Baker-Polito Administration Launches New $75 Million Small Business Relief Program

Baker-Polito Administration Launches New $75 Million Small Business Relief Program

New program directs $50 million toward businesses reaching underserved markets, minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, and $25 million for businesses that did not qualify for prior MGCC aid

 

BROCKTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of a new $75 million grant program to support Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program is part of the plan to spend $4 billion in American Rescue Plan funding that was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker in December 2021. The new program is modeled after Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s (MGCC) successful COVID-19 small business relief program. Under that effort, which became the biggest state-sponsored business relief program in the nation, MGCC oversaw the distribution of approximately $705 million to over 15,000 small businesses across Massachusetts. Today’s announcement was made at Luanda Restaurant and Lounge in Brockton, a family-owned business that received financial support through MGCC’s prior COVID relief grant program.

 

“We have been proud to support small businesses in every corner of the Commonwealth through the MGCC small business program during the pandemic, but we know that some challenges remain for many businesses,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With the launch of this new effort, we can build on MGCC’s successful work and direct important federal funding to those businesses with the greatest need quickly and effectively.” 

 

“Restaurants like Luanda are fundamental to the character of our neighborhoods, main streets and downtowns in every city and town in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This new initiative will ensure that businesses that need help the most will be able to take advantage of additional opportunities.”

 

The $75 million will be focused on small businesses that employ between two and 50 people, with $25 million directed toward businesses that did not qualify for previous MGCC grants because of a lack of revenue loss in 2020; and $50 million directed to businesses that reach underserved markets and historically underrepresented groups, or are minority-, women-, or veteran-owned businesses, or are owned by individuals with disabilities or who identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

 

Under both categories, grants will range from $10,000 to $75,000, and will be capped at the lesser of $75,000 or three months of operating expenses. Grant funding can be used for employee and benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and interest on debt.

 

"The challenges faced by Massachusetts' small businesses during COVID have been enormous, but in my district and across the state I have seen so many entrepreneurs and innovators respond with incredible perseverance and grace. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they deserve our support," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "Today's grants represent a choice by the Legislature to center small businesses in our effort for an equitable recovery. I am grateful to the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation for their work to distribute these funds to so many deserving businesses and I am thankful to all of the small businesses who have done so much for Massachusetts.”

 

“I am pleased to hear that the small business grant program, created through the Legislature’s ARPA bill, is now accepting applications, and will soon be distributing these funds to our small businesses,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “Delivering on the Legislature’s intent to pass a bill truly focused on equity, a significant portion of the funds from the small business program will specifically target minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses, as well as small businesses that didn’t receive previous grants during the pandemic. Small businesses are oftentimes the backbone of our communities and local economies, and I look forward to seeing these investments remain a priority for the House of Representatives moving forward.”

 

“When help was needed the most during the pandemic, the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation scaled up a nation-leading program to support our small businesses and the families and entrepreneurs behind them,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “I’m grateful to the MGCC team for once again stepping up to direct vital funding to the neighborhoods and communities that continue to face challenges created by this unprecedented public health crisis.”

 

“MGCC is pleased to be an instrument of recovery for the smallest of businesses throughout Massachusetts most affected by COVID-19 with these two new grants programs,” said Lawrence Andrews, CEO and President of MGCC. “The Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature recognize that certain communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and the goal of this funding will bring relief and stability to additional businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”

 

In addition to prioritizing applications from businesses that did not qualify for prior aid and businesses owned by individuals from historically underserved populations or operate in underserved markets, eligible businesses must currently be in operation and based in Massachusetts. Applicants must also demonstrate that business revenues for 2020 were between $40,000 and $2.5 million.

