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星期日, 2月 24, 2019

波士頓台灣同鄉會從"悲情城市"談二二八

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓台灣同鄉會223日在哈佛大學波約斯頓廳Fong禮堂放映侯孝賢導演的悲情城市,請杜武亮教授憶述長輩受難經歷,近100人不同世代出席者討論228事件,重新思考這事件對台灣造成的影響,強調歷史必須要傳承。
                  活動主講者杜武亮指陳,228事件其實是當年國民政府為免政權旁落,趕盡殺絕台灣菁英的策略行動。與會者中有長輩認為,當年政府以各種形式逼使受害者噤聲,是為讓這不光彩事件,從歷史中消失。如今在台灣的許多年輕人根本不知道,或者不關心228事件,直言那是過去的事,和他有甚麼關係,就是噤聲的結果。
會長王志傑(右)介紹講者。(周菊子攝)
                在回答出席者提問時,杜武亮表示,他認為小時候政府官員全是外省人,但去年他回台灣,覺得政府有進步,很多政策都改了,但是台灣未來很危險,因為中國大陸逼得太厲害,許多報章,媒體都被收買了。
              會後有出席者表示,台灣的228事件和中國大陸的六四,在政府全面逼人民噤聲,年輕一輩渾然不知,也不關心這曾有的歷史事件,情景神似。
鍾佳君(左)和杜荷洲(右)都來參加活動。(周菊子攝)
             波士頓台灣同鄉會為誌記228事件,今年徵得侯孝賢同意,免費放映悲情城市這部由梁朝偉. 陳松勇. 李天祿等人主演,在當年尚未完全民主化的台灣,挑戰禁忌話題,成為首部榮獲三大世界級影展首獎的台灣電影。
             放映影片後,還邀來塔芙茨(Tufts)大學數學系教授杜武亮,簡述他祖父杜聰明,外祖父林旭屏這兩名228事件受害者的遭遇。
             杜武亮13歲就被家人送到美國進修,直到1995年才從台北南港二二八這本書,訪談他阿姨的口述歷史記錄,才得悉在228事件期間,他祖父,外祖父的遭遇。
             杜武亮表示,他的外公林旭屏當年是菸酒公賣局的主管,平日舉止極為愛國,但那年315日,有人到家找他,不料他一出門就被人押上車,從此再也沒有回來。317日早上,南港橋下有槍聲,人們傳說死了8人,他外婆徒步趕去查看,果然找到外公雙手雙腳被綁著的屍體。
波士頓紀念228事件活動,出席者眾。(周菊子攝)
               杜武亮說,他家的人至今還不明白,當年他外公表現得那麼愛國,為什麼還會被處決。倒是他祖父杜聰明,這位台灣歷史上的首名醫學博士,在228事件期間藏在友人家,躲過一劫,保住了命,但被當時的台大校長革職。次年台大換了校長,杜聰明才得以回台大任教。
            杜武亮透露,悲情城市當年是在戒嚴令廢除後約兩年時拍攝的,影片特色之一是使用語言種類之多,反映了當年台灣人口結構與社會的複雜。至於主角又聾又啞,則是為了拍片者想要用大明星,但男主角梁朝偉卻是廣東人,不會講普通話,台語,不得已的變通之道。
在活動的討論環節中,發言者踴躍。一名婦女坦言自己是228受難者家屬,小時候只知道父親被關過108天,不能出國,今天第一次看悲情城市,才知道當年他父親被關進牢中,曾經有什麼樣的遭遇。
台灣史上首位醫學博士杜聰明。
(周菊子攝自活動現場)
               有出席者問228事件和白色恐怖的區別在哪兒。
               一名35歲的年輕人表示,自己的祖父就在228事件中被同事誣告,受難,但卻直到1995年臨去世前,才在加護病房的病床上,透露了自己的當年遭遇。所以228事件成了他的家族故事。
              一名女士表示,她的初中老師是來到台灣的流亡學生,有一天竟突然失蹤了,而且和她老師一同從大陸來到台灣的同班流亡學生,也全都不見了。這些人都是外省人,可見白色恐怖是不分省籍的。
             李敦厚教授表示,當年站出來說話的人,其實都是想為台灣解決問題的人,完全沒有政治意識,可惜政府為了控制人們思想,完全不讓反對聲音出現。他自己就是白色恐怖受害者的家屬。他認為中國大陸總理習近平近年在控制言論方面的表現,和當年的台灣政府非常相似。
                 一名女士表示,她是1976年搬來波士頓的,在柯普利廣場的三一教堂前面,台灣同鄉經常聚會,表達她們和政府不同的意見。她曾親眼看見馬英九等人拍照。那些被拍進照片中的人,就上了黑名單,無法回台灣了。
                   會後有年輕出席者表示,他們在學校課本上曾看到過228事件,但只有幾十個字的描述而已,許多相關細節,還是來到美國後陸續知道得更多。他們認為台灣政府近年來已在改善,但還需要繼續努力。其中一人也指出,許多當年跟隨國民政府遷台,一心想著要回中國大陸的人,其實也是另一個悲情城市的經歷者。
被稱為二二八事件元凶的陳儀。
杜武亮的外公林旭屏在二二八事件中被槍斃。
台灣第一位醫學博士杜聰明之子,杜武亮來美
多年後才知自己也是二二八事件受害者家屬。(周菊子攝)
出席者分享親身經歷,稱早年由台來美留學者,
批評政府,就上黑名單。(周菊子攝)
二二八受難家屬第一次看"悲情城市",才知道
自己父親當年關在牢中情況。(周菊子攝)
李敦厚教授透露他是白色恐怖後代。(周菊子攝)
杜武亮是看這本書才知道自己父親當年經歷
二二八事件時的狀況。(周菊子攝)
波士頓台灣同鄉會會長王志傑(左起),經文處施維鈞組長,
杜聰明之子杜武亮教授,波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉。
(周菊子攝)

