INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Book Club...................................p.6

Cheer & Courtesy....................p.6

Communications.....................p.7

Directory Changes..................p.9

Have You Heard?.....................p.5

In Memory................................p. 6

Insurance..................................p.4

Legislation................................p.3

Luncheon.................................p.8

.

Membership............................p.9

President’s Message……….p.1 & 2

President-Elect’s Message ___p.2

Resource Services……...............p.6

Treasurer’s Report......................p.6

Volunteers....................................p.5

California Retired Teachers Association Area IV Fremont, Union City, Newark Division

91 Volume 13 Number 4 “Your partner in pension protection..............” Fall 2016

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Marge Leonard

Visit the CalRTA web

site www.calrta.org

CalRTA 91 web site

www.calrta91.org

Proposed Special Committee Revision From Travel Committee to Activities Committee

Do you know Gail Moore? Gail, who currently lives in Hayward, is a long-time member of Division 91. For many years, she served as Division 91’s Travel Committee Chair. Gail planned trips, went on trips, and reaped a portion of the ticket costs for the Division 91 treasury. Thank you, Gail. The description of the Travel Committee--which was inspired by Gail’s dedication--is on the inside back cover of the 2016 Directory of Members. I urge you to take a look at it.

Times have changed. Golden West Bus Company is no longer in business. The Fremont Senior Center now organizes bus trips in conjunction with Pleasanton and Livermore. A CalRTA representative is no longer present on each trip, as stipulated in the Travel Committee description. Trips are no longer “limited to members of CalRTA as much as possible.” And there is no return on the ticket price to Division 91. With this in mind, your Division 91 Board recommends the deletion of Travel Committee from the Special Committees listed in Division 91’s Standing Rules. Those in attendance at the October lunch meeting will vote on the Board’s recommendation.(continues p.2)

OFFICERS AND CHAIRPERSONS

President: Marge Leonard Mini-Grants: Florence Griffin

President Elect: Sharon Blatte Resource Services: Sharon Yool

Secretary: JoAnn Houk Book Sales: Barbara Horn

Treasurer: Gene Amaral Reservations: Janie Caldwell

Membership: Muriel Rodrigues Historian: Dawn Scott

Financial Secretary: Judy Molander Phone Tree: A. King/S. Hoffman

Newsletter Editors: Maureen Addiego, Circulation: Carolyn Zeljak

Dorothy Hann, and Jeanette Rauscher Insurance: Yvonne Brown

Communications: Mary Kay Henderson Cheer/Courtesy: Florence Griffin

Publicity: Stevie Moody Web Master: Jerry Sabo

Legislation: Stella Torres Web Editor: Jeanette Rauscher

Events: Carolyn Zeljack Ducks for Bucks: Florence Griffin

Nominating Committee: Mary Kay Henderson

Membership Area IV: Sharon Yool

“We don’t stop playing

because we grow old; we

grow old because we stop

playing.”

George Bernand Shaw

CalRTA 91 Page 2 FALL 2016

Activities Committee Proposal Here is something I will propose to the Board at the October meeting: A position of Activities Committee should take the place of Travel Committee, the description being “to coordinate and publicize activities that would be of interest to the members of Division 91, such as(but not limited to) excursions, films, musical performances, art displays, athletic contests, dining, wine tasting. (In keeping with CalRTA’s insurance requirements, all participants would be required to sign a liability release form.)” If your Board recommends this change, it will come before the general membership in attendance at the October lunch meeting for a vote. Should this proposal be approved, Division 91 will need an adventuresome person to assume the Activities Committee Chair’s tasks. Does this sound like you? If so, please get in touch with me or another Division 91 Board member, so we can get this new Committee in place, beginning with the Activity Committee Chair’s introduction to the membership in October. A fall adventure sounds like fun, doesn’t it? For questions or further discussion, please contact Marge Leonard, President, Division 91, 510-792-9344 <margeryleonard@comcast.net>. Message from the President-Elect- Sharon Blattel Our guest speaker at our last luncheon spoke about Alzheimer's and Healthy Living for your Brain and Body.

