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星期日, 5月 09, 2021

摩頓市宣佈5/9-16為「台美人傳統週」

 

麻州摩頓(Malden)市長Gary Christenson
宣佈
202159號至16號為摩頓市的
「台美人傳統週」,鍾佳君代表收受證書。
(圖片取自臉書)
              (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 麻州摩頓(Malden)市長Gary Christenson日前宣佈202159號至16號為摩頓市的「台美人傳統週」。

             Gary Christenson在回覆本刊時表示,他認為支持摩頓市居民花時間和其他居民分享其本土特色,是很重要的,以台灣來說,代表了民主、自由與人權這概念。摩頓市會做此宣佈,是由該市居民鍾佳君(Chia-Chun Chung)的推動。

             鍾佳君在臉書上分享了這一喜訊。她感謝摩頓市長Gary Christenson撥冗和她們見面,進一步的了解了台灣及台美關係現況,以及「多年來對台灣、台美人群體及整個亞裔族群的關心和他的各種行動支持」。

             由於五月份是美國的亞裔傳統月,有些人並不知道有「台美人傳統週」,鍾佳君也特地在臉書上貼出其歷史來龍去脈,說明19995月,美國首次慶祝了「台美人傳統週」,也從那年起,每年的母親節週末,都是「台美人傳統週」。

             查詢「台美人傳統週」歷史,可上網www.taiwaneseamerican.org/2006/05/taiwanese-american-heritage-week




波士頓公園天鵝船5/8起開放遊湖

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Mayor Janey celebrates opening of 2021 Boston Swan Boats season

 

Mayor Janey takes a ride with her family to celebrate the 144th anniversary of the Boston Swan Boats

 

BOSTON - Saturday, May 8, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and her family today joined the Paget family -- owners and operators of the Swan Boats -- and local residents today to open the popular Boston Swan Boats for the 2021 season at the Boston Public Garden lagoon. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Swans Boats were not open for the 2020 season. 

“As warmer weather comes to Boston, the reopening of the Boston swan boats is a great way to celebrate our recovery from the pandemic, especially after being closed last season,” Mayor Janey noted. “We welcome Bostonians and visitors back to our historic park to enjoy this joyful attraction in keeping with current health guidelines for a safe ride with family and friends.”

Launched in 1877 by Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget, the Swan Boats continue to be owned and operated by the Paget family. Mr. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan. 

2021 marks the 144th season for the Swan Boats. The oldest and smallest boat in the fleet just celebrated its 111th season, while the newest was launched in 1993. The swan on today’s boats is made from either copper or fiberglass, depending on the age of the boat. Fully loaded, each Swan Boat weighs three tons and is powered by the driver using a foot-propelled paddle wheel. The Swan Boats are built on oak framed pontoons sheathed in copper just as they were initially constructed in 1877. After being stored in a safe place for the winter, the boats are returned to the Public Garden Lagoon in the spring. 

Masks are currently required and passengers will be safely spaced both in line and on the Swan Boats. For more information on hours of operations, ticketing and pricing, please visit the Swan Boats of Boston online at www.swanboats.com, call (617) 522-1966, or email info@swanboats.com.

星期五, 5月 07, 2021

麻州亞美局推出小額獎助金 5/17截止申請

The Asian American Commission is proud to launch this small grant fund to support community efforts to fight for some of the most vulnerable communities and/or to provide support to organizations looking to continue relationships or begin new relationships dealing with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across the Commonwealth. These one-time grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 will be made available on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

