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星期六, 10月 31, 2015

波士頓市議員加薪14%定案

波士頓市議會在1028日,離大選日只剩6天之際,以9票對4票,通過市議員加薪14%,約12,000元。波市議員的年薪,將從87,500元提高到接近六位數字的99,500元左右。
            市議員們通過的加薪案是由波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)提交的。依慣例,波士頓市長的年薪是市議員的兩倍,馬丁華殊本人的年薪,將因此可提高至199,000元。不過,目前年薪為175,000元的馬丁華殊,已表態不會接受加薪。
            波士頓市議員上一次加薪是2006年。那一年,加薪幅度高達16.7%,年薪從75,000元調至87,500元。
            波士頓的加薪率和其他相若城市相比,包括巴爾的摩(Baltimore),明尼蘇達(Minneapolis),費城(Philadelphia),舊金山(San Francisco),西雅圖(Seattle)等地相比,都好得多。
            4名投反對票的波士頓市議員為普斯莉( Ayanna Pressley),吳弭(Michelle Wu),楊西(Charles Yancey),以及查金(Josh Zakim)。
            波士頓環球報日前發表文章,支持普斯莉與吳弭連任波士頓市議員。

星期五, 10月 30, 2015

MAYOR WALSH HOSTS STREET ARCADE EVENT TO CELEBRATE EXPANSION OF PARKBOSTON APP TO ALL BOSTON PARKING METERS

MAYOR WALSH HOSTS STREET ARCADE EVENT TO CELEBRATE EXPANSION OF PARKBOSTON APP TO ALL BOSTON PARKING METERS
Boston Meter Card Phasing Out as ParkBoston Usage Grows

BOSTON - Friday, October 30, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today hosted a street arcade in the South End to celebrate the expansion of the ParkBoston app to all 8,000 metered parking spaces in the City of Boston. The app allows drivers to quickly and easily pay a meter with their mobile phone, avoiding the hassle of finding quarters or running back to meters to add more time before it expires. To date, there have been more than 150,000 downloads of the app.

"Updating parking meters so that they accept smartphone payments is a huge step forward in our goal of using technology to improve basic city services," said Mayor Walsh.  "People are embracing ParkBoston as a new way to pay their parking meter, and there are currently over 100,000 active users of the app. We expect that number to continue to grow as people learn how easy and convenient it is to pay a parking meter with their phone."

The average number of transactions taking place per day in July was 3,361; in August, 4,665; and in September, 6,054.  A one day high of 9,486 transactions was reached on October 29th.

"Developing and implementing ParkBoston has been a joint effort of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics and the Boston Transportation Department," said Chris Osgood, Boston's Chief of Streets.  "It is a perfect example of the good work that is being accomplished as City agencies combine resources and collaborate to bring useful initiatives to our constituents."

As part of the celebration of the success of ParkBoston, the street party featured games such as Whack-a-Mole and Ms. Pacman, as well as ParkBoston themed giveaways, and a bubble hockey tournament with app users. These games are aimed at highlighting the entertaining ways that people can use their quarters now that they are no longer needed for parking meter payments. During the arcade event, Mayor Walsh teamed up with Boston Bruins alum Rick "Nifty" Middleton to challenge users in a competitive game of bubble hockey.

"ParkBoston is a customer service enhancement that provides both convenience and time-savings," said Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Gina Fiandaca.  "Using this form of payment, there is no need to feed an individual meter or seek out a pay station.  Motorists may simply pull into a legal space in a metered parking zone, access their ParkBoston account, and pay the meter fee remotely by phone with a credit card."

"We know that parking in Boston isn't always easy, but the ParkBoston app improves at least one aspect of the experience," said Kris Carter, co-chair of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics.  "People have been using ParkBoston since it was first introduced in January as a pilot program in the Back Bay. Today is a way to bring a little bit of fun to the street and celebrate the completion of the citywide expansion of the ParkBoston program."

The free ParkBoston app is also available online at Park.Boston.gov and through the App Store or Google Play for iPhone and Android users.  A pay-by-voice option is offered for those without web-enabled phones.

Additionally, the Boston Meter Card will be phased out as a meter payment option. The Boston Meter Card, a pre-paid card sold in denominations from $5 to $100, was made available in 2011 as a parking meter payment option at single space meters.  At that time, Boston's multi space meter pay stations accepted dollar bills, quarters and credit cards, but the City's single space meters only accepted quarters.

Although Boston Meter Cards are no longer for sale, they will continue to be accepted as payment for another few months. Those with an existing Boston Meter Card balance have the option of transferring their balance into a ParkBoston account.  Please contact the Office of the Parking Clerk at 617-635-4410 for more information on completing this transaction. City Hall to Go Truck staff will also assist with this process.  The truck's schedule may be viewed at http://www.cityofboston.gov/cityhalltogo/.