 

Learn more at EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $1.8 Million in Seven Grants through the Seaport Economic Council

Massachusetts Dredging Program’s 2022 Grant Round Officially Opens

LYNN – Tuesday, February 22, 2022 – Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced approximately $1.8 million in Seaport Economic Council grants for seven projects.  The grant funding will support a range of initiatives including the design of upgrades to coastal infrastructure, the development of a harbor management plan, and funding to support commuter ferry facility maintenance.  The grants were approved at today’s meeting of the Seaport Economic Council held in Lynn at North Shore Community College.  Today’s meeting was chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito who also announced the opening of the 2022 grant round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program.    “Through the Seaport Economic Council’s important work, we are proud to help coastal communities leverage their unique assets that are key drivers of economic activity,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “With this recent round of awards, our Administration is proud to support efforts in all corners of our coastline allowing Massachusetts maritime industries to grow and expand well into the future.”   “In addition to this round of Seaport Economic Council awards, we are pleased to open this year’s grant round of the Massachusetts Dredging Program,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “Dredging is critical to maintaining the strength of our coastal economy and by having a dedicated program, we can ensure important funding is directed toward projects that keep our waterways open and safe.”   The Seaport Economic Council serves all 78 of the Commonwealth’s coastal communities.  The Council awards grant funding to municipalities and other entities in support of projects that promote job creation and economic growth, transformative public-private partnerships, educational opportunities for young people, local economic development planning efforts, coastal infrastructure improvements, and the planning and permitting of saltwater dredging.  With this latest round of grants, the Seaport Economic Council has invested approximately $65.8 million through 145 grants in 53 coastal communities since 2015.   “The Commonwealth’s maritime activities play a vital role in the overall strength of the state’s economy,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “Thanks to the partnerships with our coastal communities and because of the Seaport Economic Council’s dedication, we can invest in projects like these that support the economy by modernizing infrastructure, enhancing public access, and improving climate resiliency.”    “Our coastal communities are home to a wide range of industries and uses that define the culture and traditions of the Commonwealth,” said Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba, Vice Chair of the Council.  “Thanks to the Seaport Economic Council, the combination of investments in shoreside infrastructure as well as saltwater dredging will ensure our maritime sector continues to thrive.”    The Massachusetts Dredging Program is administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and financed through capital funds authorized under the 2018 Economic Development Bond Bill.  Applications for the 2022 grant round are due April 15, 2022 and must include a minimum 50 percent match of non-state funds. All Massachusetts coastal municipalities are eligible to apply and applications will be evaluated by EOHED in consultation with staff from the Seaport Economic Council and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).   Since 2019, the Massachusetts Dredging Program has awarded over $16 million for 22 public projects, tapping into more than $22 million in matching funds and removing an estimated 585,000 cubic yards of material from public berths and channels. An additional 10 grants, totaling nearly $3.6 million, were awarded through the Commonwealth’s pilot dredging program in 2018.   Dredging projects have preserved or expanded access to over 7,000 moorings and dockage slips, navigation for over 600 commercial vessels, and the livelihoods of more than 70 private boatyards, marinas, and other harbor-dependent enterprises. Approximately one third of all dredged material has been beneficially reused for the restoration of public beaches.   Learn more about the Massachusetts Dredging Program.    Seaport Economic Council Grant Recipients   City of Gloucester, $100,000 For Saint Peter’s Landing and HarborWalk Improvements Design and Engineering, a city-owned and operated commercial marina and town landing home to 13 full-time commercial fishing boats.  The HarborWalk, established in 2012, is a multi-award-winning, 1.2-mile path that starts at Saint Peter’s Square and traverses Gloucester’s working waterfront and downtown commercial district.   City of Lynn, $380,000 For the Blossom Street Extension, Commuter Ferry Facility Maintenance Project. This three-phase project in conjunction with funding by the Federal Government and EDIC was a $7,500,000 investment in Lynn's Waterfront.  The facility is now in need of maintenance.   Town of Dartmouth, $50,000 Dias Landing Small Boat Docking Facility Design and Permitting.  This funding will support design and permitting of a small boat docking facility.  The design would specify parking, the number of spots for boats, amenities to be provided, the layout of the facility and more.  The goal of this phase of the project would be to have a set of plans ready to move forward with construction.   Town of Mashpee, $150,000 To support an update to the town’s Municipal Harbor Management Plan.  An updated survey of town waters would allow the town to advance the maritime economy while prioritizing the sustainability of the local fisheries to facilitate positive future decision-making for public access.   Town of Milton, $75,000 To support a feasibility study for the Neponset River Maintenance Dredging Project.  The historic channel within the Neponset River at Milton Landing and between Milton Landing and the Neponset Avenue Bridge has restrictions for boating due to sedimentation.  Furthermore, the channels separately connecting Squantum Point Park Pier and UMass’ John T. Fallon State Pier with the federal navigation channel are also restricted by sediment. The proposed feasibility study includes stakeholder outreach, and will define the dredge areas, conduct preliminary sediment sampling and analysis, conduct pre-permitting coordination with regulators, identify disposal options, develop an opinion of probable construction costs, and determine a schedule for permitting, dredging, and disposal. Town of Scituate, $1 million Cole Parkway Marina Rehabilitation, Phase 2: Replacement of the existing deteriorated timber floating dock system with a new floating dock system. Removal and replacement of the pump-out system, and potable water distribution system. Removal and reinstallation of the electrical distribution system within the marina.  New steel mooring piles and an 80’ ADA compliant gangway were previously installed in Phase 1 of the project. The new steel mooring piles will be reused to moor the new floats.   Town of Westport, $76,000 For Hix Bridge Landing design, engineering, and permitting necessary to prepare to rebuild and improve the Hix Bridge landing. Included are a rebuilt boat ramp, pretreatment of stormwater discharge, improved sea-level and climate resilience, better parking, safety, and handicap access for commercial and recreational purposes.

