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星期四, 4月 30, 2015

創業中國大賽波士頓賽區選出六隊 六月赴上海決賽

2015年北美”創業中國“四月廿四日下午,在麻省理工學院舉行波士頓分賽區複賽。十四個團隊路演三個半小時後,六個團隊打入決賽,將於六月廿七日到上海嘉定參加總決賽。
這場比賽由上海育成中心和嘉定創投聯合主辦,麻省理工學院中國創新與創業論壇(MIT-CHIEF承辦。
創業中國組委會負責這一比賽的李媛表示,共有三十多隊申請參賽,他們從中選出十四隊進入複賽,當天再由六名裁判當場打分,選出六隊進入總決賽。
複賽當天的評委,包括中美企業創新中心總經理祁陪,青年光耀科技董事長謝雷杰,賽默飛規管產品主任欒甡,惠通金屬集團總經理王維,嘉定國資副總經理茅健,波士頓大學醫學院教授林鴻煌等人。
經過三個半小時的展示,答問後,曾在麻省理工學院中國創新創業大賽中獲獎的葛志飛,以“Cam Med貼附式柔性泵”這項目,和汪楨的“氣體染物監測平台”,王璞的“Vibronix血管光聲成像”,韓壁丞的“BrainCo腦電可穿戴設備,孫瑞的”智能無線輸液滴速及氣泡檢測預警系統“,以及王韜戎的”手術室智能信息平台“等六個項目,打入決賽。
其他參加複賽的項目包括王鑫拓的“水產養殖的水下機械人”,張宜業的“圖像感測面板“,王若謙的”智能溯源機械人“,吳檸的Medicbnb跨國醫療的醫院選擇平台“,陳莉洋的“Ucare 雲端老人安養中心資訊管理系統”,陸世龍的“景安唾液腫瘤篩查”,陳航的“Belleds智能LED節能燈泡“,周振宇的”eXlouge語言教學交換平台“。
祁培會後表示,“創業中國”選擇波士頓做賽區之一,顯示中國的創業圈也開始關注波士頓,甚至對早期科技項目也感興趣了。他認為波士頓和矽谷之別,在於波士頓已開始探索,嘗試技術轉化結合創業的投資模式。部分原因是波士頓的高校資源豐富。
主辦方指出,“創業中國”是上海市扶持的海外僑胞回國創業活動,由上海嘉定先進技術創新與育成中心,嘉定創投主辦,今年還有育仁投資,嘉定孵化,香港科技大學創業中心,香港科技園,麻省理工學院中國創新創業論壇等合作承辦。比賽地點,也在上海之外增加了波士頓及香港。四月廿四日在波士頓舉行複賽後,將於五月廿五日舉辦香港賽區複賽,打入決賽的個隊伍,將於六月廿四日參加第十八期華僑華人回國創業班;西門子/殼牌訓練營,六月廿七日再到上海嘉定做總決賽。一,二,三等獎各一名,依序可獲獎金人民幣十萬,五萬,二萬元,並有機會獲得主辦單位最高一百五十萬元的天使投資。
“創業中國”大賽之前已辦過兩屆,共有247各項目參賽,選手來自12個國家,地區,迄今已有20多個項目落戶嘉定,另有多個項目經由大賽獲得五十萬到一千萬元人民幣不等的融資。

圖片說明:

            麻省理工學院中國創業創新論壇今年的主席是譚驗(右),當天在會場協調。(菊子攝)

            評審們,右起王維,謝雷杰,欒甡,茅健,祁培,林鴻煌等人仔細聆聽項目展示。(菊子攝)


            會場。(菊子攝)

星期三, 4月 29, 2015

Boston Housing Authority submits plan to increase housing opportunities for elderly applicants in public housing

Boston Housing Authority submits plan to increase housing opportunities for elderly applicants in public housing

Boston- The Boston Housing Authority submitted a new plan which would increase the elderly resident percentage in its elderly/disabled public housing developments from 70 to 80 percent today.  Called a “Designated Housing Plan,” by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the plan dictates the demographic make-up of elderly and non-elderly disabled residents of the BHA’s elderly/disabled developments.