Passport, an industry leader in mobile payments, worked with the City of Boston in bringing ParkBoston to local motorists.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Solar Canopy Grant for Roxbury Community College

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Solar Canopy Grant for Roxbury Community College
Solar canopy will provide power, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on energy costs

BOSTON – October 30, 2015 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced grant funding for a solar canopy at Roxbury Community College (RCC) that will supply a significant portion of the electricity needed by the college. The $600,000 grant from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is the third to be awarded from DOER’s Leading by Example Solar Canopy Grant Program.

“Solar canopies are shining examples of Massachusetts’ commitment to clean, local energy, particularly at our state colleges, universities, state agencies and authorities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Massachusetts’ pledge to lead by example benefits every ratepayer in the Commonwealth as state facilities secure long-term energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

“This $600,000 grant for Roxbury Community College will allow the college to cut down on its energy costs and reduce its carbon footprint,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This array represents the commitment of state government to lead by example by pursuing large scale renewable power as part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce harmful emissions associated greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Roxbury Community College will save more than $5 million over 20 years, thanks to reduced electricity costs and the projected revenue it will get from Solar Renewable Energy Certificates through DOER,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Not only does this project save taxpayer money, it also helps Massachusetts achieve our Global Warming Solutions Act targets and our goal of reaching at least 1,600 megawatts of solar in Massachusetts by 2020.”  

The 937kW project could generate enough electricity to power 136 Massachusetts homes each year and is expected to reduce 369 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equal to taking 78 cars off the road a year. 

“Solar canopies create an additional use for parking lots, reducing the heat created by the pavement, creating shelter from weather and providing a visible learning tool,” said DOER Commissioner Judith Judson. “State projects such as this help us protect ratepayers and meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act as we stay at the forefront of innovation and lead by example.”

The 2015 Leading by Example Clean Energy Grant Program – Solar Photovoltaic Canopies seeks to increase installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) parking canopies and innovative solar PV technologies at state facilities. All projects will also add electric vehicle charging stations. 

Solar canopies provide opportunities to generate clean renewable electricity at operating parking areas, while reducing heat absorption on parking surfaces and shading parked vehicles.  DOER is supporting large, public solar PV canopy projects that will assist in meeting the Leading by Example Program energy goals, reduce or have no impact on agency/facility energy costs and provide ancillary benefits, such as shading and a reduction in the heat island effect. Massachusetts agencies have installed some 3.5 megawatts of solar canopies, with studies underway that could lead to dozens more megawatts from additional canopy installations over the next several years.

The program is funded by an allocation of Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) funds. ACP funds are paid by electric retail suppliers if they have insufficient Renewable or Alternative Energy Certificates to meet their compliance obligations under the Renewable and Alternative Portfolio Standard programs.

The Leading by Example (LBE) program works with state agencies to meet specific targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy consumption reduction and renewable energy procurement. Since 2007, state agencies have made significant progress, meeting the 25 percent greenhouse gas reduction target, generating 15 percent of electricity demand from onsite renewable and combined heat and power systems, and reducing heating oil use by 72 percent.

“We are excited and honored to receive this grant,” said Dr. Valerie Roberson, president of Roxbury Community College. “This funding will enable us to become a community leader in clean and renewable energy.  Long-term, this project will provide a sustainable solution to our energy needs, thereby saving money and improving the student experience.  We are thankful for this tremendous opportunity.”

“The new solar canopy will help the City of Boston achieve its sustainability goal for institutions like Roxbury Community College, resulting in cleaner, low-carbon fuel sources,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “We hope it serves as an example for others to invest in similar renewable technologies.”

“As a Commonwealth, it’s critical we continue to invest in robust and renewable energy plans that include solar and other natural resources,” said State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston). “I’m proud of the initiative RCC has taken to reduce electricity usage in their facilities, and to lead the way for other institutions in identifying opportunities to shift our reliance on costly, unsustainable energy sources. It’s my hope that RCC will leverage the resources from this DOER grant to expand both student services and access to innovative technologies.”

“I am thrilled to see Roxbury Community College leading neighborhood institutions in the shift to sustainable energy use and look forward to seeing solar photovoltaic canopies installed in RCC’s parking lot,” said State Representative Elizabeth Malia (D-Jamaica Plain).

“As the State Representative for Roxbury, and a strong supporter of innovation, clean energy, clean air, and sustainability, I am excited to see Roxbury Community College bring solar energy to the community by receiving this grant,” said State Representative Gloria L. Fox (D-Roxbury).

王健林現身哈佛談萬達國際化 800座位Burden廳爆滿 逾百人向隅

萬達集團董事長王健林(圖中)昨(29)日下午現身哈佛大學商學院。聞風而來的聽眾不但把800多個座位的Burden廳坐滿了,還有至少幾十人徘徊在大樓外,遲遲不捨離去。
哈佛大學費正清中心工作人員表示,王健林此行來訪,算是講課,談“萬達國際化方式(Go Global, the Wanda Way)
王健林昨日在會場花了大約15分鐘談萬達集團的國際化步,其餘時間用來回答問題。
一名女生問萬達集團進美國發展酒店業有什麼優勢時,今年5月才以身家381億美元成為中國新首富的王健林回以“有錢”,引起台下一陣哄笑。

在回答習近平親屬曾購買萬達集團股票的問題時,王健林藉著當年創業融資不易,敲了不下70、80扇大門,才有1家回應的巧妙回答,贏得座中許多有創業經驗者的稱許。(圖與文:菊子)

“麻州挑戰”告別2015獎16團隊 四分之一華人創辦

(本報記者菊子波士頓報導)號稱全世界最大的創業加速器“麻州挑戰(Mass Challenge)10月28日晚發出150萬元獎勵金,宣佈16家公司獲獎。其中至少4家由華人創辦。
這4組團隊分別為從昆蟲取得蛋白做脆片(chip)等食品,王薇等人創辦的“六食品(Six Foods)“,來自台灣,都在麻省理工學院就讀的賴才達,芮裕馨,黃婷筠所創辦的”新鮮水(Aqua Fresco)“,在哈佛大學及麻省理工學院合辦的醫療科學及科技項目中唸博士的李想和夥伴創辦,在“創啟未來”大賽中得過獎的偵察(Recon),以及在紐英崙中華資訊網路協會創業俱樂部受過培訓,劉延豐和傅昀等人創辦的“電視螢幕(TVision)“。
“波士頓創新(BostInno)”指出,今年的“麻州挑戰”尤其值得受人矚目,因為44%的創新團隊中,都至少有一名女性共同創辦人。
“麻州挑戰”今年5月時宣佈,在來自22國的2200個創業團隊中,有128個團隊獲選成為“麻州挑戰”培訓對象,分別在倫敦,波士頓接受為期4個月的培訓,輔導者包括曾任支付寶(Paypal)波士頓營運長的張紹遠(David Chang)。
        28日晚,不下1500人擠進波士頓會議展覽中心(BCEC),在麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker),波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)聯袂出席致詞,牛頓市市長華倫賽堤(Warren Setti)應邀頒獎的隆重中,情緒高昂的見證其中打入決賽的26家公司,各自闡述他們的產品。
            其中16家獲得最後獎勵。BiorasisEstrenon,Hyliion ,以及在印度的Sanitation and Health Rights等4 家公司,各獲得10萬元,包括前述四家華人創辦公司在內的其餘12家公司各獲5萬元獎金。
            BiorasisLaunch Pad Medical這兩家公司還贏得CASIS 和波音太空站研究項目合頒的50萬元獎金。
            當年和紐英崙中華資訊網路協會創辦人陳五福,以及許基康一起創辦瀑布通訊公司(Cascade),如今在麻省理工學院捐設了德許龐帝中心(Deshpande)的印度裔企業家Gururaj Deshpande,也出席頒獎,還和新到任的加拿大駐波士頓總領事David N. Alward一起勉勵年輕人。
            在麻州州長、波士頓市長之外的致詞者是最近在波士頓備受爭議的日常體育幻想公司“徵招王(Draft King)“創辦人羅賓斯(Jason Robins)。他在會中強調,波士頓市是個最好的創立消費者科技公司地點,他不會考慮遷往其他城市。
            麻州挑戰的波士頓執行總經理(MD)史考特貝利(Scott Bailey)表示,過去45個月以來,128個團隊在500 多名輔導者協助下,都有極大進步,分別獲得23百萬元到2500萬元的資助,絕大部份的團隊人員都成倍增長。下一期的麻州挑戰預定明年一,二月開始。
            麻州挑戰創辦人哈松(John Harthorne)會後透露,該機構在英國倫敦設立的分支機構,已順利舉辦第一次的“倫敦挑戰”,發岀50萬英鎊獎金。今年將正式推出“以色列挑戰”。明年,該機構將繼續和亞洲各國協商,預計2017年時,會陸續和新加坡,韓國達成合作協議。

圖片說明:

            麻州挑戰的波士頓執行總經理(MD)史考特貝利(Scott Bailey(右一)等人頒獎給李想(右二)的偵察(Recon)“團隊。(菊子攝)

            麻州挑戰營運長皮耶瑞(Desmond Pieri)(右起)等人頒獎給傅昀,劉延豐,Dan Schiffron。(菊子攝)

            來自台灣的賴才達(右起),芮裕馨,黃婷筠創辦”新鮮水(Aqua Fresco)“得獎。(菊子攝)