Applications due: Monday, May 17, 2021 @5PM EST
Go to our website to download the application:
.
Eligibility and Criteria:
- Your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designated by the Internal Revenue Service or you are a small business located in Massachusetts with no more than 500 employees (or which meets the applicable size standard for the industry as provided by SBA’s existing regulations).
- Applicants must have the ability to work with low-income AAPI communities in the Commonwealth.
- Request amount should not be below $250 and not exceed $1,000.
Required Documents:
- Completed grant application.
- Your organization’s Letter of Determination (sent from the IRS confirming 501(c)3 status) or a copy of your Business Certificate (obtained from your city of operation).
- Your organization/business’ W-9 form (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf) have to be submitted with the grant proposal to be eligible.
- Please submit your completed application to yasmin.padamsee@aacommission.org

https://www.aacommission.org/aac-small-grant-fund/?fbclid=IwAR1uBf8JqhbMHrMimFUAWITESsX4xr_x1mXsmbQv5-ZfqbDl9WQc17BsQM4

5月10日起 麻州主題公園等戶外場所營運量可提高至50%

             (Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府宣佈,510日起,列於第四階段開放的遊樂場,主題公園等戶外行業,將可以50%營運量重新開放,預定529日,81日會陸續有更進一步的開放。麻州政府將採取在公共衛生數據持續向好方向發展中,繼續重新開放麻州經濟。

             322日時,麻州的重新開放腳步已進一步的放寬至第四階段。那以後,麻州的每日新增新冠病毒確診率下降了45%,住院率下降了23%,死亡人數也下降了69%,所有這些指標和今年年初相比,下降了約80%。麻州的施打新冠疫苗比率,在全美仍然名列前茅,已有390萬人完整地打了二劑或至少一劑疫苗。估計到6月初,麻州就可達到有400人完整接種了疫苗的目標。

             510日起,麻州將重新開放某些戶外第四階段行業,包括樂園,主題公園,戶外水上樂園等,像麻州公共衛生廳遞交安全計畫後,營運量可增加至50%

             道路競賽,以及其他的大型戶外業餘或專業群集體育活動,可以向地方衛生局或麻州公共衛生廳遞交安全計畫後,在分批次,或有其他適當安全措施中舉行。

             在第四階段第一步驟開放中,目前只能以12%的容納量經營的室內或戶外體育館,球場等大容量場所,營運容量將可增加到25%

             危險性中等或高的青年及成人業餘體育比賽,將獲准許舉行。

             在表演場所,餐廳,活動場所及其他企業嚴格遵守距離要求下,可以室內演唱。

             有藥鋪的雜貨店及零售店,應考慮撥出耆英專用時段,但不再規定必須如此做。

             529日,週六起,還將有更多變動。

             在公共衛生趨勢,以及疫苗接種數據持續向好發展下,529日時,將有更多行業獲准開放,聚會人數限制也將增加至室內200人,戶外250

             向地方衛生局遞交包括維持社交距離,員工人數及營運計畫,衛生及清潔規定及安全計畫後,將可獲准開放的行業包括,遊行,街頭慶典,以及農業節慶。

             酒吧 ,啤酒花園,釀酒廠,酒廠及蒸餾商將依照餐館業規定,只可提供入座服務,限逗留90分鐘,不准設舞池。

             視乎公共健康及疫苗數據,餐館業的食物必須和酒品一起出售這指導原則將取消,每桌人數限制也將提高為10人。

             麻州已於上週放寬某些戶外場所的戴口罩規定,同時宣佈計畫81日進一步開放。 查詢更多詳情,可上政府官網mass.gov/reopening 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Reopening of Additional Phase 4 Industries to Go Into Effect May 10th

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will move forward in the Commonwealth's reopening plan to reopen certain outdoor Phase 4 industries effective May 10th, as previously announced. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. 

On March 22, Massachusetts loosened restrictions and advanced to Phase IV of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. Since then, daily new COVID-19 cases have dropped by 45%, hospitalizations have dropped by 23%, and deaths have dropped by 69%. All these metrics have dropped by around 80% or more since the beginning of the year. The Commonwealth also remains a national leader in COVID-19 vaccinations, and over 3.9 million people are fully or partially vaccinated, and Massachusetts is on track to meet its goal of vaccinating over 4 million people by the beginning of June.

