臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座來到波士頓

波士頓2016年美東地區臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座

高雄餐旅大學陳正忠副教授及勇氣廚房主廚李建達先生於5月23日中午從紐約來到波士頓。這也是2016年美東地區臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座的最後一站。主辦單位全球華商經貿聯誼會波士頓分會會長郭競儒與協辦新英崙華人餐飲業協會會長梅錫銳在華埠龍鳳餐廳為兩位廚藝老師接風並與幾位餐飲業者餐敘。餐敘中熱烈的討論目前波士頓地區餐廳經營及廚師聘雇等問題。

5月24日起將會陸續到僑營臺灣美食標章得獎餐廳一品香、珠媽廚房餐廳及龍鳳餐廳做輔導及諮商。5月26日晚上6:20將與龍鳳餐廳廚師們一起辦理晚宴，據陳正忠副教授說他將利用波士頓當地的食材及該餐廳的菜單略做改變，如此也讓當地廚師比較容易學習並無食材取得的困擾。（波士頓華僑文教中心提供）

Baker-Polito Administration Secures Year-Round Insurance Flexibility for Small Businesses

Baker-Polito Administration Secures Year-Round Insurance Flexibility for Small Businesses

Decision Prevents Disruption, Cost Increases for 80,000 Employers, 470,000 Employees

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker announced today Massachusetts has received permission from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to continue to allow small businesses to buy insurance year-round, maintaining state-based reforms and preventing disruption and cost increases for over 80,000 employers and over 470,000 employees.

Today, 90 percent of small employers in Massachusetts’ merged insurance market – composed of individuals and small-business groups – buy their coverage during a month other than January. Under new federal rules, these employers would have needed to switch to calendar-year enrollment – a switch that the Commonwealth estimates could increase employees’ health cost-sharing by up to 23 percent.

“For over a decade now, the Commonwealth’s small businesses have depended on market flexibility in making the best decisions for their success, growth and employees,” said Governor Baker. “We are pleased to reach this important decision with the federal government, maintaining this flexibility and allowing small businesses to consider their unique needs in choosing what time of year they purchase coverage for their employees.”

Under the agreement brokered in response to a request issued by Massachusetts officials from the Massachusetts Health Connector Authority and Division of Insurance, the Commonwealth can maintain existing practices in its merged market. Businesses in Massachusetts can continue to renew or purchase health insurance for employees at any time during the year, and health insurance carriers can continue refreshing small-group rates on a quarterly basis to serve those businesses. Through detailed discussions regarding potential areas of state flexibility, there was clear stakeholder consensus that these current practices are essential to maintaining Massachusetts’ robust health insurance market.

In 2007, as part of the state’s comprehensive health reform process, Massachusetts merged its individual and small-group markets. Rates for individuals are set once per year, starting January 1. For small groups, carriers can update premium rates on a quarterly basis. Continuing the state’s unique structure was determined important because it promotes affordability for individuals while maintaining familiar enrollment cycles for businesses.

The Commonwealth and CMS determined that the current structure of the merged market satisfies the Affordable Care Act’s risk pool and enrollment requirements, and provides an equivalent level of consumer protection.

REP. TED LIEU APPLAUDS AAPI CIVIL RIGHTS LANGUAGE

REP. TED LIEU APPLAUDS AAPI CIVIL RIGHTS LANGUAGE

Washington - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in light of the House Appropriations Committee markup of the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017.

During the Full Committee markup, the Committee adopted a manager’s amendment on voice vote to include report language requested by Congressman Lieu and Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for an investigation by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General into allegations of profiling based on race and national origin.  These allegations were recently covered by 60 Minutes.

The next step for the CJS Appropriations Bill will be consideration on the House Floor.

“I am pleased that language to address racial profiling that I have been pushing for has been included in today’s markup.  I commend Ranking Member Mike Honda, an iconic champion of Asian American and Pacific  Islander civil rights, for his tireless work in addressing a deeply troubling issue impacting  the AAPI community.   Allegations of racial profiling should never be dismissed without investigation, and I support the Committee’s call for the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General to provide a detailed assessment to Congress of recent cases involving the unjust targeting of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.”

Report Language included in the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017

The Committee has heard concerns that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been profiled by Department of Justice investigators and prosecutors on the basis of race and national origin, including in espionage and trade secret cases. The Committee expects the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General to assess whether there exists a pattern or practice of using race, national origin, and other civil rights classifications to target Federal employees and other Americans; report on any allegations of civil rights or civil liberties violations committed by DOJ employees in its semiannual reports to Congress as required by Section 1001 of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107–56); and if such patterns or practices are found to exist, to describe steps the Department has taken to address them.