Since aging happens to all of us, let's lookat the lighter side of growing older with a few jokes. I believe laughter makes you live longer! * If I'm 65, I guess I've reached the Geriatric Stage. But, if there were 15 months in every year, I'd only be 48. * Woman #1 says " Sometimes I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in front of the fridge, and I can't remember if I'm putting it away, or about to make a sandwich." * Woman #2 says "Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing of the stairs and I can't remember if I'm on my way up or down." * Woman #3 says " Well, I'm glad I don't have that problem ' Knock on Wood'. As she raps her knuckles on the table, she says, “ that must be the door- I'll get it'. " * An elderly man frantically calls 911 to report his car has been broken in to. The dispatch asks what has been taken. He says my whole dashboard, radio, steering wheel, and even my gas and brake pedals. The dispatcher tells him to stay calm, she's sending out an officer to his house. When the officer arrives, he calls the dispatch and says, “Disregard, he got in the back-seat by mistake'." * The Doctor tells his patient, " Well, I have good news and bad news." The patient responds, 'Tell me the bad news first'. The Doctor says, " You have Alzheimer's disease." 'Good heavens,' the patient responds, ' What's the good news?' The Doctor says, " You can go home and forget about it." ENJOY THE GOLDEN YEARS and FIND THE HUMOR IN LIFE !!!!!!

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LegislativeNews:OurUpcomingElectionsWhileregularDivision91LegislativecontributorStellaTorrezisoutofstate,shehasaskedBarbaraDiskowskiAreaIVLegislativeCo-Chair,Div.52Co-Chairtosendanarticleforournewsletterthismonth.AReminderthatElectionDayisTuesday,November8.Somethingstodo,consider,andsharewithothersinthemeantime:1.Besureyouareregisteredtovoteandvote.ContacttheAlamedaElectionofficestoregistertovote.Helpotherstoregistertovote.TheLeagueofWomenVoterscanhelpyouwiththisathttp://www.lwv.orgcall925-283-2235.2.CalRTAsupportspublicschoolteachersandpubliceducation.Wealsosupportteachersandformerteacherswhorunforoffice.Theyunderstandourperspectives.3.Beawarethatsomecandidatesdonotsupportpubliceducation.Thosewhowishtosupportprivateschoolsandforprofitcharterschoolsunderminepubliceducation.Teachersinprivateandforprofitcharterschoolsmaynotneedcredentials,donothavecollectivebargaining,andhavenodueprocess.Thisalsounderminesouractivepublicschoolteachers.Afreepubliceducationcontributestoourcultureandsocietyasawhole.4.CalRTAissupportingProposition51whichisabondtorepairourschools,andProposition55willpreventfurthercutsineducationandsaveteachingjobsinK-12schoolsandCommunityColleges.ThisnotanewtaxbutratherextendsProp.39forthosewhomakemorethan$250,000asindividuals,$500,000peoplefilingjoint,and$350,000forheadofhouseholds.5.Companiesareinfluencingvotingwithmillionsofdollarsandarechangingelections.Companieswritebillsthatourlegislatorsarepassing.Afairdemocraticgovernmentisoneourcorevalues.6.Inanelectionyearthetruthisoftenstretched.Followuponyourconcernswithrespectedsources.Checkthefacts:http//www.factcheck.org/,www.politifact.com,Snopes.comandofcourse,theLeagueofWomenVoters.BarbaraDiskowski,AreaIVLegislativeCo-Chair,Div.52Co-Chair,docbarbar1@gmail.com