“We look forward to HUD’s review and approval of this plan,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle.  “With more and more elders in need of affordable housing, we want to insure that we are providing Boston’s seniors with affordable housing options that they need and deserve.”

The BHA currently has 36 public housing developments throughout Boston that specifically house elderly and non-elderly disabled residents.  Those developments have been operating since 2007 under a plan which designates each site as 70% elderly and 30% non-elderly disabled.  BHA’s new plan would change that ratio to 80% elderly and 20% non-elderly disabled.  The BHA would also provide 300 new Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers to non-elderly disabled applicants.  The BHA also houses many additional non-elderly disabled applicants throughout its various housing programs.  Approval of this Plan will bring the BHA’s percentages of elderly and non-elderly disabled residents in designated buildings in line with those of other housing authorities throughout the Commonwealth.

The new plan must be reviewed and approved by HUD prior to implementation.  Seniors represent Boston’s fastest-growing and most economically challenged group according to the Boston’s housing report, Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030.  The BHA’s plan is consistent with the growing recognition of the need to provide additional housing opportunities for the elderly population, as highlighted by a recent research report from the City of Boston’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly and the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston.

The BHA’s Designated Housing Plan may be viewed on the BHA’s website.

AARP Foundation Establishes Relief Fund for Victims of Nepal Earthquake

AARP Foundation Establishes Relief Fund
for Victims of Nepal Earthquake

AARP and AARP Foundation to match contributions
dollar for dollar up to $225,000



WASHINGTON, April 29, 2015 – To respond to the immediate needs of older people in the region, AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson announced that AARP Foundation has created a relief fund to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nepal – especially the 600,000 people over 60 who are expected to have been affected. The fund will help provide aid to the victims of this disaster. AARP and AARP Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar contributions up to $225,000.

“The magnitude of the crisis in Nepal is almost beyond comprehension, and we know AARP members want to help,” Ryerson said. “AARP Foundation will direct donations collected through the AARP Foundation Nepal Relief Fund to international relief organizations to deliver aid to victims of this disaster, with 100% of all funds raised going to organizations operating on the ground in the region – every dollar will make a difference.”

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Nepal and neighboring countries last Saturday struck with devastating force, killing thousands of people, injuring thousands more, and causing widespread destruction. There is immediate need for older Nepalese and their families to have access to shelter, food, water and medical attention.

To donate and learn more about the AARP Foundation Nepal Relief Fund please visit:www.aarp.org/disasterrelief


About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more atwww.aarpfoundation.org.

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announces Two New Universal Partnership (UP) Program Grants

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announces Two New Universal Partnership (UP) Program Grants

Waltham, MA –The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) today announced two grants through the agency’s Universal Partnerships (UP) Program.  The grants were awarded to PNPResearch Corporation for a collaboration with BBI Solutions in Cadiff, United Kingdom and to Riparian Pharmaceuticals for a collaboration with Hybrigenics Services in Paris, France.
As the global leader in life sciences, Massachusetts has a unique ability to collaborate with companies in other parts of the world to improve health care through innovation,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I’m excited to see the results and the impact of these international partnerships.”
Based in Drury, Massachusetts, PNPRC utilizes plasmonic nanoparticles to detect and corroborate a new biomarker for lung and ovarian cancers. PNPRC is collaborating with BBI Solutions, a Welsh company with expertise in preparing one of the key reagents needed for the new test. At this time, there is an unfulfilled medical need for biomarkers and improved treatments for lung and ovarian cancers. Once developed, the new test could lead to improved detection and outcome of these challenging diseases. The grant funding, which will go to PNPRC to support the collaboration, totals $198,400.
“We could not hope to achieve our goal of understanding the cellular immune response to ovarian cancer without an international partnership with BBI Solutions of Cardiff, UK,” said Petra B. Krauledat Ph.D., Founder of PNPResearch Corporation.  “BBI is a pioneer in plasmonic nanoparticle probe diagnostics and a natural fit with our Boston- based effort, which leverages collaborations with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. International cooperation in the life sciences is essential, not only for innovative product development but also for the creation of export markets via the effective deployment of medical diagnostic tools worldwide.”

