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星期四, 2月 01, 2018
波士頓華埠圖書館2/3剪綵
波士頓開始提供2018報稅援助
MAYOR WALSH AND BOSTON TAX HELP COALITION KICK OFF 2018 SEASON OF FREE TAX PREPARATION FOR RESIDENTS
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BOSTON - Thursday, February 1, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Boston Tax Help Coalition and other community partners at Dorchester's Codman Square Health Center to highlight the free tax preparation services available to low- and moderate-income Boston residents. The Coalition provides free tax preparation services at 35 partner locations throughout the City to help residents who earn $54,000 or less per year maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit and claim the full refunds they are due.
"The free tax services offered throughout the City of Boston will help our residents gain financial security, an important step towards providing more opportunities to succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank our dedicated volunteers who make these efforts possible, and encourage the thousands of residents who are eligible for these services to take advantage of them."
Last year, the Coalition served more than 13,000 taxpayers and returned $26.8 million dollars in refunds and credits directly to taxpayers. More than 400 volunteers contributed to the effort. 2018 marks the seventeenth year that the Boston Tax Help Coalition has provided free tax preparation for Boston residents.
"My parents, like most immigrants to the United States, just wanted to work hard to provide a better life for their children," said Suilisa, 21, a Dorchester resident who is now a volunteer interpreter for the Coalition. "The Boston Tax Help Coalition gave me and my family the help we needed. It is possible to get your taxes done for free. It is possible to save. It is absolutely okay to ask for help when you need it."
In addition to tax preparation services, the Coalition also offers Financial Check-Ups at 12 tax sites. A Financial Check-Up is a one-on-one session in which a taxpayer can review his or her credit score and obtain personalized credit-building strategies from a trained financial guide. This process is a key component of Boston Builds Credit, the City's new, free credit building program which helps residents improve their credit and move towards long-term financial resilience.
New this year, the Coalition will also introduce taxpayers to Bank On Boston, a recently launched initiative that connects residents with banking accounts and financial services that are safe, affordable, and non-predatory. Taxpayers will be able to open Bank On accounts at their tax sites with the help of such key financial partners as the City of Boston Credit Union, Santander Bank, Bank of America, and Citizens Bank.
"We are so proud of our long years of partnership with the Boston Tax Help Coalition and are delighted to host the launch of their newest season of free services," said Sandra Cotterell, CEO of Codman Square Health Center. "Our organization is committed to serving one of Boston's largest and most vulnerable communities with affordable, quality healthcare that cares for the whole person. As an essential part of that holistic approach, our free tax clinic each year returns millions of dollars into our community and serves to improve our patients' and neighbors' overall well-being."
Daniel Waltz, CEO of the City of Boston Credit Union, and John Drew, CEO of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), key Coalition partners, also spoke at today's celebration. They were joined by representatives from Codman Square Health Center, one of the Coalition's busiest and longest-serving tax sites, as well as taxpayers who benefit from the services there.
The Office of Financial Empowerment is an affiliate of the Boston Planning & Development Agency.
