CalRTA - 52Diablo VistaP.O. Box 4292Walnut Creek, CA 94596-0292

T I M E D M AT E R I A L - D O N ’ T D E L AYR E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postal Paid

Concord, CA

Permit 250

Leave a MessageInfo Hotline: Barbara Diskowski B.B. Editor: Gil Leveroni Luncheons: Betty Hodge Betty’s backup: Bernie Yeghoian Trips: Marge Hennigar Membership: Lorrie Osborn Sunshine: Nellie Hinds

Division 52 Website Address:Div52.calrta.org – For quick and easy access, type div52.

calrta.org. into your internet browser. You can also access our website from calrta.org. Click on Explore CalRTA, Areas and Divisions, IV on the CA map, then Div. 52. You don’t have to log in to access any division or area website.

In Memoriam

BULLETIN BOARD

Diablo Vista Division 52, Area IVOf The California Retired Teachers Association Since 1963

Your partner in pension protection

We surely had fun at our most recent luncheon meeting at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. First, we had a brief legislative activity asking our state legis-lators to request Governor Jerry Brown to appoint a retired teacher to the STRS Board. We need a voice on this board that controls the STRS financial actions that directly affect us.

Russ Rackow read the proposed changes to our Division By-laws. A motion was made, seconded, and voted on to accept the changes as they were proposed. A copy of the Bylaws can be found on our website at div.52@calrta.com under updates. Call us if you would like a copy and send us a stamped, self -addressed envelope. Thank you for your patience through this process. In any case, we will always keep you informed of any proposed changes.

We were royally entertained by the Award Winning Hillview Junior High School Jazz Band of Pittsburg under the expert direction of Diane Kaczynski, herself a former Teacher of the Year Award Winner. The group played all the wonderful clas-sic jazz tunes of earlier times with an expert touch. They were first seen at the Teacher of the Year County Awards Dinner. We were very fortunate to have them perform for us with a complete group of brass players, drummers and pianists play-ing their best.

We are excited to announce that Tuesday, March 14, we will present a Pre-Retirement Workshop for educators who are considering retiring within the next five years. Lorrie Osborn has provided detailed information in her membership column on page 4. Our group volunteers learned how to use Google Forms from Jim Sterling, a CalRTA Director, and Maxwell Stringham at the CCCOE. These forms enable us to do online registration for our workshop attendees. I enjoyed learning about this process as it will help us with future workshops. Years ago, many of you will recall that Districts used to pro-vide these Pre-Retirement Workshops. But now, the CalRTA divisions have begun picking up this task to help teachers.

Our next luncheon will be at the Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton on Wednesday, the 5th of April. We will celebrate with our wonderful Golden Agers and present our LES Merit Award to a worthy (Diablo Vista Div. 52) recipient.

(continued on page 2)

President’s MessageBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D., President April Luncheon Meeting

Program Committee, Pat Martin, ChairApril 5, 2017 AGENDA

Place: OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton 94517

(Driving directions on page 2)Cost: $26.00 for Luncheon only (includes tax & tip)

Contact is Betty Hodge

11:00 a.m. Social Hour11:45 a.m. Luncheon & Business Meeting, Golden Agers, Laura E. Settle Merit Award Recipient1:00 p.m. Program: The Sophisticates

Reservation deadline: Saturday, March 25, 2017NOTE: Any reservations postmarked or phoned in after

the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee.

Future luncheon dates & reservation deadlines:Wednesday, June 7, 2017 – Deadline May 27, 2017

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 – Deadline July 22, 2017

Program NotesMike Spellman and Ella Wolfe have established them-

selves as one of the most in-de-

mand singing duos in Northern

California. Their relaxed, com-

fortable “supper club” style is a

hit with theater, club and private

party audiences. Before team-

ing up in 2012, Mike and Ella

were already veteran perform-

ers of 20-plus years. Together,

they have blended their singing

styles to bring out the best in

both on songs from many genres, including jazz, pop, clas-

sics, country, rock and Broadway. Mike and Ella put a tap

in your toe and a smile on your face.

April - May 2017

The BULLETIN BOARD is published bi-monthly by the

Diablo Vista Division 52 of the California Retired Teachers

Association. We are a non-profit organization which does not assume responsibility or liability for the safety or well-being

of participants in any of its activities.