Riparian Pharmaceuticals, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, uses unique biological screening to identify novel small molecules protective in atherosclerotic vascular disease among other disorders. Hybrigenics, the company collaborating with Riparian, has complimentary expertise in yeast screening technology and conducting an unbiased proteome-wide search for the protein binding partners of Riparian’s lead compound. The work of this partnership focuses on the development of a new medicine in a therapeutic area where many pharmaceutical companies have abandoned research and development of new drugs. Riparian will receive $200,000 in funding from the MLSC.

 “Riparian is discovering small molecules therapeutics to promote vascular health and provide a new therapeutic approach to cardiovascular and diabetic vascular diseases among others,” said Will Adams, CSO and co-founder of Riparian Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “This MLSC UP grant will allow Riparian to leverage Hybrigenics Services’ expertise in probing protein interactions and provide new biological insight into our discovery efforts.”
Last summer, at the 2014 BIO International Convention, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced the launch of the UP Program, a new international program to provide grant funding to support Massachusetts companies who are forming R&D collaborations with life science organizations throughout the world. The creation of the UP Program furthers the MLSC’s efforts to create global partnerships between life science organizations to enable scientific and commercial breakthroughs and to fuel economic development in the Commonwealth. The UP program enhances the MLSC’s international program portfolio by offering Massachusetts companies more collaboration opportunities.
“No country can address the challenges of life sciences discovery and development alone,” said Susan Windham Bannister, Ph.D. President & CEO of MLSC. “The challenges we face in trying to improve global health are too great. The Center's Universal Partnership Program enables Massachusetts companies to partner with colleagues around the world to collaboratively address health challenges. The partnerships between Massachusetts-based PNPResearch Corporation and Riparian Pharma with British company BBI Solutions and Hybrigenics Services of Paris are great examples of the type of collaboration that we hope to encourage with UP.”
For the inaugural year of the UP Program, the MLSC will award grants ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $200,000 to selected Massachusetts companies. Applications will be accepted year round and an ongoing review will allow for a streamlined process. An eligible project will focus on a milestone within a R&D collaboration and will consist of one Massachusetts company and an organization in a non-U.S. geography, which could include a company, an academic institution, a hospital or a research institute.
For more information about the Universal Partnership Program, visit www.masslifesciences.com/programs/up.

新英格蘭中文教師協會五月三日兩場活動

新英格蘭地區中文教師協會將於五月三日(週日)在塔芙茨大學舉行春季中小學教師(K-12)研習班,以及“世界漢語教學與中國文化”座談會。
新英格蘭地區中文教師協會成立于2012年,現任會長是塔芙茨大學的王命全老師,副會長是布朗大學的胡龍華老師。這次的研討會,由塔夫茨大學中文部, 羅德島大學孔子學院贊助。
五月三日上午九點起,將舉辦中小學教師研習班。第一部分由麻省理工大學中文部陳彤老師主講“電腦在中文教學中的運用”,第二部分由高中中文教師陳毅星、汪剛柳、朱偉憶共同主持:多媒體科技教學交流。
五月三日下午一點半起,舉行研討會。南京大學程愛民教授率領的中方漢語教學專家學者,將與新英格蘭地區各大學教授,講師們,包括何文潮、羅雲、何寶璋、董樺、崔頌人、王志軍、陳彤、Amber Navarre、李愛民等分別主講,目有“漢語教學中的文化交流”,“漢語教學中的課程及課本”,“漢語課堂教學中的科技和方法”,“漢語語法和漢字的教學”等。
兩場會議將分別為學員提供5個DPDs學分。報名費會員$10,非會員$20。上午中小學教師研習班限收32人,先報先得。下午座談會報名日期截止四月二十九號。
        報名可上網,http://neclta.org/programs/workshop-registration,或http://neclta.org/conference/TCLT8-registration

