the life of photographs at the ICA. Through discussions, gallery visits and their own photography practices, students investigated the contexts which give photographs meaning, defined a sense of self, explored perceptions of others, and inspired collaborative action toward common goals through the photographic image.  I Am. You Are. We Can will be displayed in the 5th Floor Mayor's Gallery from May 18 - June 27, 2017.    "This collaboration with guest curators at the City Hall Galleries allows us to offer local artists exposure to some of the most talented arts professionals in the city and offer a platform to share their work with the community," said Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. "This month, we have the opportunity to showcase both established and emerging artists who have created some inspiring work.  We want to invite everyone to City Hall to experience these galleries and appreciate the work of these artists." In addition to the exhibitions created by the guest curators, the City Hall Galleries will feature Now You See: A Celebration of Courageous Kids created by photographer Jacquelyn Lamont.  Lamont, also a trained forensic interviewer, reveals the bravery of abused, neglected, and exploited children who disclose their trauma to law enforcement. The photos were taken in waiting rooms, offices, conference rooms, and homes. The exhibit was designed by graphic designer Mattie DiCola. Now You See: A Celebration of Courageous Kids will be displayed in the Mayor's Neighborhood Gallery on the second floor from May 1 - May 31, 2017.    For more information about the upcoming exhibition in the City Hall Galleries, visit here. Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture's mission is to support artists, the cultural sector, and to promote access to the arts for all. The office houses the Boston Cultural Council, the Boston Art Commission, and the Poet Laureate program. Responsibilities include leading up the City's Cultural Plan, Boston Creates; managing the Boston Artist-in-Residence program (BostonAIR); curating exhibitions in City Hall; and operating the historic Strand Theater in Dorchester.  For more information go to: www.boston.gov/arts About the Boston Creates Cultural Plan The cultural plan is a ten year plan for supporting arts and culture in the City of Boston. It was created out of a year-long community engagement effort designed to help local government identify cultural needs, opportunities, and resources and to prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen Boston's cultural vitality over the long term. The full cultural plan can be found online at  http://plan.bostoncreates.org.

天涵畫苑 5/20, 21辦"段俊雕塑篆刻書法藝術展"

【  雕塑篆刻及書法藝術家段俊從事藝術創作幾十年，有豐富的藝術經歷和經驗。這次展覽活動他將一生實踐中得出的幾件藝術精品拿出來展示給大家，的確是個很難得的欣賞機會。展覽時間只有兩天，地點在昆西市的沃拉騰比勒街25號【天涵畫苑】舉行。此次活動由北美藝術家協會和蘭亭雅聚書法會聯合舉辦。歡迎熱愛藝術品的朋友們前來觀賞！

展覽時間兩天：5月20日上午11:30時開幕
                        展至5月21日下午4:00時閉幕
展覽地點：25 Beale St, Wollaston Quincy MA
                  02170 [Tianhan gallery]
                  【天涵畫苑】
⋯⋯⋯
藝術作品展陶冶性情增長知識，在愉悅視覺促進身心歡喜的同時，也是一個相互交流認識的活動平台

華心中文學校慶母親節下周日辦開放日

(Boston Orange) 華心中文學校5月14日舉辦中文學習成果發表會，家長、學生”擠擠”一堂，在屋外大雨傾盆，屋內處處溫馨中慶祝母親節。

            華心中文學校各年級學生們分別選用唱歌，朗誦，短劇等不同形式，來展現自己學習中文的成果。

幼兒園及一年級的小朋友最可愛，唱做俱佳，中，高班同学，有的朗诵，有的表演三句半，還有人演出一齣小鸭子找妈妈的短劇。由於正好是母親節，許多班級都特地增加與母親，母愛相關題材。王琳老師的學生在唸古詩之外，還演唱了完整版的”恭喜，恭喜”，更把一年四季全唱到了。在華心上課11年的梁立方，演唱了一首中國現代歌曲。成人班也不落人後，演了一齣如何打電話策畫生日派對的短劇，還現場供應蛋糕，以及小杯蛋糕，讓出席者甜在嘴哩，笑漾臉龐。