President Barbara Diskowski

First Vice President Lorrie Osborn

Second Vice President Pat Martin

Recording Secretary Vivian Boyd

Corresponding Secretary Linda LaCasse/Karen Yee

Financial Secretary Patty Waddington

Treasurer Rita Goldman

Editor Gil Leveroni

Circulation Chair Ann Custer/Pat Martin

Past President Russ Rackow

Logging on to the CalRTA WebsiteVisit calrta.org – This takes you to the state association

website. You will need to login with your member ID and

password as follows:

Mbr ID:

Password:

Login:

You will find this on the address label on your Contact magazine.

Click on this and you are in the site.

Just browse by clicking on topics.

Your last name

A l s o I n Th i s I s s u eTreasurer's Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2T-Shirts For Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2Legislation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3Membership News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4Golden Agers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5Scholarship Foundation News. . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6

John Cambus Janice Costella

Diran Der-HarootunianBarbara J. Eshelman

Roger MartinMary G. McHugh

Martha McLeanJohn Osborn

Evelyn RadfordNorma D. Therkelson

Frank H. Vassallo

Page 2 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Little Red School HouseLuncheon February 1, 2017

Little Red School House $205.00(proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund) Luncheon Attendance: 101

Page 7CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Day Trips 2017DATE CHANGE: April 14, 2017 - Elkhorn Slough: Price change $70. This is the best time of year for viewing the animals and birds on our boat cruise in the slough, PLUS, an easy guided walking tour to view the whole slough! Lunch OYO. Ed and I will be going back to Phil's Fish House. Call right away in case there is still room.

May 31, 2017 - SF Theater Outing - Roman Holiday at the Golden Gate. Cost: $80. per ticket, only 17 tickets available. BART, lunch OYO. TBA Payment due April 1, 2017.

June 15, 2017 - Captain Morgan's Delta Cruise: 2 1/2 hour narrated Delta Cruise to Stockton, lunch at Garlic Brothers on the dock, Cost $120. includes round trip cruise, lunch, and bus. Payment due. Wait list.

July 8, 2017 - Angel Island Tram Tour: Cost to be determined by the number of folks. CHOICE 1: bus to Tiburon, lunch, ferry and tour of Angel Island. 35 folks needed for bus. CHOICE 2: Bart to SF, Ferry to Angel Island, lunch TBA. Deadline: April 16, 2017. Call Margaret.

August 16, 2017 - Filoli: Guided tour, tennis court catered lunch.This will be our first trip to see summer gardens. Cost: $95. Incl: lunch $45., entrance, tour $15., bus $35.

DATE CHANGE - September 26, 2017 - VENUE CHANGE : Monterey Aquarium: Cost: $40., Bus $35., est. unless we get coupons. Total $75. Lunch OYO.

October 14, 2017 - Jack London State Park: Tour in golf cart, lunch in Glen Ellen, Tour Downtown Sonoma. Cost: $85. Incl. bus, parking for bus, park entrance, guide, lunch. Payment due Aug. 16, 2017.

November 16, 2017 - Black Diamond Mines, Downtown Clayton: Incl. Museum. This trip will be guided by our own Adela Oldford and JoAnne Caspar. Cost $15. incl. mine and museum. Lunch at La Veranda OYO. Carpool. To reserve your spot call Adela.

December 2, 2017 - Christmas Tea, air museum & surprise tour.Cost: Bus, tea, museum, tour: est. $90.

Senior SafarisMarge & Ed Hennigar, Safari DirectorsThe following trips are planned for the members of Diablo

Vista - Div. 52 and their friends. For more information and/or a flyer, please call Ed and Marge Hennigar or email: mhen-nigar@sbcglobal.net. For day trip information, contact either Marge or Adela Oldford.

Washington DC: April 27-May 4, 2017; Harrington Hotel $159. per night, own air, SWA. Call Marge for more information.

3rd Annual Ashland Trip: September 2-8, 2017. Oregon Shakespeare Festival and more! Choice of 11 plays, Britt Mu-sic Festival, Cabaret Theater, Jet Boat ride, Ashland Springs Hotel downtown, dbl room size choices. Estimate for 7 days 6 nights, about $200. pp, per day for room, plays, some meals. Final planning meeting with cost sheets on Wed., May 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Denny's on Willow Pass Road.