CalRTA91 Page4 FALL2016

INSURANCE BITS ‘N PIECES Yvonne Brown, Insurance Chairperson

Open Enrollment As we’ve been notified by CalPERS, health plan enrollment changes for 2017 start September 12, 2016, and end October 7, 2016. If you are satisfied with your current supplemental insurance plan for Medicare, do nothing. If you’d like to make a change, check with CalPERS to learn of options available. Most CalRTA members have continued their health insurance coverage with the District from which they retired. Therefore, the information just received from CalPERS is appropriate. If you’ve chosen NOT to continue with your former District, but have questions about your current plan, checking with the info below will help— 1. Kristie Caracappa at Washington West (part of Washington Health Foundation)510 797-1111 ext. 4935) 2. HICAP—Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program— (510 839-0393) Medicare Updates Soon those members 65 and over will be receiving MEDICARE AND YOU 2017. For those becoming 65, or for those new to Medicare, this important manual explains the four parts, A B C D of Medicare. Does changing to Medicare health coverage mean you will NOT continue to be included in your school district’s health insurance plan? No. Not at all. You’ll just be moving to a different category. PART A—helps pay for stays in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNF), home health services, and hospice care. Monthly premiums for Part A are not paid if you (or your spouse) paid sufficient Medicare payroll taxes while working. However, if you do not have enough paid by payroll taxes, services can be paid by paying monthly premiums. Part B—helps pay for doctors’ services (both in and out of the hospital) and outpatient care such as lab work and screenings. It also covers some medical equipment and supplies such as wheelchairs and oxygen (if certain conditions are met) and most drugs or vaccines that are administered in a doctor’s office. You pay monthly premiums for Part B based on your income. Medicare B covers 80% of Medicare-approved costs of each service, and you pay 20%--unless you have supplemental insurance that covers these out-of-pocket expenses. Part C—is the way to use HMO’s and PPO’s, which are privately managed-care plans to pay for the services that “Basic Medicare” does not cover. The Medicare Advantage plans must cover all the same services as the traditional Medicare programs (Parts A and B) but may charge lower co-pays. The plans MAY also offer Part D drug coverage and other extras such as routine dental, visual, and hearing care. Paying a monthly premium (in addition to the Part B premium) is required. These plans may restrict your choice of doctors and other providers, or charge higher co-pays for going out of network. Part D—helps pay for prescription drugs that are used at home. This coverage MAY be included in your Medicare Advantage Plan, OR can be selected, for a premium, as a “stand-alone” drug plan for those who only have traditional Medicare.

NOTICE ACT From the Alliance of Retired Americans (CARA in CA)—“On August 6, 2016, the Notice Act took effect, requiring hospitals to inform patients if they are, ‘under observation’, but not formally admitted to the hospital as inpatients. Medicare patients ‘under observation’ do not qualify for Medicare’s limited nursing home coverage and therefore incur significant out-of-pocket costs. Medicare currently covers up to 100 days of nursing home care which averages $92,000 per year. In order to qualify for Medicare nursing home care, a patient must first spend three consecutive days as a hospital inpatient.”

MEDICARE—SECOND MEDICAL OPINIONS If a second medical opinion is wanted, or deemed “needed”, will it be paid for? Yes, Medicare does pay for a second opinion if your current doctor has recommended surgery or some other major diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. This is paid for under Medicare Part B; however, certain steps must first be taken depending whether you have original Medicare or certain Medicare Advantage plans. (Members who have recently experienced medical problems would like to encourage everyone to be sure to have the Medical tests considered “age appropriate” such as colonoscopies and mammograms.)

CalRTA91 Page5 FALL2016

Have You Heard? Compiled by Dolores Wright

Have you ever attended a family reunion? Jean Ficklin recently traveled to Shreveport, LA, for her family’s 39th reunion. Some highlights were visiting with her brother and most of his family, plus her 101-year-old aunt, and touring the city. She was able to spend some time visiting her hometown of Jackson, MS. Jean also enjoyed checking out her alma mater, Jackson State University. Going back further in time was a chance to worship at Holy Ghost Catholic Church that she attended during high school. Being able to stay in a hotel that was off-limits during segregation was a pleasant surprise. Keep enjoying your travels, Jean! “I first saw her in the flesh ten days after birth and held her in my arms for over an hour. She was just a tiny thing, only weighing just over six pounds” That proud great grandfather would have a twinkle in his eye and pride in his voice when he talked about his newest great granddaughter, Alison (Ali) Olivia. She was born with a sparkle in her blue eyes in Brentwood on June 30 and has an eighteen-month-old sister named Aubree (Bree). Great grandfather Dewitt Glasgow says that both babies bring him much joy. As you can imagine, Dewitt is looking forward to watching them develop and bring a twinkle to his eyes throughout their childhoods. He says they are likely to be the only great grandchildren that he will have. Enjoy, Dewitt! Newark retirees are on the move! Orville Johnson has moved to an apartment in Castro Valley. Also, Richard John has sold his home for the last 51 years in Newark and has moved closer to family in the Roseville area. Richard and his wife Mary Jane found a new home in Eskaton Village, a senior retirement community of about 300 homes with numerous activities available and nearby walking trails and parks. Best wishes to both families as they enjoy their new homes. Can we hear from you? We have over 500 members, and it would be great to read about things keeping our members active. Are you traveling? Taking a computer, cooking, or music class? Moving to a new residence? Grinning from ear to ear bragging about the new grandchild? Involved in a cooking class? Shimmying and shaking in a new dance class? Proud of the new award you received? Have a new job? All of these (and nameless others) are things that our retired teachers would like to know about. Please fill out a Have You Heard? form. You may leave it on the luncheon table, email it to dolwright@aol.com, or mail it to her address in the Directory of Members. Let's hear from you!