這場慶祝母親節的中文學習成果發表會的最高潮，是學生們向老師及媽媽們每人獻上一隻長莖康乃馨，大家一起享用小杯冰淇淋，點心的開心交流。

華心中文學校將於下週日(5月21日)舉辦開放日活動，邀請各界人士到學校參觀語文及課外活動的上課實況，和老師，校務人員以及其他家長溝通。

中國科協海外人才創新創業大賽美東優勝者將赴長春

中科協海外人才創新創業大賽美東分區決賽嘉賓，參賽者等合影。(主辦單位提供)

丘成桐教授(前中)在會前與部分評審，嘉賓做小規模晤談。
(主辦單位提供)

健康文化產業組得獎人和評審合影。(主辦單位提供)

                (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導) 中國科協主辦的海外人才創新創業大賽，今年和吉林省政府合辦，美東賽區5月13日在麻省理工學院Stata Center舉行，分健康文化，信息裝備兩組的38隊，經過一整天答辯，依序由做試管嬰兒的頂峰科技，做創新微型積體電路的Schottky LSI贏得第一名。

院士暨哈佛名教授丘成桐13日一早為比賽開幕致詞。他期望在自己有生之年，就可以看到中國的科學，工業發展，比美國還好。他闡述自己來自香港，和中國淵源深厚，迄今平均一年到中國訪問5次，為提升中國高教略盡薄力，但覺得學術界有偏理或重工現象，希望能推動中國高校不但同時重視理工，也不忘人文學科具有作為帶動理工想像源頭的力量。他還以兒子在史丹福大學就讀時，受校方鼓勵，領得17萬5000美元創業，小有成績的經歷指出，美國東西岸學風大不同，但在大學期間就讓學生認識企業在現實社會中營運過程的做法，值得鼓勵。

信息裝備組得獎人和評審合影。(主辦單位提供)

             據悉，丘成桐教授還希望中國高校攜手到美國辦一所大學，以充分利用美國的科技發展，教育資源，更快速提升中國在世界上的競爭力。

丘成桐教授做開幕講話。(主辦單位提供)

                這場比賽，中國科協原本預定美東區兩組各4個優勝隊伍，直接進入6月在吉林長春舉行的總決賽。分區賽是要選出兩組各一個一等獎，二個二等獎，三個三等獎。中科協海歸創業聯盟秘書長田千里認為美東參賽項目質量確實高，將加碼多送4隊進入長春總決賽。

右起，唐繼東，丘成桐，田千里，孫友順(左一)等人出席開幕式。(周菊子攝)

               中科協今年的海外人才創新創業大賽，美東地區共收到83個項目，包括麻省理工學院施洛克教授的諾獎項目”金屬催化劑”，以及哈佛大學丘成桐院士團隊基於微分幾何的AR/VR系統，其中有7個項目由非亞裔團隊遞交。在美東以外，有大約10個團隊從加拿大，洛杉磯，舊金山，芝加哥，達拉斯，鳳凰城等地送件參賽。

右起，孫友順，田千里，丘成桐教授。(周菊子攝)

             38個獲選項目，分成健康與文化，信息與裝備製造兩組，在比賽現場或透過網路做答辯，回應由麻省理工學院和哈佛大學的專家，學者們和專程由長春趕來的國家千人計劃專家張立華博士等所組成評委團的提問。長春新區書記唐繼東等，有多名嘉賓全程出席，十分重視這一比賽。

             惠州仲恺巾幗創新創業協會特地在這一比賽中增設的巾幗獎第一名，頒給了來自紐約，”以社交媒體推廣在時尚行業的應用”這項目參賽的陳詩佳。她還在健康文化組贏得二等獎，成為這次大賽唯一同時獲得兩個獎項的最大贏家。

Schottky LSI科技長張葳春的項目，獲得信息裝備組第一名。他的

姪女裘崇婭(右)後來代表領獎。(周菊子攝)

               主辦單位公布的得獎項目及代表人為，信息裝備組，一等獎，做出微瓦特電子醫療芯片的張葳春，二等獎，基於微分幾何AR/VR系統的顧險峰，高空玻璃幕牆清潔機器人的馬程祥，三等獎，機器人輪椅的王軍，通用智能儀表操作系統和通用智能儀表技術的Desheng Wang，功能性納米材料在空氣環保方面的應用的侯平。

孫友順，田千里合作愉快。(周菊子攝)

                 健康文化產業組，一等獎，頂峰基因測序公司的胡小明，二等獎，皮膚再生水凝膠的孫國明，社交媒體推廣在時尚行業的應用的陳詩佳，三等獎，抗乙肝病毒親環素抑制劑新藥研發的蘇壯，BPFlex無袖連續血壓監測系統的張寧，3D打印精準膝關節及導板的張靖，藥物的連續流動生產技術的梁國華。這一組因為同分，三等獎有四名。                     這場比賽由中科協(武漢)離岸創新創業中心和麻省理工學院新型智慧城市論壇，寰球人才中心共同承辦，劍橋中國文化中心，麻省理工學院，哈佛大學中國同學會，麻省理工華人科技協會，中美醫學會，128華人高科技企業家協會等廿幾家大波士頓華人協會協辦。                           美國工程院士暨麻省理工學院機械系主任陳剛人在外地，當天特地發信祝賀大賽開幕。
                    美東大賽由MIT UV 新型智慧城市論壇共同主席潘玉林，李蘭共同主持。劍橋中國文化中心副董事長陶凱在頒獎後的晚宴中代表僑界致詞，指出包括波士頓的美東地區，在促進中美文化科技交流上有重要貢獻。(5/18更新版)

陳詩佳(右)是本次大賽唯一獲得雙獎
的參賽者。(周菊子攝)

頂峰科技胡小明(右)獲健康文化組
一等獎。(周菊子攝)

丘成桐教授希望中國科技發展早日超過美國。(周菊子攝)

賴銘琪投書呼籲支持臺灣參加今年世衛大會

賴銘琪投書呼籲支持臺灣參加今年世衛大會

中華民國106年5月15日

羅德島州第一大報「普羅維敦斯紀事報」（Providence Journal）5月14日刊出駐波士頓臺北經文處處長賴銘琪的投書，強調臺灣應獲邀參與「世界衛生組織」及今年的「世界衛生大會」；若因政治因素遭排除在外，全球都有風險；吾人應一齊守護全球公共衛生及人類福祉。

賴處長表示，「世界衛生組織」迄未邀請臺灣參加將於今年5月22日至31日在瑞士日內瓦召開的第70屆「世界衛生大會」，此為2009年以來臺灣首度遭排除在外。由於疾病無國界，此舉對國際社會之公共衛生及福祉都有潛在風險。

賴處長也稱，中華民國（臺灣）政府對於未獲邀請深表遺憾，並認為「世界衛生組織」不應屈從於政治壓力之下。拒絕臺灣參加不僅忽視了臺灣民眾的衛生權利，也將致世界衛生體系產生罅隙。

投書表示，臺灣自1996年以來已在全球逾80國挹注60億美元之醫療及人道援助，我們在國際衛生體系內之權利與責任不應受政治因素影響而阻滯。臺灣不能參與「世界衛生大會」將致國際衛生體系出現重大的漏洞，造成負面效果。

賴處長同時表示，中華民國政府及臺灣人民非常感謝美國、加拿大、日本等多國友人對臺灣與會之傾力支持，尤其美國各界均深為關切及支持臺灣有意義參與「世界衛生組織」與「世界衛生大會」。

「普」報係新英格蘭地區重要報紙之一，發行量逾20萬份，是羅德島州最大報，該報曾於5月8日刊登「美聯社」（Associated Press）題為「臺灣推動參與世界衛生大會」（Taiwan pushes for inclusion in global health summit）之報導，對此新聞相當關注。

賴處長投書於週日在該報紙本社論版（A14頁）及網站同時刊出（剪報如附件）。(經文處提供)

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING FOR AUDUBON CIRCLE $7 MILLION RECONSTRUCTION

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING FOR AUDUBON CIRCLE  $7 MILLION RECONSTRUCTION

Project will increase safety, improve travel conditions, provide improved green space for all users of Audubon Circle