新英格蘭台商會高球賽孫子明組奪冠

經文處長賴銘琪（中）頒獎給冠軍隊。（台商會提供）

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會主辦，新英格蘭台灣青商會協辦的「第十五屆台商盃慈善高爾夫球公開賽」，5 月21日在坎頓鎮 Ponkapoag高爾夫球場舉行 。孫子明組奪得冠軍。

今年的這場比賽，除捐款給慈濟功德會，還慶祝中華民國第十四任總統蔡英文與副總統陳建仁520就職。

（右起）李庚仁，趙復興，繼美，趙研田以低於標準桿9桿獲亞軍。
（台商會提供）

新英格蘭的今年五月，天氣常出人意料之外，這天卻風和日麗，溫度宜人，正好揮桿。包括駐波士頓台北文化辦事處處長賴銘琪親率隊伍，有16隊從18到84歲的共64名華洋球友，老少中青齊聚一堂，切搓球技，互通商機 。

台商會榮譽會長蔡坤喜今年再度負責籌劃高爾夫球比賽，難得邀到連獲兩屆新英格蘭業餘高球賽冠軍的25歲好手Chad McGarry參賽，當天揮出幾近職業水準的305碼長距，讓在場球友大開眼界。

（右起）蔡高進、金雪松，吳晟與，林展輝以低於標準桿8桿獲季軍，
台商會會長許欽俊（中）頒獎。（台商會提供）

蔡坤喜剛滿三歲的小孫兒在球友出發比賽前，幫忙遞上瓶裝水，點心袋，是會場中最溫馨畫面之一。

當天另一亮點乃是剛滿三歲的蔡坤喜小孫兒在賽前他幫助提供瓶裝水和點心袋給球友們，大家都感覺很窩心，不時傳來陣陣笑聲。

台商會林鳳池透露。這個小寶寶滿月時，適逢本商會舉辦高球賽，他的爸媽就推著娃娃車帶他到場替阿公加油打氣。這次是他第三次來台商高球賽助陣湊熱鬧！

比賽當天的另一亮點是其中一隊，平均年齡81歲的美國退伍軍人。他們都打過越戰，曾到台灣渡假，並留有深刻印象。蔡坤喜醫師表示，這四人和他都是Weston Leo Martin球場的早鳥會員，每次一起揮桿，就覺得自己還很年輕。

當天比賽結果，冠軍隊為比標準桿低10桿的孫子明，John Lee， Michael Corricelli 與 Chad McGarry組，亞軍隊為低於標準桿9桿的李庚仁，蔣繼美，趙研田與趙復興隊，季軍為低於標準桿8桿的蔡高進、林展輝、吳晟與金雪松這隊。其他獎項還有，女子最長距離獎Denice Callahan、女子離洞最近獎Ki Ki 張 、男子最長距離獎 Chad McGarry，以及男子離洞最近獎趙研田。

比賽結束後，全體球員到Framingham的荷花苑餐廳晚宴。主持人蔡坤喜代表商會會長與全體理事感謝所有參賽球員的支持。

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh Addresses Bunker Hill Community College Graduates

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh Addresses Bunker Hill Community College Graduates

BOSTON, May 21, 2016—Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh delivered the keynote address today at the 42nd Commencement exercises of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) to a full house of graduates, family and friends.  A record-breaking 1696 graduates received degrees and certificates, the highest number in the College’s history.

BHCC President Pam Eddinger conducted the College’s traditional “ritual of gratitude” in which graduates thank all who have helped them through college. She praised the graduating class, saying “I admire your courage, your resilience, your determination.  Pass those good things on.  Lead others.  Our world has a long way to go until everyone is on that path you paved.”

Introducing Walsh, Eddinger praised the Mayor as a powerful force in public higher education. “Mayor Walsh’s priorities of economic equity and opportunity, data-driven government, holistic planning to prepare Boston for the future, and closing the achievement gap are aligned with the urban mission of the College,” she said.

"Congratulations to the graduates of Bunker Hill Community College on achieving this significant milestone, which represents years of hard work on your journey towards success in the workplace, in life and in your future," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Each of you may have taken a unique path to this degree, but what you have in common is that you earned it. You have shown the grit and determination we need to succeed as a city and as a country, and I wish you all the best in the exciting steps you take in fulfilling your next goal." 

At the ceremony the College also recognized Walsh with the President’s Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor the College confers on a member of the community. The College honored Mayor Walsh’s work in increasing economic development and his commitment to economic inclusion, calling his work with The Equity Agenda, Imagine Boston 2030, Housing a Changing City, and the C40 Global Climate Leadership Group “visionary and inspiring.”

Also honored at the event was Amparo Hernandez-Folch, a Professor in the Mathematics Department. She has served Bunker Hill Community College for 28 years. Although she retired from BHCC in December 2015, Professor Hernandez-Folch remains engaged at the College, serving BHCC and its students. “Her passion for community college education and dedication to the success of BHCC students leaves a lasting legacy,” said William J. Walczak, Chair of the Bunker Hill Community College Board of Trustees. Hernandez-Folch received the Trustees’ Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment and service to the College. 

The mayor’s speech was recorded on Facebook Live and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/BHCCBoston.