Volunteers Needed Submitted by Joanne Hoemberg Volunteers are needed to help set up for activities for 3rd and 4th grade classes and to be docents both at the Museum of Local History in Mission San Jose and at the Rancho Higuera Adobe. All groups are scheduled on either Wednesdays or Fridays during the school year and generally are between the hours of 10 and noon. The students who visit the Museum are 3rd graders, and the 4th graders learn about Rancho Days out at the adobe. All retired teachers and their friends are invited to come and help out. The kids love these field trips, and it's a great way to help these students learn about Fremont history. If you or someone you know is interested in helping, please call Dianne Holmes at 510 656-6025 or Joanne Hoemberg at 510 490-2977. We really need you! Feel free to call if you have any questions.

For Your Interest

Please join us for the CalRTA “Book Club”. Meetings are held the first Monday of every month at 11:00AM. At present we are meeting at El Patio on Fremont Blvd. Our coming attractions include:

October 3, 2016 My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman November 7, 2016 Share books for next year December 5, 2016 All The Light We Cannot See by A. Doerr

Gene Amaral As of August 30, the balances in the Division bank accounts are:

Checking Account, $15,667.70

Savings (Grants) Account, $5,152.55

Resources: by Sharon Yool A fall can cause a serious injury, especially to mature adults. Here’s some advice to strength your body and prevent accidents.

• If you can, stand on 1 foot by a counter or chair. Try not to grip it but only rest your hand or a couple of fingers. Try to stand for up to 30 seconds before switching to the other foot.

• In the bathroom install a grab bar for getting in and out of the tub.

• Sit and then stand up a few times in a row. This can strengthen the core of your body as well as your legs.

• Always check for loose rugs or mats.

• Join a local yoga, Pilates, or tai chi class. It’s fun and also a way to make new friends.

CHEER AND COURTESY Florence Griffin, Chairperson

A card was sent to Genore Schaaf who fell and injured her hip. We hope she’s on the mend soon. We offer condolences for the passing of: Norma Burns.

A Gift to CalRTA F.U.N. Division 81 Mini-Grant Fund www.calrta91.org

Name of Donor __________________________________________________________________ Street Address, City, Zip Code _____________________________________________________ In Memory of ___________________________________________________________________ In Honor of _____________________________________________________________________ Send acknowledgement to (no amount will be shown) __________________________________ Street Address, City, Zip Code _____________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed: $________________________ Make check payable to: CalRTA Division #91

Mail to Scholarship, CalRTA #91, PO Box 643, Fremont, CA 94537-0643

Please return this form with your gift

CalRTA Page 6 Fall 2016CalRTA 91 Page 6 Fall 2016

COMMUNICATIONS

Mary Kay Henderson

Communication/Technology Chair, Area IV

Dale Carnegie once said, "You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's

happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or

discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may

cherish them over a lifetime". Carnegie must have been channeling, in part, what is so vital to the art of

teaching. And we know "Teachers and Retired Teachers never stop caring." In this spirit, Retired

Teachers' Week, the first week of November, needs a celebration. And it is hoped that each of you will

contribute to that week's tribute to yourself by visiting a local school of your choice and say hello to the

staff--maybe give them flyers about the current teacher grant program from the state CalRTA. (The next

launch is September 15. The deadline to apply is October 10th. Link is on CalRTA's website--

www.calrta.org or on our Facebook page--www.facebook.com/CalRTA. Another idea for your visit--

some "comfort" food or leave your copies of Contact Magazine or maybe some bookmarks or flyers

summarizing the accomplishments of our organization. (These items will be available for pick-up at our

next luncheon in October.) Also, examples for a letter to the editor about us and our accomplishments

will be on the lunch tables. Maybe put together a writer's team to make these letters to local papers a

reality. And thanks to Dawn Scott for the outstanding Fremont Library display she puts together for our

organization each November. Many other ideas will be presented at our October 19th luncheon.

Newport Beach, California was host city to this year's Fall Leadership meeting September 7-9th. The

state's Board of Directors, the 12 Area Committee Chairpersons and the representatives of the three

standing committees--Communication/Technology, Government Relations (legislation) and Membership

and Recruitment and Resources along with our PAC members, Nomination and Scholarship Committees

gathered to share ideas of ways to make our Retired Teachers' Organization ever more vibrant and to

discuss ways to strengthen the divisions of California. A main theme was the need to build membership

in this age of more and more on-line communication and less membership in formal organizations.