Update! Changes! Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel, Niagra Falls!: October 13-20, 2017. Visit this unique island in Michi-gan, stepping back in time! No cars! Horse drawn carrige ride, Henry Ford Museum, Frankinmuth, MI Greenfield Village, Hydro floral clock, more! Home pickup, round trip air, Talbot Tours: (800) 663-9933.

Discover Thailand: Nov. 1-16, 2017. OAT-Questions? There is one shared space available. Call Margaret Bradford for

information.

Treasurer’s ReportRita Goldman, TreasurerFinancial Report for Period 12/1/16 - 1/31/17Checking Acct. Balance Western CU (11/30/16) 583.00INCOME

State Dues 2,679.00Luncheons 4,179.00See’s Candy 2,413.00Miscellaneous 25.00 $9,296.00Total Income for Period $9,879.00

DISBURSEMENTSBudgeted Items 820.00Luncheons 3,395.00See's Candy 0Total Disbursements for Period $4,215.00

Balance in Checking Acct. $5,664.00Western Money Market $10,414.00Western Savings Account $26.00TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE $16,104.00

April - May 2017April - May 2017

(continued from page 1) Please join us for some fun enter-tainment that Pat Martin, our Program Chair, has arranged for us. Until then, keep active and stay aware of your needs for Healthcare and Social Security. We will take both these needs with us to Washington, DC in late April.

Hillview Band DonationsIf anyone would like to make a donation directly to the

Hillview Band, especially those of us who attended the last luncheon, may do so by writing a check made payable to: Hillview Jr. High Band Boosters and mail to 333 Yosemite Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565. They would be most apprecia-tive for your support.

CalRTA T-Shirts for Sale“Teachers Never Stop Caring” black and white with

CalRTA patch T-Shirts with www.CalRTA.org on the back are available in sizes Large, Extra Large, 2 Extra Large and 3 Extra Large. Just perfect for visiting California Legislators locally this spring and in Washington, D.C. on Advocacy Day, April 26, 2017. Order yours today, taxes and

postage included. This is a great way to Brand CalRTA with the public. Send your orders and checks at $25.00 each payable to CalRTA–Div.52 to B. Diskowski.

MembershipLorrie OsbornDiablo Vista Totals through January 31, 2017

Dues Deduct 585Cash Members 433Life Members 51Total 1,069Unpaid Cash Members 48

Financial Secretary, Patty Waddington, dispays the CalRTA T-Shirt.

Welcome New MembersArlene AddisonSheri Bensen

Elsie BuchwaldPaul Crissey

Judith DisbrowDenise Killeen

Liz KimSusan Mello

Daniel NavaretteMonika SiegelFred Spitaleri

Elizabeth StineSilloo TaraporeKarlis VeidinsMelody Wine

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Luncheon MeetingPlease note that any reservations postmarked or phoned after the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee. You are encouraged to make your luncheon reservations ASAP to avoid last minute problems. NO reservations will be accepted on the day of the luncheon.) (Whether by phone or mail, a reservation paid is a reservation made!)

11:00 a.m. Social Hour12:00 p.m. Luncheon, Business Meeting1:00 p.m. ProgramReservation deadline: March 25, 2017 Mail check to Betty Hodge

Oakhurst Country Club1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton, 94517

(Remember to carpool!)$26.00 payable to CalRTA-52

NAME

FREE LUNCHES TO:Gil Leveroni

Patty WaddingtonCongratulations!

MEMBER NEWMEMBER

GUEST FIRSTTIME

PORKTENDERLOIN

FLOUNDER VEGETARIANPHONE #

Please provide phone numbers for ALL guests and first time new members.

Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest!

Driving Directions to Oakhurst Country ClubFrom San Ramon, Orinda, Moraga - Hwy 680/24E to

Ygnacio Valley Rd. ramp, right turn on YV Rd., 8 miles to Clayton Rd., right turn, then 2 miles to Peacock Creek Dr. Peacock Creek Dr. is 0.3 miles past Oakhurst Dr. (overhead signage). Left turn on Peacock Creek. Oakhurst C.C. is a short distance uphill on your left. Left turn into gated en-trance. Drive slowly so you don't miss entrance. Oakhurst is a large building completely surrounded by rolling hills, and not much else.

From Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pacheco - Treat Blvd., 5 miles to Clayton Rd., right turn, 3 miles to Peacock Creek Rd.(see above). You can also access Clayton Rd. from Wil-low Pass (Sun Valley), Monument Blvd. and Concord Ave. Head south on Clayton Rd. towards the town of Clayton.

From Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood - Bailey Rd. or Kirker Pass Rd. to Clayton Rd., left turn 2 miles to Peacock Creek Drive. (See above).

To guarantee your reservations, send checks payable to Marge Hennigar. Questions: Contact Marge Hennigar,

Margaret Bradford or Adela Oldford.

Lobby Days Coming in AprilBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D. CalRTA Area IV Government Relations Co-Representative and Div.52 Legislative ChairFirst, if you have not responded to the Advocacy Survey on

the CalRTA website, please do so to make your wishes known to CalRTA regarding the most important issues you want us to concentrate on in the next two years. When signing in to the CalRTA website your ID is your member number which is written on the address label of your “Contact” magazine. And your password is your last name in lower case letters. Then log in. Go to the Advocacy Day area and you will find the survey. If you are having difficulties, please contact me and I can help you.

Lobby Days are coming up and David Walrath, our CalRTA attorney, has given us some focus points even though new is-sues surface every day. We are supportive of AARP which was actually started by some retired teachers. Although we are not a union, we support organizations that also support retired teachers’ issues of health and welfare.

The following are three areas of focus that we can use this year, or as soon as your division wants to start local visits with your federal representatives, and/or their staff people. They also will be very valuable people to know and communicate with this spring.

quality health care (this includes by reference no repeal of the benefits in the ACA). This also includes helping AARP in their campaign to protect Medicare.

Be a part of a group of members visiting the local offices of our Federal Representatives. Contact Linda Hall or me and we can help you arrange a meeting lo-cally, which would take about an hour. Go to our Divi-sion 52 website at: div52.calrta.org and you will find local news, as well as state news, photos, updates on activities and talking points or contact us.

A New Political SeasonLinda Rae Hall, Div.52, Legislative Co-Chair

The Legislation Committee hit the ground running early in the New Year with an Area IV Government Rela-tions Planning Meeting at the home of our President, Barbara Diskowski. Representatives from eight CalRTA Divisions met to organize an Advoca-cy Day Action Team in order to visit Federal Legislators at both their Wash-

ington DC and local offices this spring, and to lobby for CalRTA goals concerning the strengthening, protection and inclusiveness of Social Security and Medicare.

Our next goal was to lobby our CA State Legislators to help convince Governor Brown that 250,000 CA retired teachers deserve representation on the CalSTRS Govern-ing Board – a fact he has ignored for nearly three years, as he refuses to fill the vacant retiree position on a Board of 12 members. Thank you to these Div 52 members who participated in our first Write-In Campaign Event of the New Year in late January: Barbara Diskowski, Lorrie Os-born, Marge Hennigar, Karen Yee, Cal Fagerbourg, Jeanne Walker, Pat Charley, Mark Balkar, and Linda Hall. And

thanks also to our 100 members who wrote postcards at our Div 52 February Luncheon Meeting at the Pleasant Hill Community Center – nearly 200 post cards were mailed off to Sacramento!

It was comforting to see so many of our members walking in solidarity to support Human Rights at the Million Women March in Walnut Creek on Janu-ary 21st. (photo left) It takes true grit to activate your civil rights in order to demonstrate the courage of your convictions! March On!

In AppreciationThank you to those who have made gifts to the Scholarship Foundation in honor or in memory of members of the teaching profession and loved ones. (Gifts made from 12/12/16 – 2/6/17).

In Memory of: Donor:Nancy Piedmonte Ron & Joan Redding Nancy Piedmonte Iola O’GradyMichelle & Karen Johnson Diane JohnsonGene Sanchez Joanne WilkinsonBetty Lambert Templeton Ernie CoffmanBetty Lambert Templeton Fred & Georgine Sullivan Betty Lambert Templeton Edith WargoBetty Lambert Templeton Jeanne Walker Betty Lambert Templeton Joan ThisiusBetty Lambert Templeton Dan & Sharon TempletonBetty Lambert Templeton David TempletonBetty Lambert Templeton Betty MartellBetty Lambert Templeton Jerry & Caroline SmithBetty Lambert Templeton Janice SederBetty Lambert Templeton Larry & Judy Foster Betty Lambert Templeton B. Horn & E. JohnsonHelen Steers Joan ThisiusFrank Scott Joan ThisiusMrs. Billie Hadley Bill & Sandy HansenLauren Fickett Gail JenningsBud Brinkerhoff Joan ThisiusPat Wert Joan ThisiusDick Allen Bill & Sandy HansenDick Allen Susanne Chambers-JohnsonCarolyn Fokkema Barbara GroenveldNorma Therkelson Joan Thisius

Page 6 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 3CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Scholarship Foundation GiftGifts may be as memorials, in honor of someone or to assist

the Foundation in recognition of worthy students.

This Donation is Made In honor of In memory of

Name

A memorial or celebration card will be sent with no mention of amount to the person(s) you name below:

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

Make check payable and mail to:Diablo Vista Scholarship FoundationP.O. Box 4292, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Memorials and Honors will appear in the newsletter, but amounts will not appear. Your gift is tax deductible. Please provide your information below.

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

California Retired Teachers Membership Enrollment FormMail to: Lorrie Osborn

Name: Phone: ( ) Email:

Address: City: State/Zip:

Social Security # (required for Dues Deduct* only) District retired from:

New Member or Renewing Member in Diablo Vista Division 52

Please check your selected payment method: *Dues deduction of $4.50 monthly: I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) to deduct my Association dues. Should the amount of dues be

adjusted, as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTA business office, in writing, to the contrary. To terminate dues deduction, I agree to make my request in writing to the CalRTA office.

Cash: $54 annually (Include a $54 one-time check payable to CalRTA.)

Signature Date

Scholarship Foundation NewsScholarship Foundation Board Members decided at their

January meeting to award nine two-year scholarships of $5,000 each for 2017. The selection committee in March will be receiving, processing and presenting to the Foun-dation Board for approval, the names of those selected to receive scholarships from DVC and LMC.

Six of the scholarships will be funded by the foundation mainly from generous donations that come from our mem-bers. The seventh one is the Barbara Riggins Perpetual Scholarship Endowment Fund for a re-entry woman. Bar-bara passed away a couple of years ago, but this scholarship will continue to be given in her name from her fund. The re-

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

-Dr. Seuss

"Anger is never without Reason,but seldom with a good one."

-Benjamin Franklin

April - May 2017 April - May 2017

maining two are each 1-year scholarships and will be iden-tified as The Ted Brekke and Orville Thisius Scholarships. As far as is known, the number and total dollar amount in-volved this year is, by far, greater than any of the 80+ divi-sions in the state that have Scholarship Foundations.

These scholarships are contingent on the recipients being enrolled ‘full time’ at the ‘transferred to’ institution car-rying a full course of study leading to a degree. They are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, community service, leadership, citizenship, and the extent of financial need without regard to race, religion, gender or age except the scholarship for the re-entry women, which is partially based on gender and age. Scholarships are reviewed and renewed every semester or every term for two years. Schol-arship award funds are dispersed on a quarter or semester basis after the foundation treasurer has received the recipi-ent’s certified enrollment and class schedule.

Members of the DV Scholarship Foundation Selection Committee are: Nellie Hinds, Darrel Leckliter, Ron Red-ding, Joan Thisius (Chair) and Jeanne Walker.

Friends Walk TogetherFriends Walk Together

Lobby Days Coming in AprilBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D. CalRTA Area IV Government Relations Co-Representative and Div.52 Legislative ChairFirst, if you have not responded to the Advocacy Survey on

the CalRTA website, please do so to make your wishes known to CalRTA regarding the most important issues you want us to concentrate on in the next two years. When signing in to the CalRTA website your ID is your member number which is written on the address label of your “Contact” magazine. And your password is your last name in lower case letters. Then log in. Go to the Advocacy Day area and you will find the survey. If you are having difficulties, please contact me and I can help you.

Lobby Days are coming up and David Walrath, our CalRTA attorney, has given us some focus points even though new is-sues surface every day. We are supportive of AARP which was actually started by some retired teachers. Although we are not a union, we support organizations that also support retired teachers’ issues of health and welfare.

The following are three areas of focus that we can use this year, or as soon as your division wants to start local visits with your federal representatives, and/or their staff people. They also will be very valuable people to know and communicate with this spring.

quality health care (this includes by reference no repeal of the benefits in the ACA). This also includes helping AARP in their campaign to protect Medicare.

Be a part of a group of members visiting the local offices of our Federal Representatives. Contact Linda Hall or me and we can help you arrange a meeting lo-cally, which would take about an hour. Go to our Divi-sion 52 website at: div52.calrta.org and you will find local news, as well as state news, photos, updates on activities and talking points or contact us.

Steve OlsonJean Wood Betty HodgeJoanne HauklandMarilyn Walsh

Steven & Kathleen VanDerHaeghenCarolyn FagerbourgJohn GravellMargie Carlos

Scholarship Foundation Annual Appeal

Page 4 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 5CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Membership News UpdateLorrie Osborn On Tuesday, March 14th, our Division 52

will host a pre-retirement workshop for active teachers nearing retirement at Los Medanos College from 3:45-6:00 p.m. Our event is called “Demystifying Retire-ment” and is free to all participants. At the time of this writing, 80 folks have com-pleted the online registration to attend,

and we may have as many as 100! Educators attending are from Pittsburg USD, Brentwood USD, Liberty Union HSD, Contra Costa Office of Education, and the Community Col-lege District. Because our division covers 19 districts, we can only invite a few districts at a time. If our event is well-re-ceived, we will certainly spread out and host more like it in different areas.

We are modeling our event after workshops done by other divisions. We’ll introduce CalRTA to our participants and then the main speaker, Valerie Washington from CalSTRS, will present information about calculating pensions, planning for retirement, and receiving benefits. There will be a question/answer session as well.

An event like this takes a lot of planning and action. I’d like to thank the committee for working on this for the past several months. They are: Barbara Diskowski, Linda Hall, Karen Yee, Patty Waddington, Rita Goldman, Cal Fagerbourg, Pat Sea-man, and Lorrie Osborn.

It takes a team to make this happen and we still need more help! If you can give us a couple of hours of your time, we need people to organize folders, hang signs and decorate, put out food and beverages, greet the participants, clean-up and more. If you’d like to help, please call Lorrie or email jalos-born@gmail.com. And thanks to those of you who have al-ready agreed to help. We believe this event will be of great service to our education community!

Directory ChangesPlease note this new information in your directories. Name

changes can only be made by the person by calling CalRTA at 1-800-523-2782 or writing to CalRTA Office, 800 Howe Ave., Suite 370, Sacramento, CA 95825.

Lou Bronzan

Michael A. Giovannini

Kleanthy C. Gonos

Kathleen Jacobsen

Betsy R. Kerr

Richard Y. Kerr

William Pence

Albert E. Scott

Fred Story

Fran Strykowski

Our Golden AgersIn response to a previous request to help us identify our

Golden Agers – members who are 90 years or older – we re-ceived several additional names. Those on the list will be our honored guests at the April luncheon meeting and are entitled to a complimentary lunch.Our records show that the following are Golden Agers. If your name or the name of someone you know is not on the list but should be, call Gil Leveroni.

Norris Adams Jean AndersonBeryl Bates John BedecarreCharles BloomerPatricia BoutellClark BrownForrest BrownAlice BunnAnnabelle ClonerFlorence DarnellEdward DonahueSarah Dunlop

Paul EckelsFrancis FreyEdgar FrimannTose GrierAdeline GunnersonMarie HowellVerna KruseTom LawrenceRhoda McDanielCatherine MessersmithDoris MullenIola O’Grady Janet Perkins

Jane PetersonMarie PrichettElaine RenasAlbert ScottPierrette SpetzBarbara StevensBetty Sullivan Ruth Von GoertzDoris WebsterClaudia WhitnahMargaret WilcoxBernice Woodhead

Q. What is the only food that does not spoil?Q. Honey!The tooth is the only part of the human body

that cannot heal itself.

April - May 2017 April - May 2017

Who is Laura E. Settle?Why was Laura Settle chosen a couple of years ago by our

executive board as a name change for our Honorary Merit Award? The following is information about her. We are confident that you will also deem her as a worthy selection.