星期六, 2月 23, 2019

柯偉林談中國及世界大學教育(圖片)



MAYOR WALSH RELEASES 2019 ANNUAL CENSUS, INCLUDING STUDY ON CHILDCARE

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES 2019 ANNUAL CENSUS,
INCLUDING STUDY ON CHILDCARE
2019 Boston census aims to count all Boston residents; ensure City services reach all
BOSTON - Saturday, February 23, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston Election Department today launched the City of Boston's Annual Resident Census to record individuals age 17 and older who live in the City, with mailers going out to households across Boston. The City of Boston's census helps Boston distribute resources evenly, helps voters keep an active voter status, allows residents to have access to a fair jury, and maintain an accurate voter list.

"Boston's annual census is an important to tool to make sure we are reaching everyone across our city, and ensuring we continue to provide the resources our residents need," said Mayor Walsh. "I encourage all residents to participate -- and I encourage residents to consider taking part in our survey on childcare needs, language preference and disability status as we learn more about what our residents need, and how city programs can work for them."

Included in this year's census mailing is an optional survey related to childcare, language, and disability. This optional survey is a collaboration between the Mayor's Civic Engagement Cabinet and the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement, and aims to better understand how individuals and households across Boston neighborhoods relate to language and disability access and the best ways to support parents and young children. Responses to the survey will be anonymous and unconnected to any identifying information. This optional survey asks individuals about their primary language used at home, English proficiency, disability status, and possible barriers that parents/guardians face in accessing affordable quality childcare.

"Access to affordable quality childcare is tremendously important for Boston's working parents, especially women," said Tania Del Rio, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement. "Boston will be the first city in the country to document local childcare needs and preferences through the census. As a result, the City will identify and learn how we can best address the most critical challenges for families as part of a strategy that also intends to support early educators, without whom our economy would not function."

There are 4 ways for residents to respond if they live in the City of Boston:
  1. Complete and Return the form mailed to your residence from the Election Department
  2. Respond Online at Boston.gov/Annual-Census
  3. Call the Election Department 617-635-VOTE(8683)
  4. In Person (9am-4:30pm) at: Room 241 City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

New residents in the City are also able to  register to vote, with more information atBoston.gov/elections. Those who have moved within the City of Boston are encouraged to  update their voter registration in addition to responding to the Annual Resident Census.

For more information, contact the Boston Election Department online atBoston.gov/elections.