波士頓市第一區市議員補選 4/5投票 Gabriela Coletta再獲一州議員背書

 Second Suffolk State Representative Daniel Ryan endorses Gabriela Coletta 

BOSTON – Gabriela Coletta, candidate for Boston City Councilor District One, announced the endorsement of Daniel Ryan, State Representative for 2nd Suffolk. Preliminary Election Day is April 5, 2022. General Election Day is May 3, 2022.

“I’ve known Gigi through her service to the City of Boston, particularly her work in my hometown of Charlestown,” said Ryan. “She understands these neighborhoods. Nobody will work harder for the people of District 1 than she will. Her broad coalition of supporters have hit the ground, knocking on doors and talking to voters about this election. I proudly throw my support behind Gigi's energetic campaign and will do everything I can to assist her efforts to represent District 1 on the City Council. I look forward to having her as a colleague and partner.”

Daniel Ryan is one of the many elected leaders to endorse Gabriela Coletta for Boston City Council District 1.

“Dan Ryan’s dedication to his district has served as an example for and an inspiration to me over the years, and I am so honored to have his endorsement,” said Coletta. “He always puts the needs of others before his own and I would be thrilled to work with him hand-in-hand to serve the people of Charlestown.”

Gabriela Coletta will host a canvass this weekend in Charlestown with Dan Ryan this Sunday at 12PM,. For more information, please visit

http://gigi4district1.us/events. This Sunday at 4PM, State Representative Dan Ryan will host an event in support of Coletta’s candidacy with Charlestown friends at Warren Tavern. For more information please visit, http://secure.actblue.com/donate/gc-millennials

In just the first month of her candidacy, Coletta has secured the endorsement of over seventy community leaders including various former and current elected officials. To learn more visit about gabrielacoletta.com, Facebook at @GigiforDistrictOne, and Twitter @Gigi4District1. 

麻州早期教育及保育委員會委員長Aigner -Treworgy離任

Executive Office of Education Announces Transition at the Department of Early Education and Care, Departure of Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy  Acting Commissioner to be Named at March 8 Board Meeting