波士頓經文處感謝僑界餐會 江宜樺、賴銘琪獻歌

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處廿七日晚在龍鳳酒樓席開十二桌的感謝餐會,為大波士頓僑界乙未羊年春宴畫下句點。總統府資政江宜樺不但出席,還大方獻歌,讓出席僑胞大感高興。
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪,兩名波士頓僑領馬滌凡、梅錫銳,總統府資政江宜樺等人在會中一一發言,代表台灣政府向出席的各僑團首長表達感謝之意。
賴銘琪的講話,強調感謝,還用廣東話發表了一段頗長感言。他表示,從去年九月來波士頓上任處長一職迄今,出席了不下二百多場中西僑團,組織的活動,在交流,拜會中,不但體會到僑界的堅定支持自由,民主台灣,也感受僑界為波士頓當年曾匡助國父孫中山創建民國這歷史淵源所有的驕傲。他笑說今後要把歌練得更好,聊以向僑界表達謝意。
目前在哈佛大學費正清中心做訪問學者的台灣總統府資政江宜樺,當晚侃言他和僑界頗有淵源,和新英格蘭也關係不淺。
1960年出生的江宜樺,從耶魯大學取得政治學博士學位後,回台灣執教,在台灣大學內歷任政治系教授,社會科學院副院長,學校教務長等職位;從政後,又歷任研考委主任委員,內政部長,行政院院長,卸任前曾被視為繼馬英九之後的下一位總統人選。
江宜樺透露,他和海外僑界的關係,除了當年做學生時,僑胞很照顧之外,在擔任研考會主委時,為研議是否應該裁撤僑委會,或併進外交部,到海外巡迴十天,拜訪六個城市,聽取僑界意見,最後向總統提出不要裁撤僑委會的建議。由於那段時間的時相往還,他和時任僑委會委員長的吳英毅,也成為好友。
江宜樺和新英格蘭的關係,不但是因為他自己從耶魯大學畢業,更因為他妻子李淑珍是從羅德島州布朗大學畢業的。他們兩人在新英格蘭住了五年。如今又再來波士頓進修半年,預定八月後再轉往史丹福大學進修半年。
紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦當晚為履行邦克丘社區學院董事會董事,頒發獎學金的職務,才姍姍來遲。
        廿七日晚的感謝餐會,在致詞後歌聲不斷。經文處處長賴銘琪以一曲“上海灘”後,江宜樺也獻唱“天龍八部”主題曲“兩忘煙水裏”。
            當晚因賴銘琪與波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文都是宗親的昭倫公所,特地自己買了一桌,參加聚會,聯袂上台唱歌的為宗親造勢。

圖片說明:

            波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文(右起),張小慧,經文處副處長陳銘俊,波士頓僑務委員梅錫銳,李淑珍及總統府資政江宜樺夫婦,經文處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦,波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡,在經文處感謝餐會中感謝僑界。(菊子攝)

            左起,李淑珍,總統府資政江宜樺夫婦,經文處長賴銘琪,雲雯蓁夫婦,黃景佩,後右起,陳毓璇夫婦,中華公所主席阮鴻燦,全美安良工商會元老胡英僚,波士頓兩名僑務委員馬滌凡,梅錫銳等人在餐會中合影。(菊子攝)

            江宜樺侃言他向馬英九建議,不要裁撤僑委會。(菊子攝)

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處的感謝餐會,有一百多人應邀出席。(菊子攝)


        大波士頓僑團首長和總統府資政江宜樺,經文處處長賴銘琪在餐會後合影。前排坐者左起,梅錫銳,陳毓璇,黃景佩,雲雯蓁,賴銘琪,江宜樺,李淑珍,馬滌凡。(圖由僑教中心提供)

波市長和市議員吳弭聯袂宣佈“主街之聲”