Effective Monday, May 10th:

The Commonwealth will reopen certain outdoor Phase 4 industries.

  • Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.
  • Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts and other appropriate safety measures after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.

Additionally, large capacity venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open at 12% capacity as part of Phase 4, Step 1 will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.  

Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high-risk sports.

Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.

Grocery stores and retail stores with a pharmacy department should consider dedicated hours of operation for seniors, but will no longer be required to offer senior hours. 

Additional Changes Anticipated to be Effective Saturday, May 29th:

Contingent on continued positive trends in the public health and vaccination data, on May 29th, additional sectors will be permitted to re-open and gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.

The additional sectors that will be permitted to open include:

  • Parades, street festivals and agricultural festivals, after submitting safety plans to the local board of health including measures for maintaining social distance, staffing and operations plans and hygiene and cleaning protocols.  
  • Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, which will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.

Subject to public health and vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table size to 10.

Last week, the Administration also relaxed the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings and announced further reopening plans for August 1st

For more information, visit mass.gov/reopening

大波士頓土地信託網慶成立五週年 持續努力爭取可負擔住宅

大波士頓土地信託網在網上開會慶祝成立5週年。
               (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)華埠土地信託會(CLT)日前以創會成員身分,廣邀社區人士參加大波士頓土地信託網(GBCLTN)五週年慶祝會,藉以促使更多人了解土地信託會的宗旨,使命是在為社區保存土地,保留可負擔住宅。

               波士頓華埠土地信託會成立於2015年,接著在2016年和其他地區的土地信託會攜手創立目前已有8個會員組織的「大波士頓土地信託網(Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network)」。

              GBCLTN在網站上我們的故事中說明,該機構成立,全因為波士頓地區不斷豪華化,人們被逼遷離的壓力,不斷增加,各社區內熱心人士紛紛出謀策劃的尋求解決方案。1988年出現的「杜爹利鄰居(Dudley Neighbors)」,歷經三十多年後,擁有227個可負擔住宅單位,以及市區農場,溫室,商業樓宇的機構,成為全美各地模範。2015年時,「杜爹利鄰居」和其他的土地信託會攜手成立這大波士頓土地信託網,互相扶持,攜手爭取政府通過更有利政策。

               波士頓華埠土地信託會當初也是抱著穩定華埠未來,使之成為工人階層家庭及波士頓華人社區中心的這心意而成立的。

波士頓華埠土地信託會主任駱理德。
              在慶祝大波士頓土地信託網成立五週年之際,波士頓華埠土地信託會也藉著年度報告,希望讓更多華埠民眾了解,社區土地信託(Community Land Trust)是以社區為基礎的非牟利組織,取得並永久保留土地,然後以99年的土地租約,要求在該會土地上蓋出來的房屋,只能用作永久性的可負擔住宅,或其他社區用途。

               波士頓華埠土地信託會在2018年和其他機構合作,成功推動波士頓市府通過條例,管制短期出租後,2019年收購兩棟排屋,為社區留住7戶可負擔住宅。

華人前進會共同主席黃夏儀。
              購買座落於華埠土地信託會擁有土地上的房屋的屋主,可以申請貸款,可自行決定大部分的裝修,並享有每年3%的屋價增值率,若購買後,裝修了房屋,還可享受額外的1%增值率,但必須遵守土地租約及公寓規則,未經波士頓市和土地信託會的批准。不得自行出租各人所擁有的單位。出售時,買方也必須是中低收入戶。

               目前波士頓華埠土地信託會除了繼續關注收購華埠內土地,房屋機會,同時推出了「社區土地信託之家」計畫。亦即購買華埠土地信託會房屋者,在擁有住宅自時,也成為共管公寓(condo)協會成員,每月繳交租貸土地費給擁有土地的土地信託會,以確保土地及房屋供做可負擔住宅之用。「屋街29號公寓協會(29 Oak St. Strret Trust)」就是一個例子。