            創辦人之一的王薇代表“六食品(Six Foods)“領獎。(菊子攝)


            麻州挑戰創辦人哈松(John Harthorne) 透露,2017年該機構將在亞洲落地。(菊子攝)

波士頓亞美電影節選片更加多元化 曹育倫獲獎

波士頓亞美電影節創辦人甄翠嬿(左)送電影節T恤給導演
Benson Lee(右)。(周菊子攝)
波士頓亞美電影節創辦人甄翠嬿(左起)在電影節開幕時訪問”首爾
搜尋“一片導演
Benson Lee,以及片中雙胞胎主角。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導)波士頓亞美電影節今年(2015)很亞裔,7部劇情片,20 部短片,以韓,印,柬埔寨等多元亞裔為重心。華裔製作的紀錄片“我在中國的生活”,以及短片“好萊塢之東”出現全場售罄熱況。
            波士頓亞美電影節由甄翠嬿創辦,迄今仍為“亞裔文化資源中心(AARW)“麾下的一項活動,但自有一組工作人員,每年都有不少熱愛電影的義工加入。
            今年選映的影片,要不是在紐英崙首映,就是在波士頓首映,對大波士頓人來說,幾乎全是新片。
            其中的“我在中國的生活”,以及短片“好萊塢之東”,依序是由在本地長大,現已移居加州的伍少文,以及目前仍住在波士頓的曹育倫製作,同一天放映,一早就門票售罄。
            開幕片“首爾搜尋(Seoul Searching)“在劍橋市的布瑞托戲院上映。導演Benson Lee和影片中的雙胞胎Uatchet Jin JuchNekhebet Kum Juch 博得熱烈掌聲。
波士頓亞美電影節創辦人甄翠嬿(左起)和“好萊塢之東”的製片及演員,Chris Catch
電影節共同主任陳曉瑩等人在電影節海報前合影。(周菊子攝)
            Benson Lee 在影片放映後的問答時間中坦言,拍電影真的不容易,這部片的劇本在他腦海中迴盪了16年,才終於有機會拍成影片。找適合演員,也歷盡艱辛。片中的雙胞胎是他在影片要開拍之前的一星期,才透過網路,從大波士頓找到的。當晚看過影片的人,都非常感動。
            “我在中國的生活”是伍少文陪他父親伍堯經回中國探親的移民生涯追憶,既有“少小離家老大回,鄉音未改鬢毛衰“ 的感嘆,也有親人團聚,舊情依然的溫馨。
  “我在中國的生活“一片導演伍少文(右)和弟弟伍少武(左)聯袂出席電影節。(周菊子攝)
            “好萊塢之東“則是曹育倫和善寫電影劇本的合作夥伴Chris策劃,拍攝,剪輯成30分鐘的短片,主旨在描繪醉心電影的亞裔,在進軍好萊塢時,幾乎無法避免“刻板印象(stereotype) “魔掌,能夠拿到的角色,經常是男的得會功夫,女的作為伴遊。
            曹育倫事後在臉書上透露,“好萊塢之東”一片不但讓他在兩個不同的電影節中贏得最佳演員獎,該片還獲得塔薩爾(Tulsa)美國電影傑的最佳劇本獎。
            同晚的另一部短片,“答案D亞裔(D. Asian)“,最是引起全場爆笑。影片描述一名猶太裔小男孩在考試卷上填寫族裔欄時,把自己的族裔填為亞裔,老師悄悄把他叫過去,溫言軟語的告訴他寫錯了自己的族裔時,他義正詞嚴的回應表示,以色列座落在亞洲之內,他當然應該是亞裔。
波士頓亞美電影節共同主任甄翠嬿(左一),陳曉瑩(右一)和“我在中國的生活“一片
導演伍少文(右四),其父伍堯經(其左三)等人在影片放映後合影。(周菊子攝)
伍堯經(左起)、伍少文兩父子在影片放映後,和親友在海報前合影留念。
(周菊子攝)
            波士頓亞美電影節兩名共同主任,甄翠嬿、陳曉瑩在電影節手冊上的歡迎詞中指出,今年是第七屆波士頓亞美電影節,也是1995年移民及國籍法通過的50週年,他們特地把“家在美國(Home in America) “訂為為電影節主題。
            電影節的開幕片是以韓國文化夏令營為背景的喜劇片“首爾搜尋“,大片包括贏得奧斯卡獎的“吳漢潤博士的殺戮戰場(The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor )” ,以及閉幕片,由Meera Simhan演的“美國印度小姐(Miss India America)“。
            甄翠嬿透露,今年11月中,將再邀請“我在中國的生活”一片來波士頓放映。



“好萊塢之東”一片放映後,演員Danni Wang(左起),Chris Catch,曹育倫等人合影。