波士頓經文處辦酒會慶祝蔡英文就任總統

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦（右二、三）和波士頓僑務委員梅錫銳（右起），蔣宗壬，

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊一起舉杯祝賀新總統蔡英文上任。（周菊子攝）

                  駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦（中）和波士頓

                  僑務委員梅錫銳（右），蔣宗壬（左）攜手切蛋糕。（周菊子攝）

            （Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導）駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處5月20日傍晚，在紐英崙中華公所舉辦慶祝中華民國第14任總統蔡英文就職酒會，二百多名僑胞出席，多名紐英崙政要馳電致賀。

            慶祝會由紐英崙中華公所中英文書記翁宇才，朱蘇珊主持，以祝願新總統蔡英文上任後可為人民帶來更多幸福、快樂，祝願中華民國國運昌隆，自由民主萬歲，播唱中美國歌拉開序幕。

麻州眾議員黃子安（右），陳德基（左）送上表揚狀，賀狀給

經文處長賴銘琪。（周菊子攝）

            麻州眾議員黃子安，陳德基，牛頓市議員約翰萊斯等人一一送上賀函。

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，兩名波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，梅錫銳，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等人，接著分別以中、英文，廣東話致詞。

            賴銘琪感謝眾人出席，概要介紹蔡英文，指今年1月台灣人民選出中華民國有史以來第一位女性總統，全無顯赫家世，但學有所成，獲有英美名校碩博士學位，還是時代雜誌選出的100位全世界最有影響力人士中的第19

波士頓僑胞出席慶祝蔡英文就任總統酒會。（周菊子攝）

名，排名在美國前國務卿希拉蕊，俄國總理普京之前。

            賴銘琪還從個人角度提到蔡英文喜愛動物，支持動物權，養有兩隻貓。

           

經文處副處長陳銘俊出席慶祝蔡英文就任總統酒會。（周菊子攝）

以廣東話致詞時，賴銘琪先感謝僑團的支持，繼而期許僑胞把青天白日滿地紅旗幟掛出來，因為那代表了國父孫中山的自由民主理想，正是台灣如今所維護的價值觀。他也再度強調，只要是支持中華民國，支持自由民主，都是經文處的服務對象。

            梅錫銳表示，他剛從台灣回來，在那兒的18天期間，看到台灣的繁榮、安定，治安良好。他認為沒去過的人，都應該去親自體會一下台灣是多好的地方。

紐英崙中華公所中英文書記翁宇才，朱蘇珊主持慶祝酒會。（周菊子攝）

            蔣宗壬透露，籌備慶祝蔡英文就職活動時，有不少人質疑，但他認為台灣是民主自由國家，二千多萬人選出來的總統，不分藍綠，都應等4年以後再論好壞，只要是能夠讓人民生活得更好，就是好總統。

            陳家驊表示真誠祝賀新總統上任，希望所有中國人，無論在世界上的哪一個角落，都能夠享受到民主自由。

慶祝蛋糕。

            致詞後，經文處長賴銘琪等人舉杯邀出席僑胞同飲香檳慶祝。會場上還特別準備有兩個精緻裝飾了青天白日滿地紅旗幟與鞭炮的蛋糕。

            出席活動的僑胞中，最特別的是一群來自台灣的年青人。他們大多數人從未踏進過紐英崙中華公所大樓，但為慶祝台灣的新總統上任，都趕來祝賀，為自己心中認同，歸屬，所來自的地方，獻上祝福。

台灣民俗藝師王宏隆（右二），鄭秀春（左一），洪若葳（右一）等人
送上祝賀畫作給經文處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦。（周菊子攝）

來自台灣的年輕專業人士康麗雪（左起），哈佛公衛學院台灣
同學會會長林承寬，訪問學生楊紹維歡喜出席慶祝會。（周菊子攝）

波克萊台灣商會前會長劉秀春（左起），作家張鳳，
陳玉瑛，池元真（右一）等人出席酒會。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙中華公所英文書記朱蘇珊（左）歡迎李氏公所主席到會。
（周菊子攝）

僑胞們在慶祝儀式後享用大慶樓（Tiki Island restaurant）的餐點。 (周菊子攝)

黃周麗桃（右）和伍鍾美貞。

出席慶祝酒會的來自台灣年輕人和波士頓華僑文教中心主任
郭大文（前左一）合影留念。（周菊子攝）

麻州牛頓元極舞聯誼會會長鄭玉春夫婦。 (周菊子攝)

紐英崙養生舞聯誼會成員和華僑文教中心主任郭大文合影。 (周菊子攝)

大波士頓中華文化協會前會長冼鳳明（左）恭喜波士頓
僑務委員蔣宗壬。 (周菊子攝)

紐英崙李氏公所慶祝雙親節 160人歡聚

 5月1日，紐英崙李氏公所舉辦慶祝雙親節午餐會，有160人参加，誕開16席在新月宮酒家舉行。今年特別，有位宗親隱名捐出現金和數隻鮮雞抽獎，令餐會增添熱烈氣氛。餐會後，有興趣留下參加2016年慶祝雙親節的倩影之宗親們，齊集中華貿易大樓廣場拍大合照留念。  (李奇舜波士頓圖文報導）