波士頓華埠鳳凰髮廊遭逼遷案 暫時和解

陳炎熾(左)感謝華人前進會及社區的支持。
(華人前進會提供)

             (Boston Orange整理報導)波士頓華埠泰勒街(Tyler)鳳凰髮廊遭逼遷案,由於聆訊前夕,髮廊經營者和業主達成協議,請法官寬容30天,以商量解決問題辦法,暫時告一段落。
              華人前進會主任陳玉珍表示,該會和華埠穩定運動(Chinatown Stabilization Campaign)成員感謝所有支持鳳凰髮廊經營者陳炎熾做法律辯護的人。他們也感謝波士頓市長馬丁華殊,住宅局局長席拉狄倫(Sheila Dillon),波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn),以及許多盟友組織的支持。
華人前進會發動民住舉牌示威,支持鳳凰髮廊。
(華人前進會提供)
              陳炎熾在泰勒街106號,這四層高排屋的地面一樓經營髮廊,以廉宜收費為工薪顧客服務。他那長達10年的租約,現正處於第7年。2017年時,住在衛斯頓(Weston)季海英(譯音,Haiying Ji)和朱新生(譯音,Xinsheng Zhu)以遠高於市場的價格,買下樓宇,成為新業主,並以短期出租方式經營。
鳳凰髮廊爭取留在原地繼續經營。(華人前進會提供)
              201812月,陳炎熾收到逼遷通知,要求他馬上搬走,並付清剩下三年租期的租金68,312元。儘管房東宣稱陳炎熾未能依照要求,拿出保險證明,但陳炎熾一直買有保險。起初因語言障礙,陳炎熾提供的證件不對,但是很快就拿出了正確文件,但房東還是把他告上法庭。現在房東同意,如果陳炎熾照需要繼續買保險,並提供保險證明,就撤訴。
              華人前進會呼籲各界持續關注這宗逼遷案的協議進展,也希望各界支持保護華埠排屋可負擔性,穩定社區等行動。

愛國者隊東主Kraft捲入人口走私賣淫案


(Boston Orange整理報導)大波士頓人,足球迷222日都大感震驚,新英格蘭愛國者隊東主羅伯卡夫特(Robert Kraft)竟然涉嫌嫖妓,捲入人口走私案,可能面對入獄一年,罰款,或做社區服務的懲罰。
事件源起於佛羅里達州警察為調查西棕梠灘一帶,馬丁郡及橘郡,涉及好幾個水療店的人口走私及賣淫案,監視邱比特(Jupiter)市的亞洲日蘭花水療店(Orchids of Asia Day Spa)已好幾個月,本週稍早才逮捕了兩名女子,40歲的王雷(譯音,Lei Wang)59歲的張華(Hua Zhang),罪名是經營妓院,提供賣淫等。
警察為了調查,在目標店鋪中秘密安裝錄像頭,記錄男子和女員工之間的互動。
邱比特警察長Daniel Kerr222日早上的記者會中表示,他們和所有其他人一樣震驚。警方在118日和22日之間,錄到2次羅伯卡夫特嫖妓。
因亞洲日蘭花水療店將面對控罪的,約有25人,羅伯卡夫特還不是其中名氣最大的人。整個人口走私調查,將有約200人被控告。彭博新聞指其中包括華森市的私人產權公司J. W. Child的創辦人John Childs
根據警方說法,該店的服務費為每小時59元至79元。
            足球聯盟並未就此消息立即回應外界詢問,但聯盟一項有球員,東主,教練,以及其他職員會因行為影響了足球聯盟公信力時,會受懲罰的政策。
            現年77歲的羅伯卡夫特,擁有愛國者隊已25年,期間贏得6次超級杯冠軍,最近一次是上個月在亞特蘭大。羅伯卡夫特還是卡夫特集團執行長,麾下擁有足球大聯盟新英格蘭革命隊,國際森林產品。
            羅伯卡夫特的涉案,不論是否罪證確鑿,他的形象都將受到極大影響。他原本預定6月要到以色列,從總理本雅明內塔尼亞胡(Benjamin Netanyahu)那兒領取以色列的最高榮譽"創世紀獎
            他有四個兒子。妻子Myra2011年辭世。從2012年起,他一直和39歲的女演員Ricki Noel在一起。

波士頓紀念 228 同鄉會放映2/23"悲情城市"

[波士頓台灣同鄉會特別活動-
紀念 228 電影播放與專題座談]

228 特別活動- 播放經典電影 「悲情城市」與專題座談

[波士頓台灣同鄉會特別活動- 紀念 228 電影播放與專題座談]

可曾想像你今天在臉書上寫了幾句感言. 或是參與了某個娛樂活動照片上有你,然後就被警察帶走審判甚至是與家人永隔?可曾想像你很高興買了機票想回台灣,卻發現護照被註銷被列為黑名單,至此數十年無法回台灣?