Artist rendering of updated Audubon Circle

BOSTON - Monday, May 15, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh this weekend announced that the City of Boston and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) are investing a total of $7 million to reconstruct Audubon Circle in the Fenway/Kenmore neighborhood of Boston. The new design, developed in cooperation with the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association and others in the community, will increase safety and improve travel conditions for all users. It will also reimagine the public space, including investing in planters inscribed with poetry chosen by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, and green infrastructure. Audubon Circle was originally designed in 1887 by Frederick Law Olmstead as a tree-lined gateway to the Fenway and the Emerald Necklace. "Our goal is to make Audubon Circle a welcoming place for residents and all others who visit this neighborhood," said Mayor Walsh. "This project fulfills another promise in our Go Boston 2030 plans: ensuring Audubon Circle has increased safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. Working with residents, the Boston Transportation Department has produced a design that better meets the current transportation needs of the community, while simultaneously honoring the history of Audubon Circle." "Increasing safety and making Audubon Circle more pedestrian and bike friendly are priorities for neighborhood residents, and these priorities are also in accordance with Vision Zero and Go Boston 2030 goals for enhanced transportation safety and access on Boston's streets," said Chris Osgood, City of Boston Chief of Streets. "With the community process and design work now complete, we are looking forward to beginning the active construction phase of this beneficial project." As part of the project, four plazas, each featuring planters and seating, will be built on the four corners of the intersection. Poetry will be engraved on each of the four planters, and each poem will reflect one of the four seasons. Additional improvements to Audubon Circle will include: Shorter crosswalks to safely guide pedestrians and more time to cross. Dedicated signalized left turn lanes on Park Drive northbound and Beacon street westbound. New bike lanes on Beacon Street. Plazas on the four corners with planters and seating. Green infrastructure including rain gardens, permeable pavements, 49 street trees planted in structural soil and 12 magnolias. Engraved poetry on the planter walls. New ADA compliant wheelchair ramps. New pavement markings. New street lighting. "The unique design features incorporated into this plan ensure that Audubon Circle will serve its transportation related purpose as well as contribute to the beauty of the neighborhood," said Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "The Boston Arts Commission, the Browne Fund and Robert Pinsky all helped us to achieve this goal. I would also like to thank MassDOT for contributing many of the project's design and construction funding needs." Other partners making a contribution to this project include the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Children's Hospital and Samuels Associates, developer of the Landmark Center. The project design was guided by HDR Inc. with Crosby, Schlessinger Smallridge of Boston, and Mario Susi & Son, Inc,. also of Boston, is the contractor.  Construction is expected to be completed by November 2018.

哈佛學子慶祝母親節辦辦音樂會(圖片)

美丽的母亲节来到之际，哈佛大学中国学生学者联合会将举行一年一度的母亲节音乐会。为庆祝这个国际性节日，今年音乐会的曲目富有国际性，其中包括博茨瓦纳民歌“母亲的土地”，俄罗斯民歌“母亲”，墨西哥民歌“献给母亲”，印度民歌“摇篮曲”，日本童谣“红蜻蜓”，泰戈尔的名诗“母亲”，德沃夏克的小提琴名曲“母亲教我的歌”。同时有中国诗词歌曲“游子吟”，电影插曲“妈妈留给我一首歌”，流行歌曲“大海啊故乡”，京剧清唱“儿行千里母担忧”，京胡独奏“迎春”，等等。表演者来自伯克利音乐学院，波士顿大学音乐学院，哈佛大学艺术教育系，黄河合唱乐团，波士顿京剧社等院校和团体，其中包括若干国际友人。中国著名的歌手和演员“天仙妹妹”尔玛依娜也将应邀演出。

音乐会的日期是5月14日星期日，晚上7点30 至9点。地点在哈佛大学Lehman-Hall二楼的Common-Room。Lehman-Hall就是正位于哈佛广场又坐落于哈佛园内的那一栋大楼，从地铁红线哈佛站横过马路即是，交通十分方便。

NECINA 與螞蟻金服談金融科技(圖片)

From Cognitive Computing Group