首屆波士頓台灣影展售票近千張 籌委會眾志成城

波士頓台灣影展義工和駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典合影。(圖片來自影展籌備會臉書)

       (波士頓訊)波士頓台灣影展已經於五月二十七號閉幕，活動圓滿成功。影展期間，共售出近千張票卷，第二天更緊急加開當日票供觀眾購買。此外，額外販售的交流餐酒會，更有二百三十位來賓共襄盛舉，大大超出原本預估的一百五十位 ; 觀眾問券回饋，滿意度更達到99%。影展的成功，歸功於每一位為影展付出的志工、贊助的朋友、與會的電影工作人員以及熱情參與的觀眾。

      第一屆影展，從發想到實踐，中間不過短短六個月。期間影展團隊從選片，接洽導演團隊，確認時間，再來一連串的尋找贊助、洽詢場地、徵求志工、設計主視覺，再開始思考策展理念和論述、定位影展特色、安排導演對話、增加短片單元、邀請特別娛樂嘉賓博恩。一連串不斷的溝通、接洽、確認，檢核活動細節，加上期間不斷地聯絡媒體，透過不同管道宣傳。每位志工都是他們上班、上課之餘全力為之。學生志工更是辛苦，繁重的課業之餘仍肩負重任，舉例來說，劉家樑在期末考期間兼設計影展中場投影、藍凡耘則在準備資格考期間為影展奔忙、周中平則是在求職轉換階段一肩扛下影展主持等多項任務。最重要的是，在影展結束時，每一位付出心力的志工及工作團隊們，向彼此道謝，感恩對方的付出。

       影展的任務是創造對話的平台，分享台灣的多元文化，其中影展選的開幕和閉幕片，同以表白青春為題：《疾風魅影：黑貓中隊》及《我們的青春在台灣》闡述了冷戰時期及2014台灣太陽花學運時當時年輕人的奮鬥與掙扎，透過這樣對比加深了不同層面的台灣意象。透過這次的機會，許多台裔美國人及當地的居民，在影後熱情的接洽我們並希望夠擔任下一屆的影展志工，原因不僅僅是因為他們深受影展感動，更是因身為亞洲第一同性婚姻合法化等等不同層度在世界閃耀的國家為榮。

      我們很幸運能夠獲得比翼資本成為我們第一個巨額贊助，透過這樣打下堅持籌辦影展的精神，長榮航空、中華公所、TECO及多數贊助商更是提供直接及間接上許多贊助，也因為眾志成城的努力，為期兩天影展，總共六部台灣電影、三部短片、一次博恩站立秀，成功表達出影展的精神。再次感謝所有的贊助商、數十家媒體共計五十多篇不同的報導、與會的導演和團隊及所有的工作人員及與會者。(第一屆波士頓台灣影展籌委會提供)

SSP named James Beard Foundation Impact Program Sustainability Partner

SSP named James Beard Foundation Impact Program Sustainability Partner

New York, United States: June 13, 2019: The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) is today pleased to announce they have been named a James Beard Foundation Impact Program Sustainability Partner.

“Chefs and restaurants drive trends around seafood, and therefore we have a responsibility to promote the most sustainable seafood options available,” said Katherine Miller, Vice President of Impact for the James Beard Foundation. “SSP are experts on the complex seafood supply chain and recognize the benefits of sustainable aquaculture, which is why we are pleased to have them as a Sustainability Partner and have their support in increasing education and awareness of responsible farming practices among our growing network of chefs and restaurant professionals.”

The James Beard Foundation is one of leading global sustainable food advocacy organizations, which has built a platform for chefs to support the promotion of sustainable and high quality foods, and asserted the power of gastronomy to drive behavior, culture, and policy change around food.

“The James Beard Foundation is the perfect partner for SSP as we share the same values in driving change in the seafood sector to promote the benefits of sustainable practices for both the product and the environment,” added Pamela Nath, SSP Director. “By becoming a James Beard Foundation Impact Partner we are able to connect with chefs and culinary experts all over the US to raise awareness of sustainable practices, the benefits of quality over costs, and work with the Foundation to deliver high quality, sustainable shrimp products to their network.”