Some reminders: Have you tried out new blog? This blog was created to connect our newsletter editors

but all are welcome to join the conservation. It's easy to do. 1. Read and comment on the topics of

interest. 2. Scroll up and down, keeping in mind that newer posts are nearer the top. To participate; go

to http://www.iteachyou.com/prototype.pdf -- hope to" read" you there.

Protecting our pensions is our main purpose--the more members, the more protection. Everyone in

your community and/or family is eligible. Membership is also a wonderful gift. Pass on the good work

of our CalRTA--and don't forget to continue planting those seeds you have sown throughout your

career.

CalRTA 91 Page 7 Fall 2016

LUNCHEON/MEETING AT SPIN-A-YARN 45915 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

11:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Recognition of Octogenarian Members

Report on Propositions on November ballot from LWV Group singing with Barbara Horn and Carol McCarty

Sit-down Luncheon Menu

Chicken Picatta or Salmon or Vegetarian Pasta Primavera

Mixed green salad Vegetables

Dessert

GIFT CARD TREE AND QUILT DRAWING AND BOOK SALE (All proceeds go to the Mini-grant fund.)

We will have a Gift Card Tree at the meeting. If you would like to donate a gift card, please send it to Florence Griffin before the luncheon. Tickets are $1.00 each, six for $5.00, or 30 for $20.00. There will also be a drawing for a quilt donated by the Piecemakers Quilt Guild. You may also donate used books to the Book Sale. Books are on sale for $1.00/book. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luncheon Cost: $26.00 per person (The price has gone up to $28.00, but CalRTA#91 will pay $2.00 toward the cost of each meal.) Reservations must be received by Tuesday, October 11, 2016. Please send your reservation to Janie Caldwell, 37111 Elm St., Fremont, CA 94536. Phone: (510)797-2462. NAME(S) ____________________________________________________ PHONE: ___________________________ EMAIL: ___________________ Check below your preferred entrée:

___ Chicken Picatta ____Salmon ____ Vegetarian pasta

Make your check for $26.00 payable to CalRTA #91. Check Amount ____________ Would you like a ride to the luncheon meeting? If so, what is your zip code? _______ Circle YES and someone will contact you.

MEMBERSHIP Fall 2016

New Members Can Get Dues Discount Through The End of September

Have a friend or acquaintance that would like to join and support CalRTA’s work to keep our

pensions secure? Here’s a reminder that there is a membership grant in place until the end of

September 2016 to offer NEW joining members a special deal for membership costs. If a person

joins using dues deduct as their payment method they can get a 50% discount on the first year’s

dues. If a new person chooses to pay with cash there is a 20% reduction on the first year dues.

These are for NEW members only. Also, remember that the new member must use the special

grant application form that appeared in the June newsletter. A copy of this newsletter/grant form

is online at the CalRTA #91 website or contact me for a copy.

Octogenarians These four new octogenarians… Kathleen Schuler, Kerin Romero, Fran

Nelson and Nancy Couchot are being invited to be our guests at the upcoming October 19

luncheon. It’s nice to learn a little about fellow members of CalRTA #91 and give these special

folks a bit of extra attention. Muriel Rodrigues, Division #91, Area IV, Membership modrigs@sbcglobal.net

WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Bernadette Avery Rosemary Brennan Barbara Clark Sally Crawford Barbara Mc Kinstry

Olive Riley-Steward Lynda Whalley Kathleen Weathers Bonnie Worthington

DIRECTORY CHANGES:

Julie Haun moved Gayle Howell add telephone numbers Richard John moved Sue Long married—new last name Michele Keys Mc Intire new address

Marsha Parker moved Norma Richey moved Mary Anne Salzmann moved Genore Schaaf moved Jeannie Thomson moved

SPAM AND IDENTITY THEFT AVOIDANCE In an effort to keep your identity from unscrupulous people, the CalRTA Division #91 board has voted to no longer publish home addresses, email addresses, or phone numbers of our members where they might get into the wrong hands. Since some of our members receive their FUN Times via email, this information will not be submitted to the FUN Times. If you want to contact a new member, get the address of a member that has moved etc., you may call or email Muriel Rodrigues, membership chairperson, or Judy Molander, financial secretary and she will provide contact information in a responsible way.

CalRTA Page 9 Fall 2016CalRTA 91 Page 9 Fall 2016