Laura E. Settle was a pioneer for California retired teachers. She paved the way for our present State Teachers Retirement System. In 1925 she retired after 30 years of teaching. In 1914 the state of California had enacted the first pensions for retired teachers, alloting them only $42.00 per month, paid in quarterly installments. Laura decided to improve the compensation for herself and ultimately for us today. She was a woman with vision, plenty of confidence, zeal and courage. She was opposed to comments like, "It is not up to the people of California to support retired teachers. The American system is to pay for work done, and it is a gift of public funds to pay when no services are being offered." Do these themes sound familiar today?

Resources for CalRTA MembersThe CalRTA Membership Recruitment and Resources

Committee is glad to find and pass along helpful and pertinent information regarding issues facing retirees/seniors. This information is constantly changing but we hope this is of use to you.

1. General Resources InformationThe California Department of Aging contracts with and

provides leadership and direction to Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that coordinates a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities at the community level and serves as the focal point for local aging concerns. www.aging.ca.gov/programsproviders/aaa

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) provides free and objective information and counseling about Medicare. Volunteer counselors can help you understand your specific rights and health care options. HICAP offers free educational presentations to groups of Medicare beneficiaries and their families on a variety of Medicare and other health insurance related topics. www.cahealthadvocates.org/hicap

U.S. Administration on Aging - Principal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.aoa.gov

2. Health and Safety Information

Maintain information of all medications you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. Keep your Medicare and Medical information current. Vial of Life: Available from American Red Cross and other groups. It makes lifesaving medical information easily available to emergency first responders. For help and assistance, contact your county’s HICAP office (See the GENERAL INFORMATION above).

Bring your Medicare ID card, your supplemen-tal insurance card and your list of medications

For informa-tion, contact your county Council on Aging/Area Agency on Aging or your local chapter of AARP. Contact your phy-sician for information.

For help in resolving nursing home complaints in long-term care facilities, contact your local Council on Aging/Area Agency on Aging to recommend an investigative OM-BUDSMAN.

for dementia care and support. 2342 Oak Street, Falls Church, VA 22046

Laura E. Settle Merit AwardLorraine Force, Past President of Diablo Vista (1997-99),

originated the Laura E. Settle Merit Award, formerly called the Honorary Merit Award.

Under Lorraine's guidance a committee was formed and standing rules were written for this award. It is the highest honor that Division 52 can bestow on its members. It is given to a long-time member who has given exceptional service to the organization and/or education in general.

The award is in the form of two plaques. There is an individual plaque and a group plaque. The group plaque is on display at the County Office of Education. They were designed by Eloise Honett and are made of wood and engraved with gold and blue.

Past recipients were Lloyd and Mary Jane Gass (1999), Dan Pope (2000), Eloise Honett (2001), Mario Beria (2002), Anne Frimann (2003), Dick Bergamini (2004), Lorraine Force (2005), Jackie DeGroodt (2006), Betty Hodge (2007),

Jean Warren (2008), Bill and Sandy Hansen (2009), Chuck and Shirley Parent (2010), Joan Conley (2011), Alpha Quincy (2012), Joan Thisius (2013), Clayton Ross (2014), Gil Leveroni (2015), and Ed & Marge Hennigar (2016). Please join us on April 5th at Oakhurst Country Club and find out who our 2017 recipient will be.

Scholarship Recipient UpdateI had a pleasant first semester at Sac. State. It’s a pretty

diverse campus and all my teachers were great. I’m taking Criminal Justice classes along with a Recreation/Leisure and a Sign Language class. I’m also taking an online class at San Francisco Community College.

We learned in my recreation class how important leisure education is and how it could be incorporated more in schools and work. I personally learned how to be more productive with my time, and I now have a greater sense of awareness about choosing leisure activities. I’m very excited about my signing class. This is my first attempt with it and so far so good. I can tell the signing may not be the issue, but rather the reading of it.

I wanted to also let you know the wonderful opportunities this scholarship is helping me obtain. Thank you so much!

-Dannesha Lewis, 2016 Recipient

For the Good of the MembersOUR VISION: Retired educators join CalRTA Diablo

Vista to keep in touch with friends and colleagues, to con-tinue their support for public schools, to provide financial aid to continuing students and to secure and enhance their own lives in retirement.

SUNSHINE. If you know of a member's hospitalization, illness, bereavement, etc., please telephone Nellie Hinds so an appropriate message may be sent. If you know of a mem-ber who is homebound, please let Nellie know so that she can lighten their hearts and brighten their day and let them know they have friends who care.