BOSTON – Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy announced today she is stepping down, after spending more than two years in the role during a time when the agency’s mission was focused on keeping child care programs safely operating in the midst the COVID-19 pandemic.   Her resignation is effective March 8, the date of the next meeting of the Board of Early Education and Care, and an acting commissioner is expected to be named at that meeting.    “We are very supportive of the Commissioner’s bold strategic vision and are deeply grateful for her tireless leadership during the COVID-19 health crisis,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “She has laid a solid foundation for strengthening the organization and improving access to affordable, high-quality child care, as we emerge from the pandemic.”    “Leading EEC at a time when child care has played such a critical role for the Commonwealth has been challenging and extremely rewarding, from the first moments of the pandemic when we opened emergency child care for the families of first-responders, medical personnel, and other essential workers, so children could safely remain in care,” said Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy. “I am grateful for the tireless efforts of the EEC team and the thousands of child care providers across the Commonwealth who worked to safely continue caring for children. Serving as Commissioner as we have risen to meet these unprecedented challenges has been the honor of my career, and I look forward to continuing to support the work ahead.”    “On behalf of the entire Board, I am indebted to the Commissioner for her leadership and for the expertise and innovation she brought to the Commonwealth’s early education and care landscape” said Board of Early Education and Care Chair Nonie Lesaux. “Through the strategic plan, and several ongoing initiatives, her leadership will continue to have an impact on educators and on children and families.”    Among many accomplishments, during her tenure, Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy led a strategic planning process in collaboration with the Board and developed and implemented the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grant program. The C3 grants, an innovative approach to stabilizing operations and bringing infrastructure support to child care during the recovery period, were launched in the summer of 2021 and were extended through the end of June 2022. To date, the program has distributed approximately $230 million to child care providers across Massachusetts.    In January, EEC also launched Testing for Child Care, a first-in-the-nation statewide testing initiative that allows staff and children 2 years and older, who are close contacts of a COVID positive individual, to test daily for five consecutive days with rapid antigen tests and remain in the child care setting as long as the test is negative.    Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy was sworn as commissioner in August of 2019. She grew up in Massachusetts and began her career in early education and care as a preschool teacher in Illinois.  For the past decade she has worked in early education policymaking, finance, and systems improvement.  Prior to joining EEC, Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy was the chief of early learning for the City of Chicago.

麻州2022的STEM年度峰會訂4/18舉行 將擴大學生實習機會

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Annual Massachusetts STEM Summit 2022 STEM Summit aims to expand internship opportunities for students

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the 2022 STEM Summit will be held on April 28 with both in-person and virtual events for educators and employers across the Commonwealth to promote STEM education opportunities for all students and facilitate internships with business partners.   The STEM Summit is hosted jointly by the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, and this year will include a mix of in-person and virtual panel presentations, plenary speakers and networking opportunities. The goal of the STEM Summit is to foster relationships between schools, local colleges, and businesses to benefit students’ educational experiences by expanding opportunities for internships and create a talent pipeline for Massachusetts employers. Massachusetts has held an annual statewide STEM Summit since 2004. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) President Laurie Leshin will be the keynote speaker. Last month President Leshin, a geochemist and space scientist, announced she will step down as WPI president at the end of this academic year to serve as the Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by Caltech for NASA. “As our economy continues to recover from COVID-19, it will be crucial for young people to develop the hands-on, technical skills that local employers need to grow their businesses,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, STEM Advisory Council Co-Chair. “Now more than ever, we need to bolster connections between the business community and students pursuing STEM curriculum to ensure that all students are ready for careers that are growing in our Commonwealth.”   The Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council is co-chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, and Dr. Jeffrey Leiden, executive chairman of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “Massachusetts should have the best STEM education in the world. I look forward to advancing that goal at the 2022 STEM Summit,” said Congressman Auchincloss.   Massachusetts has more demand for STEM jobs than almost any other state. Approximately 21 percent of the total Massachusetts workforce is employed in a STEM industry, compared to the national average of 14 percent, and STEM jobs are expected to account for 40 percent of total employment in the Commonwealth by 2028. “The challenges brought on by the pandemic also provide opportunities to highlight the pivotal role STEM plays in the future of the Massachusetts economy,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “This year we are asking employers to reenergize their commitment to providing both in-person and virtual STEM internships and work-based learning experiences to students across the Commonwealth during this coming summer and throughout the school year so all of us can benefit from a diverse and talented pool of young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in STEM fields.” “The STEM Summit is one of the ways we connect industry leaders, community partners, and educators to ensure all students, particularly young women and those who are underrepresented in STEM, continue to have opportunities they need to succeed,” said Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman of Vertex. “We hope the Summit makes those valuable connections so more students gain experience from internships.”   Last year’s STEM Summit was a day-long virtual event that focused on mentorships and internships with the theme “Inspire a STEM Start.” More than 1,000 people attended the various panel discussions. The Baker-Polito Administration recently unveiled a new STEM dashboard which details information about STEM courses offered in schools around the Commonwealth; data on the STEM economy; information on schools that have early college and early career programs; and other applied learning courses offered by i2learning, Project Lead the Way and the Boston Museum of Science. The dashboard is a hub of information about STEM resources and careers, as well as a way to connect the public to the Commonwealth’s Regional STEM Networks. Established in 2004, the Regional STEM Networks serve as a nexus for educators, community leaders and industry partners to further excite and energize students about opportunities in STEM subjects. For more information about the Summit, visit Mass.gov summit page.