慶祝會上解釋何謂土地信託會。
             波士頓華埠土地信託會現有董事七人,包括李素影,莊穎詩,梅清嫣,鄭繼良,阿圖羅,黃願明,黃國威。職員有駱理德及徐乙漾。入會年費5元。 

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.5 Million to 7 Agencies Across the Commonwealth to Support Expectant and Parenting Teens

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.5 Million to 7 Agencies Across the Commonwealth to Support Expectant and Parenting Teens

Award to provide additional support to young parents during the pandemic

BOSTON (May 7, 2021) – The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance today announced a total of $3.5 million, to 7 community-based agencies serving expectant and parenting adolescents in communities across the Commonwealth with high teen birth rates.

The Massachusetts Pregnant and Parenting Teen Initiative builds on participants' strengths to increase life opportunities and enhance family stability for expectant and parenting adolescents ages 14 through 24.  Programs offer case management that supports both young parents and their children to attain educational and employment goals, improve access to health services, support the development of young children, and promote healthy relationships between co-parents and between parents and their young children.

Among adolescents who have participated in the program for at least 6 months:

  • 58% made progress toward individualized academic and/or career goals
  • Employment increased from 26% to 37%
  • 98% were enrolled in health insurance
  • 71% who were pregnant attended a postpartum visit in the first 8 weeks after birth
  • Contraceptive use increased from 37% to 50%

All the funded organizations are in communities with teen birth rates that are higher than the state average, with funding specifically intended to support expectant and parenting adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created significant strain on adolescent parents in terms of employment, food security, and education.  

Award recipients:

  • Brockton Neighborhood Health Center (Brockton)
  • CARE Center (Holyoke and Springfield)
  • Community Teamwork Inc. (Lowell)
  • Family Services of the Merrimack Valley (Lawrence and Methuen)
  • LUK Crisis Center (Fitchburg)
  • Meeting Street (New Bedford)
  • Roca (Chelsea, Everett, and Revere)

5/15 徐千田教你如何"成為健康的好管家"



星期四, 5月 06, 2021

吳弭倡議改革警察局從工會合約談判起步 要設立職工賦能長

               

              (Boston Orange)波士頓市警察的誠信問題,最近佔據不少新聞媒體版面,更被稱為今年波士頓市長選舉的核心議題。候選人之一的吳弭(Michelle Wu)(6)日公佈藍圖,聲稱將藉由工會合約談判,協議談判過程來爭取清晰的系統性改革步驟。

               吳弭制定的步驟包括建立客觀的紀律模式,廢止某些嚴重犯行具有約束力的仲裁,阻止濫報加班費,把非暴力的911求救電話引導向替代回應小組,並藉由規定例行的主動向公眾報告資訊,確保數據透明化。

               波士頓市的四大警察工會合約,將於6月期滿,而且包括波士頓巡邏警察協會的合約還在協商中。諸如紀律,升遷,加班,以及警察扮演的角色,都要在合約中註明。市長要代表波士頓市協商合約,市議會投票批准或拒絕合約。

               吳弭說,我們急迫的需要從公共健康及社區信任的角度提供公眾安全,但是已經太久了,做有意義改變的這必要步驟被集體談判協議阻礙了。現在是時候以合約來認真對待警察局的結構性改變,從文化及系統性根本的改革,來達到我們所需要的透明及負責任,並且從警察局權限中去除非警察功能,減少浪費的加班費支出,重新投資進鄰里層級的服務。

               吳弭的競選團隊聲稱,這份藍圖,加上吳弭已經提出過的有關公共安全改革方案,將用作為更動合約的基礎。吳弭還公佈了大膽提案,要設立內閣層級的職工賦能長(Chief of Worker Empowerment),彌平托兒照顧差距,公校轉型,波士頓新綠色政策,純復原計畫,食物正義議程,數位平等議程等等。