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)和波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)昨(廿八)日邀請音樂家,企業主,社會大眾,在五月一日至十日的“小企業週”中,參加一連十晚的“主街之聲(Acoustic on Main)”活動。
他們鼓勵主街內的商家在五月一日至十日的每日下午四至九點之間,舉辦地方上的音樂表演,邀請多至五種樂器或聲樂表演者演出。參加這活動的商家不需要申請現場娛樂牌照,也不必為表演繳費給市政府。
馬丁華殊表示,這個冬天對波士頓小企業來說,真是太難過了。現在春天來了,他們很興奮能用音樂來活潑主街,既支持地方上音樂家,也幫助地方商家,更希望民眾在本地購物,幫助鄰里繁榮。
吳弭也說,地方企業無論晴雨都在社區內開店營業,使波士頓顯得生氣蓬勃,溫暖迎人,如今寒冬過去,希望大家都能花點時間在主街區內,支持小企業,也欣賞現場音樂表演。
“麵粉和Myers+張(Flour and Myers + Chang)“的老闆張柔安表示,她很高興有這機會讓踏進店裡的顧客,有個全新感受。
有意參加活動的商家或音樂家,可到”主街之聲“網站上登記,還可把活動消息遞交給波士頓市府的網上活動日曆,方便民眾查察。

圖片說明:

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊和波市議員吳弭。(圖由波士頓市政府提供,Isabel Leon攝)

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES ACOUSTIC ON MAIN

10-days of music during Small Business Week to support local businesses after challenging winter

BOSTON - April 28, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with City Councilor Michelle Wu, today invited musicians, businesses, and the public to participate in “Acoustic on Main,” a 10-night event in Boston’s Main Streets Districts during Small Business Week. From May 1-10 Main Streets businesses are encouraged to host local acoustic performances with up to 5 instrumental or vocal performers from 4 pm to 9 pm. Participating businesses will not be required to apply for a live entertainment license or pay a fee to the City to hold the performances.

“This winter was very difficult for Boston’s small businesses,” said Mayor Walsh. “Now that Spring has arrived, we are excited to enliven our Main Streets districts with music to support our local businesses while also supporting our local musicians. Consider shopping locally and taking in a performance during Acoustic on Main and empower our neighborhoods to thrive.”

"Our local small businesses open their doors to the community in sun or snow - they anchor our neighborhoods and make Boston welcoming and vibrant,” said Councilor Michelle Wu. “After a hard winter, let's spend time in our Main Streets districts supporting our small businesses and enjoying live music throughout the city!”

"This is a great opportunity to introduce the community to artists they haven't heard of. Acoustic music brings a different sound to the community," said Amanda Ford of Soler, an urban apparel and streetwear retailer in the Grove Hall Main Street district.  "Acoustic on Main will increase the exposure for our community and area; this is another opportunity for us to be a catalyst of the New Grove Hall.  Small businesses are the life blood of community; they employ people in the area and operate with the local residents and community interests in mind.  Small business create positive change for community."

"For many, the idea of live music invokes loud music and nightclubs,” said Brian Piccini, owner of Boston Chops in Washington Gateway Main Streets, and a local musician.  “This is a great opportunity to showcase acoustic performers and change that dynamic. After the winter we have had, we need all the help we can get to liven the business districts."

"We're thrilled to open our doors to the wealth of local musical talent across Boston, and offer our customers a new experience when they stop in," said Joanne Chang, owner of Flour and Myers + Chang. "We're looking forward to participating in Acoustic on Main, and supporting the local Main Streets district."

Businesses and musicians who wish to participate can register at the Acoustic on Main website, and businesses hosting events are also welcome to submit those events to the City of Boston’s online calendar.  As the schedule develops, members of the public will also be able to find events in their neighborhood, and are encouraged to follow and engage with the event using #AcousticOnMain.  The Acoustic on Main website will be updated with a Map of Main Streets information, as well as with an events calendar with confirmed performances.

Businesses and musicians will make decisions regarding compensation for performers, however, just as the City of Boston encourage residents to support small businesses, we also encourage small businesses to support local musicians.

Acoustic on Main is made by possible by a partnership between City Councilor Michelle Wu,  the City Council’s Committee on Arts & Culture, the City Council’s Committee on Small Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the City of Boston’s Office of Business Development, the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, and the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing.