羅德島候任州長警民眾州府預算短期內不會有改善

美聯社報導：

候任州長雷萌朵（ Raimondo）週六（十二月廿七日）警告性表示，別期望羅德島州政府預算赤字，或者其他大問題，能在她上任後的頭一百天內快速解決。

雷萌朵在接受WPRO-AM電台訪問時說，“現在，我正踏進一個破碎的預算赤字，情況很糟，我無意撒謊，情況真的很糟。

民主黨籍的候任州長雷萌朵將於一月六日上日。她許諾要以協商方式來解決州府的財政及揮之不去的經濟困難。

她說，從長期的經濟策略來說，羅德島必須找出自己的長處。羅德島州十一月份時的失業率，高達7.1%，已比之前月份降了三個百分點，但仍然遠高於全美的 5.8%失業率。

克蘭斯頓市鼓勵居民種樹 40株供申請

Mayor Fung announces Implementation of

Cranston’s 2015 Neighborhood Tree Planting Program

Cranston, 2014-  Mayor Allan Fung today announced the implementation of The 2015 Cranston Neighborhood Tree Planting Program. This program is supported with funding provided by the City of Cranston and the RI Tree Council, a non-profit organization, will administer the program on behalf of the city.

“Cranston has a tradition of lush, green spaces throughout the city and I am proud to contribute to our natural beauty by making this program available to our residents.  I encourage all residents to take advantage of this pilot program.” Said Mayor Fung “The small, humble beginnings of this program will take root in the city and hopefully as we are able to expand it in the future, more residents will be able to participate.”

Program details

·         The trees are between 8-10 feet tall with a 4-6 foot crown spread. 

·         They will be furnished and installed in spring 2015 (April 1 – May 30) at no cost to the home-owner. (a $250 value)

·         There are ONLY 40 trees available for the spring 2015 campaign.

·         To obtain forms and parameters of the program’s requirements, please contact the

      RI Tree council by telephone (401) 764-5885 or via email: RITree@RITree.org

·         Application deadline is March 1, 2015. A free tree will be awarded to the first 40 applicants who meet the program requirements    

State House Holiday Concerts to Feature 3,000 Student Musicians from 54 Schools

State House Holiday Concerts to Feature 3,000 Student Musicians from 54 Schools

(Providence, RI – November 24, 2014) 

Young people from Primrose Hill School in Barrington perform at the Rhode Island State House in 2012 as part of RISCA's Holiday Concert Series

The holiday season is upon us, and the musical talents of Rhode Island school musicians will be showcased as part of a month-long musical celebration of the holidays during the month of December.

“We’re pleased to be continuing this holiday tradition of student performances at the Rhode Island State House,” said Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. “Close to 3,000 student musicians from fifty-four schools throughout the state will perform at the Rhode Island State House in a special series of musical performances.”  The concert series starts on Monday, December 1st and runs through Friday, December 19th.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

The concert series, organized by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, will feature music of the season, performed by students from schools throughout the State of Rhode Island. The performances are all in the Rhode Island State House.

A one page holiday concert flyer can be found at http://www.arts.ri.gov/holiday

The list below is arranged by city/town. For a video that provides a glimpse of the holiday concert season at the Rhode Island State House, see an excerpt of the 2013 performance of the combined choirs of McCourt Middle School and North Cumberland Middle School in Cumberland at http://www.arts.ri.gov/holiday-video

About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.

List of Holiday Concerts - Arranged by City/Town

BARRINGTON

Tuesday, December 2 at 9:30am, Primrose Hill Third Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of David Lauria

Wednesday, December 10 at 10:30am, Nayatt School 3rd Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of Karen DeWitt

Tuesday, December 16 at 11:30am, Barrington Middle School Jazz Band from Barrington, under the direction of Dail Bienkiewicz

Tuesday, December 16 at 11:30am, Barrington Middle School 8th Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of Kerri Thurber

Wednesday, December 17 at 11:30am, Sowams School Third Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of Mark Vadnais

BLOCK ISLAND

Thursday, December 18 at 11:30am, Island Sound from Block Island, under the direction of Megan Hennessy

CENTRAL FALLS

Friday, December 12 at 9:30am, Segue Square Mile Singers from Central Falls, under the direction of Matthew Gringras

CHARIHO SCHOOL DISTRICT

Friday, December 19 at 9:30am, Ashaway Elementary School Chorus from Ashaway, under the direction of Michael Zielski

Tuesday, December 9 at 10:30am, Chariho Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus from Wood River Junction, under the direction of Lynn Dowding

CRANSTON

Monday, December 8 at 11:30am, Cranston West Jazz Combo from Cranston, under the direction of Arthur Montanaro

Wednesday, December 10 at 11:30am, Cranston High School West Orchestra from Cranston, under the direction of Christine Harrington

CUMBERLAND

Monday, December 1 at 9:30am, Combined Choruses of North Cumberland and McCourt Middle School from Cumberland, under the direction of Shannon Davis and Thomas Alger

Monday, December 8 at 10:30am, Cumberland High School Clef Singers from Cumberland, under the direction of Janita Ducharme

Tuesday, December 16 at 9am, Blackstone Valley Prep Musicians from Cumberland, under the direction of Raffi Rachdouni

Tuesday, December 16 at 9:30am, Blackstone Valley Prep Allegro Strings from Cumberland, under the direction of Piera Leone

EAST GREENWICH

Wednesday, December 3 at 10:30am, Cole Middle School Music Department from East Greenwich, under the direction of Megan Catelli

EAST PROVIDENCE

Wednesday, December 3 at 11:30am, St. Mary Academy-Bay View Orchestra from Riverside, under the direction of Stephanie Isidoro

Thursday, December 4 at 11:30am, Riverside Middle School Concert Band from East Providence, under the direction of Mark Maguire

Friday, December 12 at 11:30am, Martin Middle School Concert Choir from East Providence, under the direction of Robert Rappa

Monday, December 15 at 10:30am, Riverside Middle School 7th & 8th grade chorus from Riverside, under the direction of John Baldaia

Friday, December 19 at 11:30am, East Providence High School Wind Ensemble from East Providence, under the direction of Marisa Martinez and the East Providence High School Concert Choir from East Providence, under the direction of Maryann Lasorsa 

FOSTER – GLOCESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Monday, December 1 at 11:30am, Clayville Elementary Chorus from Clayville, under the direction of Charlotte Ethier

Friday, December 12 at 12 noon, Ponaganset Chamber Chorus from Foster-Glocester, under the direction of Derek Sabatini

JAMESTOWN

Monday, December 15 at 9:30am, Jamestown School Jazz Band & Chorus from Jamestown, under the direction of Karyn Kauffman

JOHNSTON

Friday, December 19 at 10:30am, Ferri Middle School Select Band and Select Chorus from Johnston, under the direction of Tom Conlon (chorus) and Pat Aubin (band)

LINCOLN

Monday, December 8 at 9:30am, Lincoln High School Choir from Lincoln, under the direction of Brandon Lahoud

LITTLE COMPTON

Thursday, December 18 at 9:30am, Wilbur/McMahon Schools Chorus from Little Compton, under the direction of B.J. Whitehouse

NARRAGANSETT

Tuesday, December 9 at 9:30am, Narragansett Pier Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus from Narragansett, under the direction of Michael Simeone with the Narragansett High School Chorus from Narragansett, under the direction of Sarah Kane

NORTH KINGSTOWN

Thursday, December 4 at 10:30am, Davisville Middle School Jazz, Strings and Chorus from North Kingstown, under the direction of Brenda Young

PAWTUCKET

Tuesday, December 2 at 11:30am, JMW Chorus from Pawtucket, under the direction of Scott Beauregard

Thursday, December 4 at 9:30am, Shea High School Glee Club from Pawtucket, under the direction of Anne Lagace

Monday, December 15 at 11:30am, Nathanael Greene Elementary 6th Grade Band Ensemble from Pawtucket, under the direction of Carminda Mahajan

PORTSMOUTH

Friday, December 12 at 10:30am, Portsmouth High School Concert Choir from Portsmouth, under the direction of Gael Berberick

PROVIDENCE

Tuesday, December 2 at 10:30am, Robert L. Bailey Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Cathleen Markovitz

Friday, December 5 at 9:30am, Paul Cuffee School 5th Grade Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Frances Candelario

Friday, December 5 at 10:30am, Carnevale Elementary School Chorus with the DelSesto Middle School Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Robert Maher

Friday, December 5 at 11:30am, Mount Pleasant High School Winter Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Danielle Lucini

Wednesday, December 17 at 10:30am, Feinstein Elementary School Bell Choir/Advanced Guitar Ensemble from Providence, under the direction of Wayne Kilcline

SCITUATE

Wednesday, December 3 at 9:30am, North Scituate Elementary Chorus from North Scituate, under the direction of Charlotte Ethier

Tuesday, December 16 at 10:30am, Hope Elementary Chorus from Hope, under the direction of Charlotte Ethier

SMITHFIELD

Thursday, December 11 at 10:00am, Smithfield High School Concert Band from Smithfield, under the direction of Kelly Chartier

Thursday, December 11 at 10:30am, Smithfield High School Chorus from Smithfield, under the direction of Katherine Young

SOUTH KINGSTOWN

Tuesday, December 9 at 11:30am, Peace Dale Elementary Chorus from PeaceDale, under the direction of Christine Pierce

Wednesday, December 17 at 9:30am, Vivace from Curtis Corner Middle School from Wakefield, under the direction of Laurette Vitello

WARWICK

Monday, December 1 at 10:30am, Toll Gate High School Jazz Band from Warwick, under the direction of Nicholas Reed

Wednesday, December 10 at 9:30am, Holden Elementary School Chorus and the Hoxsie Elementary School Chorus from Warwick, under the direction of Antonio Grelle

WEST GREENWICH

Friday, December 12 at 11am, Exeter/West Greenwich Senior High Chorus from West Greenwich, under the direction of Ronald Runner

WOONSOCKET

Thursday, December 11 at 11:30am, Harris Elementary School Singers from Woonsocket, under the direction of Kimberly Picard

Thursday, December 18 at 10:30am, Woonsocket Middle School Chorus from Woonsocket, under the direction of John Burns

Marketing to State and Local Government With the RI Division of Purchases

         Marketing to State and Local Government
                                                With the RI Division of Purchases 

Date:           Tuesday,  December 2, 2014
                    8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location:   Commerce RI
                    315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
                    Providence, RI 02908


If you've ever wondered how state agencies, cities, counties, school boards, and authorities buy their goods and services, then this is the class for you. 

The RI Division of Purchases will inform participants on how to register as a vendor, who to contact, where to find opportunities, and what the requirements are for bidding and how to get paid.  Specific attention will be given to doing business with the State of Rhode Island and many units of local government.

                                               Register now at: www.riptac.org/training
                                                  Event is free and parking is available

Questions: Soraya Sundberg, ssundberg@commerceri.com, 401-278-9173

孫琰當選東格林威治鎮學校委員

羅德島大學電腦工程副教授孫琰（Yan Sun），十一月四日以52%，2700多票的最高得票率，當選羅德島州東格林威治鎮學校委員會委員。

            孫琰將是該鎮成立 337 年以來的首名華裔學校委員。

        昨（五）日，孫琰在回應本報探問時表示，她和競選團隊非常感激所有支持者，這次參選能得到鎮民認可，既感驕傲，也深覺責任重大，將盡心盡力幫助鎮內小孩學習得更好，更愉快，開心。

孫琰坦言，因為這次選舉，結交了許多朋友，四日這天，許多人都特地請了一天假，沒去上班，上課的分頭幫她在該鎮五個投票站助選，光傳單就發了三千多張。

孫琰透露，羅德島州的華人，因為有馮偉杰（Allan Fung）參選州長，全都開始關注選舉，從沒登記做選民的也去辦了手續。四日那天，東格林威治鎮的投票站，也因為他們助選，到處都是馮偉杰的競選標語牌。投票結束後回家在電視上看開票，看到最後馮偉杰只差三個多百分點的落選，特別鬱悶。

            羅德島州東格林威治鎮學校委員會今年的委員改選，競爭格外激烈，在四個出缺席位中，選民擁抱了三名新人，包括無黨籍的孫琰（Yan Sun），無黨籍的Michael Fain，以及民主黨的David Osborne。另一名當選者為在位，第三度連任的共和黨籍Mary Ellen Winters。

            孫琰等三名新人都是“東格林威治父母爭取卓越（East Greenwich Parents for Excellence）”這新組織的成員。去年春天，一批不滿在任學校委員會表現的家長們，走到一起，成立了這組織。

            該組織的非正式領導人Rebecca Bliss表示，他們不滿是因為在任的學校委員會行政不透明，而且不和家長們互動，打交道。

            他們希望學校委員會處理的問題包括延遲初高中上課時間，增加全日幼稚園。有個專門委員會正在研究這兩個議題。此外，他們也質疑學校委員會的策略計劃過程。

            得最高票的孫琰在公開論壇中告訴選民，她將回應每一通電話，每一封電郵。

            Michael Fain表示，孫琰的話極得人心，尤其是那些家有學齡兒童的父母。他認為選舉結果顯然表達了選民希望有改變的心意。

         

圖片說明：

            羅德島大學電腦工程副教授孫琰(右)坦言丈夫支持，她才下決心參選的。（檔案圖片，菊子攝）

        孫琰（中）參選學校委員，有張耀華（左）擔任競選經理，羅德島州華人僑領，也住在東格林威治村的吳子平（右）支持。（檔案圖片，菊子攝）

            孫琰（中）向馮偉杰（右二）介紹她丈夫（左二）。（檔案圖片，菊子攝）