As part of their role as Impact Partner, SSP commit to offering products which meet the highest environmental and social standards – all SSP branded farmed shrimp meets the Aquaculture Stewardship Council Standard, plus due to their extensive natural based farming approach is also free of antibiotics and fully tracable.  SSP will also support the ongoing education of the culinary community in sustainable seafood choices, by contributing to many of the James Beard Foundation events including: Sustainable Seafood Issue Summits and Culinary Labs. (From SSP)

Chelsea Soldiers’ Home Awarded $100 Million to Replace Long Term Care Facility

Chelsea Soldiers’ Home Awarded $100 Million to Replace Long Term Care Facility

BOSTON – The Chelsea Soldiers’ Home has been awarded $100 million from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to replace its long term care facility. The grant will reimburse the Commonwealth of up to 65% of construction costs for the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. The Baker-Polito Administration has secured the funds to rebuild the facility.

“Today marks another milestone for the redevelopment of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “It is our duty to care for those who stood up and served this nation, and our obligation to ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten. This funding allows us to move forward in that commitment.”

“Receiving this grant demonstrates Massachusetts’ strong relationship with veteran organizations on both the state and federal level,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This award helps the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home continue its efforts in providing care to our veterans with honor, dignity and respect.” 

Governor Baker announced plans for the new long term care Community Living Center (CLC) in May of 2017 and a groundbreaking was celebrated in October of 2018. During the construction, the facility will remain fully operational. The new facility will have 154 private rooms to care for veterans. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2022.

“We appreciate the financial commitment and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “We are building a state of the art facility that will care for our nation’s heroes.”

“Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in its care for Veterans. The VA’s grant helps us continue to care for our elder population of Veterans throughout the Commonwealth,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Francisco Ureña. “We’re looking forward to the great things to come for the campus and its members.”

The Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea first opened its doors to Massachusetts veterans in 1882 and offers Residential and Long Term Care programs to eligible Veterans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The campus offers Independent Living and Long Term Care services; serving approximately 300 Massachusetts Veterans daily. The Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea operates with a staff of 310 employees, whose mission is to provide the highest quality of personal health care services to Massachusetts Veterans with Honor, Dignity, and Respect.  Chelsea is surveyed annually by the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”). It is also fully accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

"反送中" 40香港人波士頓街頭靜坐抗議

Around 40 Boston Hongkongers Sat-in in the middle of Downtown Crossing

Standing in global solidarity with Hong Kong’s current protest around the Legislative Council, around 40 Boston Hongkongers follow the student and worker strike to sit-in on Wednesday at the pedestrian zone in Downtown Crossing. They all dressed up in black attire and white ribbons. They laid out their banner to collect signatures from pedestrian and distribute leaflets to draw people’s attention on the issue.

Joining us were U.S. citizens and HK students from different colleges, including Boston University, Emerson College, Boston College, Berklee School of Music, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We all live in different cities.

On June 9th, more than a million people took the streets of Hong Kong in peaceful opposition to the newly proposed amendment, joining demonstrators in 29 cities across the world in global solidarity. However, later that evening, unarmed protesters in Hong Kong were violently attacked with tear gas bombs and pepper spray at the hands of the Hong Kong Police. Ignoring the obvious opposition to the proposed law, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam refused to withdraw the extradition amendment and announced the second reading of the bill on June 12th.

As we watch events unfold on the news, it’s easy to feel hopeless and helpless to see our city and our fellows to be crushed under the heel of a government that seeks to curtail freedom in exchange for control. We don’t a bright future of HK if this law is passed, but we can be certain that the basic principles of liberty will not be served by a government that seeks to undermine inalienable human rights. (From organizer)

Baker-Polito Administration Designates New Early College Programs

Baker-Polito Administration Designates New Early College Programs

More than $900,000 in grants awarded to early college programs that will begin in the Fall 2019

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today awarded designation to early college programs at 13 high schools and eight public colleges across the Commonwealth that will enroll thousands of students next fall, giving them opportunities to study in college-level courses and earn credits before they graduate high school.

Governor Baker and Education Secretary James Peyser made the announcement during an event at Bunker Hill Community College, organized to recognize the high schools and colleges that have launched programs designated by the state this school year.

With the new awards, there are 35 high schools and 18 colleges in Massachusetts with designated early college programs. Early college programs combine traditional high school classes with college courses through a local college or university to give students knowledge and exposure to an area of study, while earning up to 12 college credits – equivalent to one semester-- for free. By creating designated early college programs, the Baker-Polito Administration aims to break down barriers between high school and higher education to create a more seamless path for students to move to college and careers.

“Exposing students to early college is a way to create opportunities for students to earn college credits in high school and encourage them to continue pursuing a degree,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “We believe early college has such an impact on student success that our administration proposed making it part of a school district’s state aid calculations so that more districts can provide students with these opportunities.”

“Early college gives students experience in college-level work, which builds their confidence in their own ability to succeed,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “It is exciting to see more students enroll in these programs and we are thankful to the teachers and college faculty who are taking on this work.”

The Governor’s education funding legislation, An Act to Promote Equity and Excellence in Education, proposed a new enrollment category that will provide additional funding for high schools that implement Early College and Career Pathway programs. The bill - still under consideration by the Legislature - would create a dependable revenue stream as part of a school district’s Chapter 70 aid for every student enrolled. Currently there are approximately 2,400 students enrolled in early college and career pathway programs.

“Early College reduces the need for students to take remedial education courses in college by ensuring they are exposed to college-level work before they graduate high school. These programs build competence and confidence in students, making college an achievable reality for many young people across the Commonwealth,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

Early college boosts college completion rates for low-income students, minority students, and first-generation college-goers by exposing students to college-level work and different career pathways before they graduate high school. The college courses are designed to fulfill high school graduation requirements and award college credit.

Each program awarded designation was approved by the Commissioners of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Higher Education. Programs received up to $140,000 in implementation grants.

“We know that approximately 40% of students who enter our public colleges and universities are assessed as underprepared for college coursework, with students of color disproportionately assigned to remedial courses,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos E. Santiago. “From an equity standpoint, I see early college as one of the best strategies we can implement to increase the number of students who arrive on campus ready to succeed and graduate on time.”

“Designated early college programs provide students an opportunity to connect their high school experience to college and their future career,” Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley said. “I hope these opportunities will prepare and encourage more students to enroll in and persist through college.”

In 2017, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Higher Education agreed on criteria to enable programs to become designated early college programs. Through the designation process, the Departments of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education ask K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities to jointly design models.

There are five design principles for a designated early college program:

•                 Equitable access for all students

•                 Guided academic pathways

•                 Enhanced student supports

•                 Relevant connection to career

•                 Deep partnerships between high schools, community colleges and state universities

The following high schools and college and universities partnered together to launch the newly designated programs announced today:

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School with Bunker Hill Community College – Madison Park and Bunker Hill faculty worked together to develop 9th and 10th grade math and English curriculum that will encourage a college-going culture. Starting in fall 2019, all 10th grade students will take a “Bridge to College” course, which is a college exploration and readiness curriculum. Students will enroll in college courses in 10th grade and most early college students will begin taking at least two college courses per semester at Bunker Hill Community College. Students can choose courses in health science, business and marketing, technology; creative economies and the arts and culinary and hospitality. School leaders aim to increase the size of the program to one-third of all Madison Park students in grades 10 through 12.

Fitchburg High School, Leominster High, Gardner High School and Sizer School with Fitchburg State University and Mount Wachusett Community College – Fitchburg State University and Mount Wachusett Community College are collaborating with four high schools in the region to launch the “North Central Massachusetts Early College Academy.” Students will have the option to take courses at both campuses. Students in 9th and 10th grade will take career exploration and college preparation courses before they officially enroll in the North Central Massachusetts Early College Academy at the end of 10th grade. Students will be able to choose pathways in liberal arts, healthcare, nursing, business, industrial technology and business. School officials project more than 350 students will be enrolled by the 20-21 school year.

Framingham High School and Milford High School with Framingham State University and MassBay Community College – Known as the MetroWest Scholars program, this early college program will engage students as early as middle school to instill a college-going mentality among students, particularly minority students who tend to be underrepresented in higher education. This program will overlap with the 100 Males to College program in Framingham and includes a defined pathway for students from 9th to 12th grade. Students in 9th and 10th grades will participate in college and career awareness courses, followed by advising and counseling to support students in choosing a pathway in 11th and 12th grade. Students will take courses in business management, education, sociology and criminal justice, and STEM. School officials expect to have more than 120 students enrolled by the 20-21 school year.

Haverhill High School with Northern Essex Community College – Students will be exposed to early college options in the 9th grade through college and career workshops. All 10th grade students will be enrolled in the Northern Essex Community College First Year Seminar course offered at Haverhill High School. Students will then choose to enroll in college courses on the NECC campus in 11th and 12th grade, deciding on pathways in liberal arts, business, healthcare, education, social services, criminal justice and STEM. School officials expect more than 100 students to be enrolled by 2021.

Lynn Public Schools with North Shore Community College – Students at Lynn Classical High School, Lynn English High School, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and Fecteau Leary Alternative High School will be able to take college courses at the high school, on the North Shore Community College campus and online. The three learning options will expose more students to the early college experience. Students will start earning college credits in the 9th grade and be able to complete their first-year college courses in both English and Math, as well as additional general education courses and other introductory courses aligned with their MyCap career plans.

Marlborough High School with Quinsigamond Community College – Marlborough High students will be exposed to early college options in 9th and 10th grade and will decide in 10th grade if they wish to pursue the early college pathway. Students in 9th and 10th grades will be enrolled in honors level classes in math, English Language Arts, history and science, with academic supports built-in to ensure success and readiness for taking college-level courses. In 10th grade, students ready for college-level work will be placed in credit-bearing courses taken at the high school. Students can choose courses in English Composition, Introduction to Psychology and Introductory Sociology Principles. Marlborough High School will still offer its STEM pathways in computer science, biotechnology, healthcare, and engineering. School officials estimate there will more than 150 students enrolled by 2020-2021 school year.

Marathon Champion Returns to Boston for Weekend Events

Marathon Champion Returns to Boston for Weekend Events

Men’s Wheelchair Champion Daniel Romanchuk to be celebrated at Community Events and B.A.A. 10K, Presented by Brigham & Women’s Hospital

BOSTON, MA (11-June) – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), organizer of the 2019 B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham & Women’s Hospital, will welcome 2019 Boston Marathon champion Daniel Romanchuk back to Boston for the B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and surrounding race weekend events.

Romanchuk won the 123rd Boston Marathon in a time of one hour, 21 minutes, 36 seconds — a pace of 3:07 per mile and the fastest time ever by an American at Boston. The 20-year-old trains with the prestigious University of Illinois racing team. Prior to his 2019 Boston Marathon victory, Romanchuk won the 2018 Chicago and New York City Marathons, completing the American sweep over a six-month span. The 2019 Champion’s stay in Boston includes the Sunday, June 23rd race and several media opportunities beginning on Friday afternoon. A detailed list of media events and opportunities can be found below.

Events are open to the media with prior registration. Please email media@baa.orgfor your organization to attend.

Friday, June 21

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Daniel will answer questions and engage with B.A.A. 10K athletes at the 2019 B.A.A. 10K Race Weekend Clinic at

Brigham & Women’s Hospital, 45 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115.

Saturday, June 22

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The B.A.A. will bring its youngest Wheelchair champion in history to engage the next generation of athletes, as Daniel will meet, greet, and interact with young Para athletes at the Adaptive Sports New England Para Track & Field practice in Somerville, MA.

4:05 PM

Historic Fenway Park, home of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, welcomes the 2019 Boston Marathon Champion to throw out the first pitch as the Boston Red Sox take on the Toronto Blue Jays.

Media availability via Boston Red Sox

Sunday, June 23

8:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Daniel will return to the roads of Boston and complete his Boston Marathon victory lap by racing the B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He will aim to break the B.A.A. 10k course record of 22:55, held by Tony Nogueira from the 2016 B.A.A. 10K. Following the race, Romanchuk will congratulate finishers, meet and greet participants, and enjoy the post-race festivities on Boston Common.

Massachusetts Democratic Party Launches Petition Calling on Governor Baker to Take the T

Massachusetts Democratic Party Launches Petition Calling on Governor Baker to Take the T

Online petition launched the day after a Red Line train derailed and four days after a Green Line derailment

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Democratic Party launched an online petition this afternoon calling on Governor Charlie Baker to take the T. The petition, which is being circulated on the Party’s social media accounts, calls on the Governor to do something one million people do on a daily basis - take the T.

“It’s time for Governor Charlie Baker to finally see first hand what our experience using the T is like, as leaders like Governor Patrick and Governor Dukakis have done before him,” the petition reads. “It’s time for the Governor to FINALLY take the T.”

“For years the Governor has been dead-set against taking the T,” said Gus Bickford, Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. “This petition calls on the Governor to show some respect to the people of Massachusetts who rely on the MBTA in order to live their lives by experiencing what they experience - frustrations, headaches and all. We are tired of Baker’s excuses about not being a “point-to-point person. Governor, it’s time you overcame your inexplicable fear of the T and get on a train.”

“Anyone who rides the T regularly can see that service isn’t moving in the right direction,” said Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu. “We don’t need more investigations or patience; we need real investment and accountability with real urgency to address our transportation crisis. Asking riders to wait for improvements while raising fares is exactly the wrong step. I’d be happy to show Governor Baker what it’s like to use the service he has been refusing to support and introduce him to some fellow riders on my commute.”

波士頓香港人"反送中" 今日發起學生、工人罷工，靜坐

            (Boston Orange整理報導)香港人”反送中”抗議，今(12)日將在波士頓城中區的行人道上，蒐集簽名，呼籲人們關注香港目前處境，希望有更多人支持他們反對香港實施”逃犯引渡條例”。

            日前因直言自己是香港人，遭遇大批中國留學生在網上攻擊的許穎婷(Frances Hui)發出新聞稿表示，6月9日時，香港有一百多萬人走上街頭，和全世界29個城市的支持者一起，和平反對新近在香港提出的”逃犯引渡修訂案”，然而在香港的那些手無寸鐵抗議者，當晚竟遭香港警察以瓦斯催淚彈和胡椒噴霧攻擊。香港特首林鄭月華也無視民間對該法的明顯反對，拒絕撤回”逃犯引渡修訂案”，並宣佈該法案將於6月12日二讀。

波士頓香港人與波士頓大學，愛默生學院，波士頓學院，柏克萊音樂學院，哈佛大學，麻省理工學院等校的學生，訂週三(12日)早上11點至下午6點，在波士頓城中區(Downtown Crossing)人行道上，發起學生及工人罷工、靜坐。參加者將會穿上黑衣，繫白絲帶，並擺出布條收集簽名，派發傳單，呼籲人們關注此事。

許穎婷表示，香港政府為取得控制權，想要縮減人民的自由，一路輾壓人民意志，讓人感到無望又無助，但是此法一旦通過，香港的未來將不再光明。她們肯定，要剝削人權的政府，不會給人基本自由。

白禮頓樓耆英過端午 看表演 吃粽子

中華耆英會白禮頓樓主任梅麗梨(中)和得到新鮮花束
的幸運耆英合影。(耆英會提供)

          (Boston Orange)中華耆英會白禮頓樓6月7日慶祝端午節，數十名耆英吃粽子，唱歌，看表演，歡樂非常。

今年的端午慶祝會由徐勤杰、張麗冰、樂趙令瑜和司徒汶安四位女士主持，特地邀請了音樂團的薛國中，薛曼玲，Ewing Guan, Susan Yu，為出席耆英們演唱”女人心”，”每當變換時”等多首動聽歌曲，還安排了猜歇後語，幸運抽獎等活動，耆英們都玩得十分開心。

白禮頓樓耆英們欣賞表演節目。(耆英會提供)

白禮頓樓主任梅麗梨這天也當然道會的祝賀耆英們端午安康，美滿幸福，為當天的幸運耆英準備了愛心粽子，新鮮花束。

白禮頓樓耆英們欣賞表演節目。(耆英會提供)

中華耆英會白禮頓樓接下來的活動是6月14日中午12點15紛舉辦壽星生日派對，歡迎耆英參加。報名可洽朱麗芬，該中心電話：（617）789-4289，地址為677 Cambridge Street, Brighton, MA 02135。

第18屆台商盃高球賽 蔡高進隊又奪冠

僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右三)，台商盃高球賽籌辦人蔡坤喜
醫師(左三)頒獎給冠軍隊，右起，蔡高進，金雪松，
李台，林力明。(蔡高進提供)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)新英格蘭台灣商會第18屆(2019年)台商盃慈善高爾夫球賽，參賽隊數，比賽桿數都再上層樓，和去年相比進步一級。比賽收益將捐贈慈濟功德會。

新英格蘭台商會會長李以蕙(左起)頒獎給亞軍隊得主，
趙研田，李庚仁，蔣繼美，趙復興。(台商會提供)

               今年的冠軍隊，又是蔡高進組。蔡高進和李台，林力明，金雪松這組以負16桿，再度奪冠，比去年的低15桿，進步一桿。

               仍然在坎頓鎮的Ponkapoag高爾夫球場舉行的今年比賽，共18隊參賽，也比去年的16隊多1隊。

               廿年前就創辦了中華高爾夫球協會的李庚仁，今年也再度參加台商杯高球賽，還和蔣繼美，趙研田，趙復興這幾名老搭檔，以負14桿的佳績，拿下亞軍。

李庚仁頒女子最長距離獎給Nancy Beckman。(台商會提供)

               季軍則由全是西人的Lewis Freedman，Ian Freedman，Fed Stebbins，Tom Colett這組，以負8桿的成績取得。

               個人表現獎部分，王本仁贏得男子最近距離獎，Nancy Beckman贏得女子最長距離獎，林力明贏得男子離洞最遠獎，Denice Callaham贏得女子離洞最近獎。

王本仁(右)贏得男子最長距離獎。(台商會提供)

               台商會高球賽的籌辦主力，前會長蔡坤喜醫師當晚在荷花苑舉行的頒獎晚宴中宣佈，明年(2020)起，這一比賽將交由台商會高球賽工作小組負責。他非常感謝過去以來支持他籌辦這比賽的歷任會長、理事。

左起，台商會長李以蕙，台商會高球賽籌辦仁蔡坤喜
醫師，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉。(台商會提供)

               為呼應傳統，蔡坤喜還特地再做了一首打油詩，誌記比賽的的過程及涵意。

蔡坤喜的打油詩如下:年度商杯高球會，華洋球友十七隊，互磋球技兼慈善，交換商機話家常，各方好手齊揮桿，老少隔代大拚場，長距揮桿真神氣，球進沙坑不嘆息，同隊球友互打氣，球上果嶺鬆口氣，大家哈哈計桿數，老娘說的才算數，推桿進洞那一幕，奪得獎盃眾炫目，頒獎晚宴荷花苑，商盃結緣再相見。(6/12更新版)