二次世界大戰後國民黨政府接手日本統治下的台灣,實行高壓統治並鎮壓搜捕異議人士,造成數以千計的家庭流離失所,也就是我們俗稱的 228 事件。雖說已過了 70 年,許多的痛仍舊難以撫平,我們除了要紀念 228 . 莫忘歷史外,並以電影及專題講座的方式帶大家了解在那個時代到底發生了什麼事。

[悲情城市] 是侯孝賢的一部經典電影,由梁朝偉. 陳松勇. 李天祿等人主演,在那個還是戒嚴時代挑戰當時尚未完全民主化的台灣社會的禁忌話題,並成為首部在世界級三大影展內榮獲首獎的台灣電影。電影藉由一個家庭的故事反映出時代變遷及政權輪替過程中,所造成不可抹滅的衝突,並探討台灣人的處境及身份認同的問題。

光看電影卻沒有相關人士為我們剖析與呈現當初真實的時代背景是不夠的,我們很榮幸邀請到 Tufts 大學杜武亮教授來帶著大家剖析並分享當時的時空背景與故事,杜教授是杜聰明的孫子,也是 228 受難者的家屬。

[Free Event]
Date: 02/23/2019 (Saturday)
Venue: Harvard University, Boylston Hall 110-Fong Auditorium
Time: 1-5 pm

Agenda (section 1: movie; section 2: talk/QA):
12:45 - 1:00 check-in
1:00 - 3:40 Movie
3:40 - 4:00 Coffee Break
4:00 - 4:20 Short presentation by Prof. Tu.
4:20 - 5:00 Discussion and Q/A.

如果有興趣參加的麻煩填一下問卷以便我們準備中間休息的點心數量。
https://goo.gl/forms/ya2BSF1KWm0XM9Jk2


我們特別感謝候孝賢電影公司免費讓我們播放此電影,也非常感謝哈佛同學會及 MIT 同學會在場地上的協助。

星期五, 2月 22, 2019

新英格蘭台灣商會請魏則楷談2019報稅注意事項

右起,張耀熙, 林才民(後),張秀梅,宋玉珍,會計師魏則楷,賴怡音,李苡惠,胡美惠,許炳煌(左一)等人會後合影。(周菊子攝)
                        


(Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市報導)2019年報稅,得注意稅法變動。會計師魏楷則應新英格蘭台灣商會和青商會之邀, 216日在僑教中心說明,普遍來說稅率降低了,標準扣減額加倍,但不是每個人的繳稅額都會減少。
會計師魏則楷。(周菊子攝)
          魏則楷也強調,麻州稅法和聯邦稅法雖然相似,並不一樣,申報時需留心。
           在大波士頓已執業廿多年的魏楷則,這天在台商會會長李苡惠安排的講座中,發給出席者多達14頁的減稅及就業法簡報,一一解說,並回答問題。來自新英格蘭台灣商會、青商會,紐英崙客家鄉親會,以及社區各界的聽眾,不下五,六十人。
             魏則楷指出,這次的稅改是1986年以來,變動最大的稅法改革,絕大部分納稅人都會受影響,不過大部分改變都是臨時性的,到2025年就失效,此外政府還在不斷做技術性修正。
年輕的出席者提問。(周菊子攝)
             對個別報稅人來說,這次稅改的主要內容有稅率變動,兒童稅修訂,廢除奧巴馬醫保個別規定(Individual mandate),最低替代稅(AMT)的改變,各項扣減額改變,房地產及禮物稅,擴大應用529帳戶,災難性損失等。
           以個人所得稅率的改變來說,2018年收入在9,525元以下者,稅率仍為10%,年收入在38,700元以下者,其收入總額中的9,525元,只需繳稅10%38,700元減9,525元部分,則需繳稅12%。和2017年度稅率相比,減少了3%
            各收入段的減稅幅度在0%4%之間,年收入在82,500157,500元之間的單身或已婚人士,減幅最高,4%
報稅講座出席踴躍。(周菊子攝)
            但年收入在400,000元到417,000元之間,聯合報稅的已婚夫婦,以及年收入在200,000元到417,000元之間的單身人士,反而要多繳稅,多繳額可高至2%
            繳稅時的標準扣減額提高了。  單身人士從6,350元提高到12,000元,已婚聯合報稅人士從12,700元提高到24,000元。魏楷則指出,在這情況下,絕大部分人士將寧可採用標準扣減額,不會再選擇在新稅法中限制最高申報10,000元的分項扣減(Itemized deduction)
             來自逝者的房地產及禮物,可豁免繳稅額度也提高一倍,單身達1120萬元,已婚夫婦2240萬元。年度禮物免稅額也提高到15,000元。
             符合資格的災民,可以從退休計畫中提領最高10萬元,豁免10%的提早領取稅。
             在問答環節中,不少人問到在外國有存款,房產,該怎麼辦的問題,狀況包括父母或祖父母為子女,孫子女在外國開立了帳戶,沒告訴子女,他們不知道,當然沒申報,該怎麼辦等。魏楷則指出,有些狀況最好諮詢律師,例如在場的胡美惠,會能更妥善回答。(圖片已於19日發表)
胡美惠律師回答問題。(周菊子攝)

Statement of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins On the Feb. 22, 2019, Fatal Police-Involved Shooting on Gerard Street in Roxbury

Statement of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins
On the Feb. 22, 2019, Fatal Police-Involved Shooting on Gerard Street in Roxbury

BOSTON, Feb. 22, 2019—Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins today made the following statement to the community on this morning’s fatal shooting involving a Boston Police officer:

“Any loss of life is tragic and this morning’s events on Gerard Street are no exception.  I want to express my relief that the injured officer is expected to survive.  I hope for his full recovery, and my thoughts are with his family at home and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement.  I also want to express my deep sadness and sympathies for the family and loved ones of the man whose life was lost.  They, too, are undoubtedly in shock at circumstances beyond their control.
“I want to assure the people of Boston and Suffolk County that I will be conducting an independent investigation into this incident and it will be full, fair, thorough, and impartial.  If anyone in the community has information on this incident they haven’t yet disclosed, they can feel safe bringing it to my attention.
“In these early stages, I have assigned First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Mulhern to handle this investigation and report directly to me.  As my direct representative, ADA Mulhern responded to the scene last night and has updated me regularly throughout the early morning hours, as has Commissioner Gross.  I spoke with the Commissioner immediately after the shooting and we have communicated several times since then.
“By statute, this investigation and all decisions stemming from it rest exclusively with me, the District Attorney, independent of any other agency or individual.  I pledge to base any decision I make exclusively on the facts, the evidence, and the law, and again I offer my prayers and condolences to both families impacted by this shooting.” 

U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE COLLECTS MORE THAN $5 BILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2018

U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE COLLECTS
MORE THAN $5 BILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2018
Massachusetts collections account for more than one third of the nation’s total recoveries

BOSTON - U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling announced today that the District of Massachusetts collected more than $5.213 billion in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2018. Of this amount, more than $4.9 billion was collected by the District alone - $25,028,095 in criminal actions, and $4,906,284,211 in civil actions

The District of Massachusetts also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $282,208,233 in cases pursued jointly. As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018. The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

In addition to these civil and criminal collections, the District of Massachusetts was also responsible for the forfeiture of $20,788,659 in criminal proceeds, or other property involved in crimes, in Fiscal Year 2018.

“I’m proud of the work the prosecutors in my office have done to secure more than $5 billion in civil and criminal collections, and asset forfeitures, in 2018 alone,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “The District of Massachusetts has long been a leader in financial recoveries in the areas of health care fraud, securities fraud and civil settlements, and we will continue to aggressively pursue collections that return money to victims of crime and U.S. taxpayers, and that deprive criminals of their ill-gotten gains.”

“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice. The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

In August 2018, the District of Massachusetts announced a $4.9 billion settlement with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, which was the largest penalty ever imposed on a single entity by the Justice Department for financial crisis-era misconduct.

               U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

                The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws, or fines for other fraudulent conduct.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Education.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES TRADE MISSION TO BOSTON'S SISTER CITY PRAIA, CABO VERDE

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES TRADE MISSION TO BOSTON'S SISTER CITY PRAIA, CABO VERDE
BOSTON - Friday, February 22, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced he will lead a coalition comprised of City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts officials, and business and nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders on a Boston-Cabo Verde Trade Mission to strengthen the City's partnership and sister-city agreement with Cabo Verde. The delegation will focus on ways to expand economic opportunities between Boston and Cabo Verde, while reinforcing the fundamental goals set in the sister-city agreement signed in 2015 between the City of Boston and City of Praia, the capital city of Cabo Verde, that calls for collaboration on education, health, arts and culture, business and trade, and public safety.

"This mission to Cabo Verde offers us an incredible opportunity to strengthen ties with the country where many Bostonians have their family roots, while showcasing the best of all Boston has to offer and unlocking new doors of opportunity," said Mayor Walsh. "It's important that as we continue to grow as a city, we look beyond our borders as part of our strategy for creating and sustaining equitable economic growth in the City of Boston."

From February 22 to February 28, 2019, the trade mission delegation will make stops on the islands of Fogo, Brava and Santiago, where Mayor Walsh and delegation participants will visit local schools, the main hospital, speak with various business organizations, and meet with top business and government leaders. These visits and meetings will focus on fostering economic and cultural development, expanding commercial and business activities, boosting the number of small and mid-sized enterprises, growing trade and jobs, improving health outcomes, and increasing educational opportunities.

"As the proud son of Cape Verdean immigrants and Boston's Cape Verdean community, I know first hand that having a strong working partnership with the City of Praia and Cabo Verde is beneficial to both of our Cities' residents, culture, economy, and quality of life," said John F. Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "Through our Sister City program we have exchanged best practices, fostered business relationships, and shared cultural experiences with cities around the world that help to strengthen Boston's diversity and economy."  

A portion of the trip will also include a learning journey organized by the Hyams Foundation and in consultation with Aminah Pilgrim, Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. On Monday, February 25, delegation members will travel to Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the first European colonial town to be built in the tropics, a center in the routes for international maritime trade, included in the routes between Africa and the Cape, Brazil and the Caribbean, and a strategic location for the Atlantic trade of enslaved persons of modern times.

"I am grateful to Mayor Walsh for this collaboration and learning opportunity. Boston has a rich and diverse community, and exploring our cultural ties in Africa and Cabo Verde will help us inform and continue the progress made through our race dialogues in order to ensure a more inclusive City," said Hyams Foundation Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn V. Sargent.

Greater Boston is proud to be the home of over 40,000 Cape Verdean residents. According to the American Community Survey from 2014, one of every five Cape Verdeans in the United States lives in Boston. Overall, Cape Verdeans in Boston constitute 4.4 percent of the city's total foreign-born residents, and Cape Verdean Creole is in the top five languages other than English spoken in Boston.

Recognizing the significance of this population in Boston, the City of Boston signed a Sister City Agreement with Praia, Cabo Verde in 2015 to foster economic, social and cultural exchange between these two cities. One of the goals of the Sister City Agreement is to develop strategies to expand commercial activities between Praia, Cabo Verde and Boston with an aim to increase the number of small and mid-sized enterprises, grow the volume of imports and exports, and create jobs to boost the economies in the City of Praia and the City of Boston.

Key delegation participants include:
  • Mayor Martin J. Walsh
  • John Barros, Chief of Economic Development, City of Boston
  • Danielson Tavares, Chief of Diversity, City of Boston
  • Joe Finn, Commissioner, Boston Fire Department
  • Alvaro Lima, Director of Research, Boston Planning & Development Agency
  • State Senator Vinny DeMacedo, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • State Representative Liz Miranda, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Nam Pham, Assistant Secretary of Business Development and International Trade, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Representatives from Berklee College of Music
  • Jocelyn Sargent, Hyams Foundation
  • John Cruz, Cruz Construction
  • Dr. Jean-Jacques Alves, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

星期四, 2月 21, 2019

胡桃山音樂營嘎然而止 將變身夏日系列音樂會

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)中華表演藝術基金會220日正式宣佈,已有近30年歷史的胡桃山音樂營,今年畫句點。每年都在營期間舉辦的系列音樂會及協奏曲比賽,將以夏日系列音樂會之名,轉往新英格蘭音樂學院音樂廳,照常舉行。
中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵在一份聲明中表示,胡桃山音樂營自1990年舉辦以來,成就非凡,每年都有大約50名以上來自台灣,香港,中國及美國等各地音樂學生及世界級大師參加,讓數難以計的學子受惠匪淺。校友中如朗朗,Eric Lu, Yeol Eum Son, Kate Liu等,有許多人已蜚聲國際,成為廣受歡迎的專業演奏家。
胡桃山音樂營的音樂會演出,更是每年都得到波士頓最大古典音樂雜誌(Boston Music Intelligencer)的全面報導與好評。他們甚至以南邊的岩港音樂節(Rockport Music festival South) “的比喻,來高度讚譽和肯定這音樂節。
譚嘉陵說, “結束胡桃山音樂營,實在是逼不得已。胡桃山音樂營是一個中華表演藝術基金會向胡桃山音樂學校租借場地,為音樂界學子提供進修平台,親炙大師機會的暑期活動。雙方一直合作愉快。沒想到胡桃山音樂學校今年突然通知場地漲租,漲幅還一跳三倍,經努力協商仍無效,她只能很遺憾的結束胡桃山音樂營,不再續辦。
但為照顧音樂學子,造福社區,譚嘉陵幾經思考後,決定繼續舉辦音樂營時期的音樂會表演系列,以及協奏曲比賽,不過地點就改到交通更方便些的波士頓新英格蘭音樂學校音樂廳。
今年的協奏曲比賽部分,參賽者不限地域、國籍,凡年紀在25歲以下,均可參加,報名截止日期為2019531日。比賽曲目為勃拉姆斯鋼琴協奏曲D小調地1號。未來幾年,可能選用其他樂器曲目做比賽。
協奏曲比賽得獎者將獲得和水銀(Mercury)交響樂團在新英格蘭音樂學校喬丹廳(Jordan Hall)同台演出的機會,以及獎金3000美元。水銀交響樂團是2010年的美國管弦樂演奏獎全國冠軍,指揮是Channing Yu
有意者需送交影音素材(YouTubeYouku)參加徵選,通過後到波士頓參加初賽與決賽。徵選評委包括新英格蘭音樂學院的Bruce Brubaker,台灣國立台南藝術大學鍾曉青,美國曼哈頓音樂學院Philip Kawin,王寅飛,中國武漢音樂學院徐洪等五人。
初賽和決賽的評委包括美國波士頓音樂學院Jonathan Bass,美國新英格蘭音樂學院
 Wha-Kyung Byun,美國麻省理工學院音樂系David Deveau,美國新英格蘭音樂學院和克利夫蘭音樂學院Haesun Paik,美國水銀交響樂團指揮Channing Yu
            87日至824日,中華表演藝術基金會將在新英格蘭音樂學院舉辦系列音樂會,全部免費,但建議捐款10美元。6歲以下兒童不准入場。
系列音樂會的日期及時間如下:
87日星期三,涂翔 (Hsiang John Tu) ,鋼琴
88日星期四,Sam Ou,大提琴和 Chi-Chen Wu,鋼琴
89日星期五,駱奇偉Chi Wei Lo) ,鋼琴
88日星期六,Jiyoung Lee,大提琴
811日星期日,陳宏寬 (Hung-Kuan Chen) ,鋼琴
814日星期三,陳涵 (Han Chen) ,鋼琴
815日星期四,X + YZ樂團: 袁泉
(Quan Yuan) ,小提琴,張婉哲,女高音,施珈 (Jia Shi) ,
鋼琴,Sue-Ellen Tcherepnin,長笛,Vladimir Andric 男中音和 Jasmina   Trumbetas,女高音
816日星期五,Larry Weng,鋼琴
817日星期六,協奏曲比賽第一輪獨奏曲目
818日星期日,協奏曲比賽決賽
819日星期一,于翔 (Angelo Xiang Yu) ,小提琴
820日星期二,Andrew Li,鋼琴
822日星期四,Tony Yike Yang,鋼琴
824日星期六,協奏曲比賽得獎者與水銀交響樂團合作演出
查詢8月在新英格蘭音樂學院夏季音樂會系列的時間表以及協奏曲比賽的相關詳情,可上網:http//www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/summer/index.html