麻州物業稅2022降幅大但波士頓住宅地稅不降微升

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 過去四年來，整個麻州的商業和住宅稅率一直在下降，去年的下降速度比 2018 年以來的任何時候都要快。波士頓市則是例外。住宅房地產稅不降微升。

根據美國稅務局對數據的分析，截至 2022 年初，麻州所有 351個市鎮的住宅稅率中位數為每 1,000 美元繳稅 14.62 美元。 這比上一年降了 4.4%，比 2018 年初以來降了 6.1%。

同樣，商業稅率中位數去年下跌 3.7%，降至每 1,000 美元繳稅 16.78 美元。 這商業稅率中位數和 2018 年比，降了 5.0%。

              不過波士頓市倒是住宅房地產稅率持續攀升，從2018年的10.48，攀升到2022年的10.88。商業房地產稅則是從2018的25.20，微降到2022年的24.98。

              劍橋市則是住宅地產稅從2018的6.29降到2021的5.85，然後2022回升到5.92。商業地產稅則是從2018年的14.81，降到2022年的11.23。

              昆士市的住宅地產稅率，從2018的13.34降到2022的11.98。商業房地產稅則從2018的27.04降到2022的23.86。

              摩頓市的住宅地產稅率，從2018的14.09降到2022的12.35。商業房地產稅則從2018的21.84降到2022的19.17。

然而，過去一年住宅和商業房地產的價值快速上漲，意味著儘管稅率較低，但繳稅帳單金額卻仍在上升。 根據稅務局( DOR) 的數據，今年單家庭屋住宅的稅單金額平均增加了 395 美元，達到平均總計 6,767 美元。

以2022的住宅地產稅的稅率來看，最高是Longmeadow的24.64。在較多華人居住或關心的市鎮中，劍橋市住宅稅率最低5.92，波士頓市10.88，牛頓市10.52，昆士市11.98，摩頓市12.35。近年來有許多華人遷居該地的Sharon，住宅及商業的房地產稅率都是19.75。

2022住宅地產稅率最低的，在Becket和Gosnold這兩個市鎮無數據顯示之外，Chilmark的2.82最低，其次為Hancock的3.0。

以2022的商業房地產稅的稅率來看，最高是Holyoke的40.60，其次為Pittsfield的39.9。最低則是Chilmark和Hancock，依序為2.82和3.0。

紐英崙客家鄉親慶天穿日 唱山歌、誦童詩 熱鬧溫馨

 

紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴和出席鄉親打招呼。

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙客家鄉親會2月20日晚的「天穿日慶祝會」雖然在網上舉行，但節目豐富得頗出人意料之外，鄉親們不但輪番憶述童年經歷，家鄉軼聞、趣事，演唱客家山歌，猜謎，還組劇團精心錄製11分鐘短片，表演可圈可點，客家味十足。

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元稱許客家鄉親團結。

              紐英崙客家鄉親在團結，有凝聚力的名聲之外，最為人津津樂道的是客家鄉親們的好廚藝。會長宋玉琴特地安排客家便當，送到府上的讓鄉親們在網路慶祝會中遙距圍爐時，一樣可以享用客家焢肉、小炒，酸菜，四季豆，艾草粄等客家美味。

              這場慶祝會由會長宋玉琴策畫，並和副會長謝如鍵，以及副會長畢儒宗主持。

                            宋玉琴會長指出，這次的活動是為疫情解封做準備，希望為將來的實體活動找回在疫情中失聯的鄉親，也希望藉著一場場活動來拉近鄉親情誼，打破疫情造成的疏離感。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮感謝客家鄉親支持。

                           在駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、僑教中心主任潘昭榮致詞，宋玉琴感謝處長、主任捐抽獎品，慈濟香積組張秀玲送出紅棗枸杞薑醬，畢儒宗送出小畢農場蜂蜜，宋玉琴、謝如鍵送現金及禮卡供抽獎後，一連串的節目，都令人驚豔。

              紐英崙客家鄉親會創會會長林岱和邱西薔，劉悅慧，蔡睿理，畢儒宗，花了2星期籌備，在剛好雪融，勁風吹襲那天拍攝的「天穿日不休息」(https://youtu.be/6PgT78tK_PE) ，以客家話錄了四幕戲，還配上字幕，讓不懂客家話的人也看得懂。他們自備的服裝、道具，舉手投足的動作，都有濃濃客家氣息，讓人看得饒有趣味。

              

曾政明、鄭雪卿夫婦朗誦童詩。

第一幕是「客家說說唱唱」，帶出天穿日又名針線節的典故，笑說明年去白宮表演，由邱西薔唸唱了一首客家童謠「新丁粄」。第二幕以採茶戲大劇團的名義演出「撮把戲」，由林岱揹著棚頭唱客家rap。第三幕又唱「思戀」山歌，又有徐木珍教唱「甜粄」配上蔡睿理裝模作樣地拉二胡。第四幕由宋玉琴出場介紹，畢儒宗扮演山歌教授，拿著個菸斗，解釋客家山歌有海陸、饒平、梅縣、廣東、廣西、四縣，陸豐、松口，廣南等多種不同腔調；客家小調有200

蔡睿理(左)、劉悅慧(右)粉墨登場。

多種，現在人們還聽得到的有平板調，山歌仔調，思戀歌，十八摸歌，賣酒調，桃花過渡，撐船歌等等。客家山歌多半很樸實，唱個人的喜怒哀樂，以及做人做事道理，最有趣的是對唱，例如掌牛哥碰上採茶姑娘，撐船哥碰上桃花女，就開始拚歌，拚智商，拚反應，絞盡腦汁的用暗諷，比喻，不讓對方在口舌上佔便宜。歌詞還有限制級的。

              這齣短片以”有情阿妹唱山歌”大合唱，夾以”鄰居抗議太吵”的段子收尾，十分搞笑。

              接著是分享「家鄉軼事/趣聞」。客家鄉親會前會長周一男教授分享了全台灣歷史最悠久，香火最盛，也是客家信仰中心，曾獲乾隆皇帝頒給「褒忠」敕旨的新埔義民廟故事。他還記得當年

林岱(左)、邱西薔(右)編導演錄，道具全都自己來。

15

畢儒宗扮教授，闡釋客家山歌典故。

個村輪流辦神豬大賽的情景。本身是澎湖人的黃淑英從台灣元宵四大活動的北天燈，南蜂炮，東寒單，西乞龜談起，展示了用米袋，銅錢，巧克力等做成的各種造型西乞龜。來自苗栗的劉秀春，回想小時候跟在姐姐身後，淘氣穿梭當地名勝龍騰斷橋，享用苗栗卓蘭巨峰葡萄，以及龍眼，水梨柑橘茂谷柑等美味水果。史先澍演唱客家歌「阿樹哥的雜貨店」，作為他上客家會話班的成果展。曾政明，鄭雪卿夫婦朗誦客家童詩「月光華華」。父親是來自山東軍人，母親是台灣當地人的王豫靈也唱了首客家歌，述說著童年時的好鄰居就是客家人，常相往來的結果，讓她也能流利的說客家話，熟悉客家習俗。宋玉琴會長分享了小時候住在外婆家的經歷。

林岱扮演三昧。

             在表演節目中間，還有邱西薔主持的「揣令仔」，也就是猜謎語。像「頭頂四四方，尾項圓叮噹，一日桌項行三轉，暗哺企到天光」這樣的謎題，不是客家家人，恐怕還真猜不出來謎底是「筷子」。

左起，林岱、蔡睿理、邱西薔合唱山歌。

              紐英崙客家鄉親會今年的天穿日慶祝會，十分熱鬧，嘉賓不少，除前述諸人外，還有紐英崙中華專業人員協會的周萬欽，大波士頓中華文化協會的湯耀武，僑務諮詢委員蔣宗壬，紐英崙客家鄉親會榮譽理事徐世寬，大費城客家會創會會長李彥輝等。曾任客家鄉親會副會長，近年長期在美國境外的林展輝，也由好友蔡高進陪伴，來參加這線上活動。許多久未見面的鄉親，朋友，藉著網路慶祝會，彼此總算又看到一面，每個人都覺得十分溫馨。

紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴在慶祝會開始時祝願，一願天下太平，二願國泰民安，三願家庭和諧，四願大家身體健康，慶祝會末提醒鄉親們別忘了2月26日還有場種果菜經驗分享講座。(更新版)

楊英櫻夫婦。

王豫靈不是客家人，卻既會講客家話，也熟悉客家習俗。

客家便當配特製艾草粄。

史先澍唱"阿樹伯的雜貨店"。

周一男夫婦講述義民廟歷史。

加州伯克利校友會2/13舉辦全美華人青年領袖峰會

 應請轉載

2022年度“華人青年領袖峰會”在洛杉磯舉辦

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洛杉磯 2022年2月15日 - 由加州大學伯克利分校(UCB)最大的華人校友會組織–伯克利全球華人校友會（BCAIA）、全美中華青年聯合會主辦的2022年度“全美華人青年領袖峰會”，在由於疫情中斷兩年後，於2月13日在洛杉磯舉辦，在全美華裔新生代、留學生群體中最具知名度和影響力的青年組織、校友會、學生會的負責人、以及創新、創業和學生精英等，就今年峰會主題“通過跨區域資源和信息共享實現共同成長”，共同研討全美華人青年機構和留學生團體的跨區域合作、資源和信息共享、創造安全發展氛圍、確保華人新生代和留學生實現個人和群體的成長目標。

知名投資人、伯克利全球華人校友會（BCAIA）會長吳澤強；全美華人青年精英年度評選委員會主席、全美中華青年聯合會會長任向東；南加州大學中國學生學者聯誼會（USC-CSSA）共同主席劉阿錦、蔣心宜；加州大學河濱分校中國學生學者聯誼會(UCR-CSSA)主席李鴻宇；加州大學洛杉磯分校中國學生學者聯誼會(UCLA-CSSA)副主席何潤宇；以及來自加州大學洛杉磯分校和南加州大學的留學生、華人學生參加了當天的峰會。

南加州大學（USC）中國學生學者聯誼會共同主席劉阿錦、蔣心宜介紹了近期在社交媒體上引起轟動的“中國新年”改名事件，聯誼會通過有效途徑與有理有節的方式與校方溝通，最終獲得了校方的正式道歉回應，在全美留學生群體和當地社會中獲得了廣泛和良好的迴響。

知名投資人、加州大學伯克利分校全球華人校友會（BCAIA）會長吳澤強在了解了各留學生組織今年的活動計劃後，表達了積極參與的意願，並表示將邀請多位在加州大學伯克利分校工作的諾貝爾獎獲得者在今年組織和主辦多個涉及新興科技話題的跨區域線上論壇。

加州大學洛杉磯分校中國學生學者聯誼會(UCLA-CSSA)副主席何潤宇介紹了與南加州大學、加州大學伯克利分校的聯誼會聯合主辦，即將在21號晚舉辦的線上招聘會。屆時將有各大知名企業的人力資源部門工作人員介紹各自的企業和第一手的開放崗位信息。

加州大學河濱分校中國學生學者聯誼會(UCR-CSSA)主席李鴻宇介紹了他們在元宵節前夕，邀請近300名留學生免費同享團圓宴的策劃過程。他同時介紹了在遠離都會區的大學，學生會如何通過團隊服務，受到留學生的認可。

全美華人青年精英年度評選委員會主席、全美中華青年聯合會會長任向東表示，華人和留學生群體在疫情期間經歷了學習、工作和生活方式巨大轉變的挑戰，同時也要面對美國社會內日漸增多的針對亞裔的仇恨犯罪。在這樣的環境中“我們如何面對、能做什麼、應該怎麼做”等都是我們亟需考慮的議題。南加大中國學生學者聯誼會在回應“中國新年”改名事件中的做法，非常值得借鑒。

剛剛入學的南加大工程學院的留學生Lily介紹瞭如何規劃時間，確保足夠的睡眠時間的關鍵是早睡早起；其他留學生也分別介紹了自己參加的體育項目。