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波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪拜會羅州副州長促進雙邊交流
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| 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦拜會 羅德島州副州長Daniel J. McKee。 |
麥丹尼副州長對賴處長來訪表示熱誠歡迎，麥副州長對上（2017）年10月應邀率團訪臺參加國慶活動表達感謝，對我政府精心安排之行程讚不絕口，對我政經發展亦至為推崇，並肯定我與該州在政、經、文化等關係緊密，對全面提升我與羅州之合作抱持期待。另對吸引臺商到羅州投資、推廣雙方的高等教育交流表示高度興趣。賴處長表示羅州擁有極佳的投資環境及教育人才，從羅州首府欖城到麻州首府波士頓不僅交通便利，且擁有全美密度最高的大學院校及研究機構，樂於代為引介臺商來羅州投資及進行高等教育交流，雙方晤談30分鐘，互贈禮品後結束拜會。
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| 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦和 羅州檢察長Peter Kilmartin(右一)等人合影。 |
臺灣與美國經貿往來密切，2016年雙邊經貿往來達650億美元，臺灣為美國第十大貿易夥伴，對美國農產品之人均消費力為全球第二大；就雙邊投資而言，美國是臺灣最大外資來源，而臺灣在美國的投資與貿易亦為美國創造超過32萬個工作機會，緊密合作可見一斑。臺灣與羅州實質關係密切，羅德島州重要產業包含珠寶製造業（有「世界珠寶之都」美名）、旅遊及醫療服務業。2016年對臺灣出口金額為1億1百11萬美元，較2015年成長155.82%，主要輸臺產品包括初級金屬產品、金屬焊接產品、化學製品、機械產品、石化產品、電機產品及塑橡膠製品等。2016年羅州自臺灣進口約4,000萬美元，臺灣為羅州第5大（亞洲第2大）出口市場，第20大進口來源。
賴處長此行另出席本（2018）年第19屆龍舟賽暨臺灣日第1次籌備會議，及拜會羅州檢察長Peter
Kilmartin、眾議會代議長Brian Kennedy、健康教育及福利委員會主席Joseph
McNamara、參議會商務委員會主席Roger Picard及聯邦眾議員David
Cicilline（D-RI）之選區主任Christopher
Bizzacco等人，代表我政府及人民感謝羅州議會多年來通過各項友我決議，及促進臺灣與羅州雙邊合作機會，此外並推薦商機及歡迎羅州各界前往臺灣觀光旅遊。(波士頓經文處提供)
MAYOR WALSH LEADS 38TH ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS
MAYOR WALSH LEADS 38TH ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS
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Yearly count of Boston's homeless helps focus City housing efforts
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BOSTON - Thursday, February 1, 2018 - As part of Boston's efforts to end chronic and veteran homelessness, on Wednesday night Mayor Martin J. Walsh led a group of 300 volunteers, including City of Boston cabinet and department heads, State officials, homeless service providers, and community, civic and faith leaders in the City of Boston's 38th annual Homeless Census. This yearly count of individuals living on the street is part of a larger census of homeless adults and families in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and domestic violence programs.
In 2017, Boston was identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the city with the lowest percentage of unsheltered people living on the street of any city conducting a census. In 2017, only three percent of Boston's homeless population was sleeping on the street. The annual homeless census is required by HUD as a key component of Boston's $26 million funding grant.
"The Annual Homeless Census helps us understand the needs of people in our neighborhoods and the scope of homelessness in our City," said Mayor Walsh. "But it's about much more than that. It's a Boston tradition. It's about the spirit of community. It's about the values we share, as a city that looks out for one another as neighbors. Every single person deserves security, dignity, and hope. Every single person deserves a place to call home."
Census volunteers canvassed 45 areas covering every city neighborhood, Logan Airport, and the transit and parks systems, identifying those sleeping on the street and conducting a short survey. The resulting surveys are closely analyzed to ensure accuracy, and are crosschecked and combined with the results of the simultaneous shelter count that occurs on the same night. In 2017, data was analyzed from 48 programs that serve homeless individuals and 24 programs that serve families.
Results of the homeless census form the basis for Boston's Way Home, the City's plan to end veteran and chronic homelessness. The plan, launched in 2015, has dramatically shifted the way Boston delivers services to people experiencing homelessness. The new plan puts housing first, while increasing resources devoted to housing people experiencing homelessness and deploying new technologies to match them with housing and services.
For the first time ever, this year's homelessness census engaged Boston's Way Home's Consumer Advisory Council and Youth Action Board. These two boards were convened to offer the City and its partners the critical perspective of those who have experienced homelessness as the City continues to implement its plans to end veteran and chronic homelessness.
The Consumer Advisory Council, known as BACHome, is made up of 13 people who have committed to sharing their insight with City officials; all members of the board have experienced sustained homelessness in the City of Boston. The Board meets every two weeks, with regular meetings attended by representatives from the City of Boston. Approximately one half of the council is currently unhoused, while one quarter is newly housed. Another quarter of the members are more deeply settled into permanent housing.
"I see membership on the Council of BACHome as an opportunity to make a change for the better and to do what we can," said Council member Mark St. John. "We can reduce homelessness in Boston, and make the systems that support homeless people more efficient and compassionate. I feel that I make a difference by being on BACHome -- it is an honor. Everything we discuss is positive and it helps us move in the right direction."
Members of the Council served as greeters at the homeless census and joined several of the teams that went on the census, while artwork created by Youth Action Board members was on display at City Hall where volunteers gathered.
The City's Youth Action Board was convened to offer the City the unique perspective of youth and young adults who have experienced homelessness, as the City embarks on its work to end youth and young adult homelessness. While a number of City and State agencies and community organizations work with youth and young adults who experience homelessness in Boston, these services, interventions and resources are often not designed for the unique developmental needs of youth and young adults. In October, the City announced that it will be gathering data on youth who experience homelessness in Boston, understanding the current system's capacity, identifying the unmet needs of youth and young adults, and designing a plan to address gaps in emergency assistance system.
In addition, since the launch of Boston's Way Home:
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十社團聲援周廷參選香港立法會的公民權
2018年2月1日
就周庭被褫奪立法會參選權國際聯合聲明
我們強烈譴責香港特區政府以言論及政治聯繫理由，不合理丶不合法丶和不合憲地褫奪了周庭在立法會補選的參選權。這決定違反了香港有份簽署的國際公民及政治權利公約(ICCPR)的精神。我們要求香港特區政府在基本法第26條和香港人權法案第21條的基礎上，立刻恢復周庭作為香港永久性居民，在不受無理限制下享有在選舉中被選的公民權利及機會。
香港政府不斷強調基本法作為香港一國兩制的憲法基礎，但是在周庭的選舉權的決定中，卻公然無視基本法賦予香港居民的基本選舉權利。這樣做只會削弱港人對法治和香港政府的信心。特首林鄭月娥曾決志要修補香港社會的撕裂。而剝奪周庭的選舉權及選民意願的自由表達，只會適得其反地進一步加深香港的撕裂。港人又如何能相信特首的誠意和對港人的承擔？
作為珍視人權丶民主丶法治和自由的國際公民，我們認為維護公民政治權利及公開公平選舉是任何開放自由社會的重要展示，也是當初國際社會肯定中英聯合聲明中一國兩制的重要內涵。我們堅決與香港人民站在一起，要求香港特區政府立刻恢復周庭的參選資格！
聯署團體：
Australia-Hong Kong Link 澳港聯 (Australia)
Canada-Hong Kong Link 港加聯 (Canada)
D4HK (UK)
Federation of Overseas Hong Kong Chinese, Washington DC 華盛顿海外香港華人聯會 (USA)
Friends of Hong Kong and Macau of Boston 波士頓港澳之友社 (USA)
Hong Kong Forum Los Angeles 洛杉磯香港論壇 (USA)
Movement for Democracy in China (Calgary) 卡城中國民主促進會 (Canada)
Northern California Hong Kong Club 北加州香港會 (USA)
NY4HK (USA)
Toronto Association for Democracy in China 多倫多支持中國民運會 (Canada)
Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society 溫哥華香港協進會 (Canada)
Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement 溫哥華支援民主運動聯合會 (Canada)
紐英崙中華公所2018新氣象 7名新董事
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| 紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(中立者)等五名職員主持會議。(周菊子攝) |
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所新年度小幅換血，共7名新董事。1月30日晚在本年度首次董事大會中選出4個小組委員，說明至少有兩大土地發展計畫進行中，通過邀請梅伍銀寬為物業小組顧問，總資產已逾2000萬元，盼社區僑團同心協力輔助中華公所真正發揮服務社區功能。
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| 中華公所新董事，左起司徒文信，伍樹俊，張韻蘭，張青梅， 梅麗梨，蔣宗壬。(周菊子攝) |
中華公所董事會共有5名職員，41名董事，一般情況為每一僑團可指派一名代表出席中華公所董事會，但早年依據各僑團人數多寡等不同考量，另訂了至孝篤親公所可派4名代表，黃氏公所派3名，波士頓安良工商會，紐英崙余風彩堂各派2名代表等安排。
今年的7名新董事，分別為華人經濟發展協會董事長蔣宗壬，梅氏公所主席梅麗梨，波士頓國民黨常委張韻蘭，伍胥山公所主席伍樹俊，溯源公所主席鄺炎彬，華埠退伍軍人會前會長司徒文信，紐英崙婦女新運會會長張青梅，其中一半以上是年僅三、四十歲的年輕人，後5人第一次參加中華公所董事會，讓人對中華公所年後出現新氣象，十分期待。
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| 遡源公所主席鄺炎彬也是中華公所今年的新董事。(周菊子攝) |
選舉/修章，物業，財政，核數等四個小組委員會，許多獲提名者婉拒，最後定案的四個小組成員分別為，選舉/修章小組召集人為中文書記雷國輝，組員為謝中之，陳仕維，單鳳琴，李天生，余景新，朱紹昌，黃國健，翁宇才。物業小組召集人為朱蘇珊，組員為許揚威，余麗媖，張韻蘭，阮鴻燦，陳文棟，李源沛，梅麗梨，蔣宗壬。財政小組召集人為陳文浩，組員為石家孝，張青梅，陳台榮，鄺炎彬。核數小組召集人為周樹昂。組員為陳滋源，陳灼鋆。
當晚的大會，還有哈佛大學非牟利組織菲利普布魯克斯屋(Philips Brooks
House)協會出席，說明該機構由哈佛大學學生為社區服務，免費教英語，今年將繼續在中華公所開課。
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| 中華公所小組委員會選舉結果。 |
中華公所主席陳家驊在主席報告中說明，中華公所已決定邀請榮氏(Winns)，畢肯(Beacon)，和亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)這三個機構，就大同村南停車場提出發展計畫，預定二月底，三月初，會收到文件。
喜露街50號的CMart地塊，中華公所已和合作機構一起，向波士頓計畫發展局提出指定地塊規畫(PDA)申請，由於三一教堂改建公寓的住戶要求，公眾置評時間延長30天。
波士頓華商會將和波士頓市政府交涉，把尼倫街上因規畫自行車道失去的停車位，爭取回來。
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| 中華公所開董事會。 |
董事謝中之在會上質詢黃光野訴訟案的律師費。根據中華公所當晚派發給董事們的財政報告摘要註記，在2017年內，中華公所為涉及黃光野案的律師費總額為56,804.76元。坊間知情人士透露，黃氏公所為此事也花了3萬多元，感嘆華埠內，尤其是中華公所訟案連連，這些資源若能用於支持華埠社區內非牟利團體營運，恐怕有意義得多了。
紐英崙中華公所今年將於2月17日晚在帝苑大酒樓舉行春宴，各僑團已訂65席。每年一度的迎春舞獅，將於2月25日舉行。
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| 菲利普布魯克斯屋項目主任Kerry J. McGowan(左一)帶著4名哈佛大學 學生到中華公所董事大會報告。(周菊子攝) |
星期三, 1月 31, 2018
屋斯特理工學院波士頓海港區合作空間剪綵啟用
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| WPI校長樂欣(Laurie Leshin，左四)，波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh ， (右四)，屋斯特市長派迪(Joe Petty，左三)，以及麻州經濟及住宅 發展卿艾許(Jay Ash，右一)，波士頓市經濟發展長巴洛斯(John Barros ，左一)等人一起剪綵。(周菊子攝) |
波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin
Walsh)，屋斯特市長喬派迪(Joe Petty)和麻州副州長白莉朵(Karyn
Polito)，屋斯特理工學院校長樂欣(Laurie Leshin)在麻州經濟及住宅發展卿艾許(Jay
Ash)，麻州稽核長邦普(Susan Bump)，波士頓市經濟發展長巴洛斯(John Barros)等近百名嘉賓賀客面前剪綵啟用這座落在國會街303號一樓，玻璃窗外有著美麗水景的嶄新空間。
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| 麻州副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito，右)為WPI Seaport剪綵致詞。 (周菊子攝) |
樂欣，喬派迪在致詞時都半開玩笑，說吸引亞馬遜把第二個總部設在麻州，改善經濟以及人們的生活品質，是他們的目標。馬丁華殊則認真表示，無論亞馬遜是選擇了波士頓，或是屋斯特市，只要是來嘛州，波士頓都願意合作。
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| 屋斯特市市長Joe Petty(右)笑說要分一塊亞馬遜第二總部這蛋糕。 (周菊子攝) |
樂欣表示，數位健康，機器人等等，都是社會科技未來發展方向，該校希望藉此空間，加深和鄰近地帶創新產業的合作，從1999年起，WPI已在波士頓設有項目中心，透過和波士頓市，波士頓海港協會，新英格蘭水族館等的合作，有400多學生在那而做過研究，完成了不下120個項目，相信”WPI海港”啟用後，該校和鄰近一帶的創新產業將會有更進一步合作。
麻州副州長白莉朵稱許WPI和波士頓市，屋斯特市在投資未來，培養人才上的這一合作，卻也強調，接著得想辦法把人才留在麻州。她指出，麻州州政府去年四月才撥款500萬元，資助WPI建醫學科技實驗室PracticePoint,，今年一月又撥款四百萬元，協助WPI和Quinsigamond社區學院合作，整建一所新的光子實驗室。
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| 左起Mina Shojaeizadeh，劉雯，趙冰，Chris Lhagnon，Ryan LaMarche， Prateek Jain, Kodey Converse等七名學生都是"使用者經驗及決策 實驗室的博碩士學生，在剪綵活動中示範項目。(周菊子攝) |
屋斯特市長派迪為WPI座落該市而驕傲，聲稱麻州在世界層級有份量，WPI也功不可沒。他在剪綵前向本媒體透漏，市內的亞裔居民越來越多，去年十月，他才贈送了一把市鑰給捐款一千萬元給麻州大學醫學院的萬利家集團董事長李偉波。
波士頓市長馬丁華殊強調屋斯特市，WPI和波士頓市都有長久淵源，良好關係。當年他競選波士頓市市長，顧問之一就是屋斯特市一名前市長。波士頓市正需要這樣的合作，來為突然淹水，停車位不足，空氣品質不佳等議題找出解決辦法。
屋斯特理工學院表示，佔地 6,400平方呎的”WPI海港”，設計時特意強調了合作，裡面有著開放空間，鼓勵學生，業界夥伴，企業領袖及該校的許多校友，科技顧問等等互相交流，啟發創業精神。
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| 左起，WPI助理教授Lane T. Harrison和學生馮覓，朱泊霖示範 大數據視覺化項目。(周菊子攝) |
這裡也有教室，會議室，5個科技套房，都有著堡壘點水道(Fort Point Channel)的美麗水景。WPI打算用這地方作為該校舉辦以企業為主要對象的活動，也用於校友聚會，職業發展講座等等。
屋斯特市是個人口有798,552的麻州第二大城市，市內有麻州大學醫學院，屋斯特理工學院等大專學府。根據美國人口統計局資料，該市內共有亞裔37,036人，其中華人有7,596人。
超級碗本週六開打 麻州，賓州兩州長下賭注
Governors Baker, Wolf Place Friendly Wagers on Super Bowl LII
New England Patriots to take on Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday
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| 麻州長查理貝克( Charlie Baker)。(圖由州政府提供) |
BOSTON — Ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, today Governors Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania announced a friendly wager on the game’s outcome.
Governor Baker wagered a variety of the Commonwealth’s finest local offerings should the Eagles pull off an upset, including:
· Clam Chowder from Legal Sea Foods in Boston
· Craisins from Ocean Spray in Middleborough
· Apple Cider Donuts from Smolak Farms in North Andover
· Apple Pie, Chicken Pot Pie and Maple Syrup from Hollis Hills Farms in Fitchburg
· Grillo’s Pickles from Needham
· Boston Crème Pie Cupcakes and Lemon Squares from Koffee Kup Bakery in Springfield
“As the New England Patriots prepare for their eighth Super Bowl of the last seventeen years, the full force of the Commonwealth and all of New England is behind them every step of the way because we know their jobs are not done yet,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to have another opportunity to offer up some of Massachusetts’ finest local products for a good cause and look forward to the Pats bringing home another Super Bowl win.”
Governor Wolf has wagered Federal Donuts, Soup from the Rooster Soup Company,Reading Terminal Market Scrapple, in honor of the market’s 125th anniversary, Coffee from La Colombe in Philadelphia, and donated pizza slices from Rosa’s Fresh Pizza, a pay-it-forward pizzeria that provides hundreds of meals per week to homeless Philadelphians. The Governors have agreed to donate the winnings to a local food pantry of their choice.
“Over the last year, the Eagles have battled adversity and inspired millions of fans, both on and off the field,” Governor Wolf said. “I am putting some of my Philly favorites and Philly’s finest and most iconic food items on the line but look forward to Governor Baker sending some Massachusetts food to Pennsylvania.”
Super Bowl kickoff is at scheduled for 6:30 PM ET on Sunday.
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