紐英崙龍岡親義公所慶新春 人人有獎

紐英倫龍岡親義公所主席關麗莎(右一),劉承德(左二)和元老
趙羨藻(中)歡迎紐約龍岡親義公所主席張德江(左三),關振良
夫婦(右二,三)。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英倫龍岡親義公所,217日晚在帝苑大酒樓掛出桃園結義古城會,忠義仁勇萬代傳的布幅,上繫劉關張趙四姓宗親藩旗,和將近300名宗親,嘉賓,同慶已亥豬年新春。
駐波士頓台北經文處處長徐佑典、僑教中心主任歐宏偉,波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)、第二區市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)等嘉賓,和遠道來賀的紐約龍岡親義公所主席張德江,關振良夫婦應邀到賀。
這場新春晚宴由劉秀華,趙寶玲擔任司儀,洪青體育會的祥獅獻瑞揭開序幕後,顧問張錦龍宣讀「勉之,勉之,勿以惡小而為之,勿以善小而不為。惟賢,惟德,可以服人」的先祖遺訓。主席關麗莎,副主席劉承德先後致歡迎,感謝詞。
紐英倫龍岡親義公所主席關麗莎(右起)與駐波士頓台北
經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典,杜麗雲夫婦。(周菊子攝)
主席關麗莎的另一半,鳳倫公所主席司徒宗達這晚扮財神,在趙春雲,劉素嬋提著裝有金巧克力的送財籃,陳國航高唱財神到的襯托中,逐桌祝福到會的宗親及嘉賓,今年財運亨通。
出席嘉賓的洪門謝仲安,梅少華,僑聲音樂社的老搭檔黃國威,雷玉霞等人在餘興節目環節中一一獻唱。波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉也湊興高歌一曲上海灘
紐英倫龍岡親義公所在過去這20年間,歷經起伏、波折、動盪。2012年,龍岡親義公所因主席改選,再度爆發爭議。公所宗親分成兩派,各有社區奧援,互不讓步,僵持數年,還打起官司,直到2018年才在法官要求,律師現場監督,重辦選舉,才終結爭議 。
龍岡主席、嘉賓在祥獅獻瑞後合影。(周菊子攝)
跨入整頓第2年,主席關麗莎當晚在匯報去年紐約龍岡主辦懇親大會,世界龍岡宗親,具拿督身分,新當選的馬來西亞龍岡主席都出席到賀,十分隆重。紐英崙龍岡忝為一員,與有榮焉。今年的新春慶祝會,欣得各僑團,企業支持,禮品豐富到人人有獎,聊以開啟新年好兆頭。
新年度的紐英倫龍岡親義公所職員,依序為主席關麗莎、副主席劉承德,中文書記張碧華,英文書記關醒棠,財政劉素嬋,公關關榮康,康樂趙春雲,核數趙暢棠,總務趙惠玲,監察長張錦龍,監察委員張國深、劉秀華、趙靜霞、趙能。

波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉(右)向紐英倫龍岡元老
趙羨藻敬酒。(周菊子攝)
波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu,右)和愛德華費林(Ed
 Flynn)聯袂來賀。(周菊子攝)
龍岡親義公所顧問張錦龍(後中)和宗親、朋友等紛紛
來向元老趙羨藻(左三)問好。(周菊子攝)
趙寶玲(左),劉秀華(右)擔任大會司儀。(周菊子攝)
趙寶玲(左起),劉秀華和陳國航合唱娛賓。(周菊子攝)
僑教中心主任歐宏偉獻唱他的首本名曲"上海灘"。
(周菊子攝)
洪門大哥謝仲安(左)和洪門主席梅少華(右)合唱。
(周菊子攝)
黃國威(右)和雷玉霞(左)在春宴中再度搭檔獻唱。
(周菊子攝)
劉景燁當晚入會,成為紐英倫龍岡最新會員。(周菊子攝)