Page 4 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 5CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Membership News UpdateLorrie Osborn On Tuesday, March 14th, our Division 52

will host a pre-retirement workshop for active teachers nearing retirement at Los Medanos College from 3:45-6:00 p.m. Our event is called “Demystifying Retire-ment” and is free to all participants. At the time of this writing, 80 folks have com-pleted the online registration to attend,

and we may have as many as 100! Educators attending are from Pittsburg USD, Brentwood USD, Liberty Union HSD, Contra Costa Office of Education, and the Community Col-lege District. Because our division covers 19 districts, we can only invite a few districts at a time. If our event is well-re-ceived, we will certainly spread out and host more like it in different areas.

We are modeling our event after workshops done by other divisions. We’ll introduce CalRTA to our participants and then the main speaker, Valerie Washington from CalSTRS, will present information about calculating pensions, planning for retirement, and receiving benefits. There will be a question/answer session as well.

An event like this takes a lot of planning and action. I’d like to thank the committee for working on this for the past several months. They are: Barbara Diskowski, Linda Hall, Karen Yee, Patty Waddington, Rita Goldman, Cal Fagerbourg, Pat Sea-man, and Lorrie Osborn.

It takes a team to make this happen and we still need more help! If you can give us a couple of hours of your time, we need people to organize folders, hang signs and decorate, put out food and beverages, greet the participants, clean-up and more. If you’d like to help, please call Lorrie or email jalos-born@gmail.com. And thanks to those of you who have al-ready agreed to help. We believe this event will be of great service to our education community!

Directory ChangesPlease note this new information in your directories. Name

changes can only be made by the person by calling CalRTA at 1-800-523-2782 or writing to CalRTA Office, 800 Howe Ave., Suite 370, Sacramento, CA 95825.

Lou Bronzan

Michael A. Giovannini

Kleanthy C. Gonos

Kathleen Jacobsen

Betsy R. Kerr

Richard Y. Kerr

William Pence

Albert E. Scott

Fred Story

Fran Strykowski

Our Golden AgersIn response to a previous request to help us identify our

Golden Agers – members who are 90 years or older – we re-ceived several additional names. Those on the list will be our honored guests at the April luncheon meeting and are entitled to a complimentary lunch.Our records show that the following are Golden Agers. If your name or the name of someone you know is not on the list but should be, call Gil Leveroni.

Norris Adams Jean AndersonBeryl Bates John BedecarreCharles BloomerPatricia BoutellClark BrownForrest BrownAlice BunnAnnabelle ClonerFlorence DarnellEdward DonahueSarah Dunlop

Paul EckelsFrancis FreyEdgar FrimannTose GrierAdeline GunnersonMarie HowellVerna KruseTom LawrenceRhoda McDanielCatherine MessersmithDoris MullenIola O’Grady Janet Perkins

Jane PetersonMarie PrichettElaine RenasAlbert ScottPierrette SpetzBarbara StevensBetty Sullivan Ruth Von GoertzDoris WebsterClaudia WhitnahMargaret WilcoxBernice Woodhead

Q. What is the only food that does not spoil?Q. Honey!The tooth is the only part of the human body

that cannot heal itself.

April - May 2017 April - May 2017

Who is Laura E. Settle?Why was Laura Settle chosen a couple of years ago by our

executive board as a name change for our Honorary Merit Award? The following is information about her. We are confident that you will also deem her as a worthy selection.

Laura E. Settle was a pioneer for California retired teachers. She paved the way for our present State Teachers Retirement System. In 1925 she retired after 30 years of teaching. In 1914 the state of California had enacted the first pensions for retired teachers, alloting them only $42.00 per month, paid in quarterly installments. Laura decided to improve the compensation for herself and ultimately for us today. She was a woman with vision, plenty of confidence, zeal and courage. She was opposed to comments like, "It is not up to the people of California to support retired teachers. The American system is to pay for work done, and it is a gift of public funds to pay when no services are being offered." Do these themes sound familiar today?

Resources for CalRTA MembersThe CalRTA Membership Recruitment and Resources

Committee is glad to find and pass along helpful and pertinent information regarding issues facing retirees/seniors. This information is constantly changing but we hope this is of use to you.

1. General Resources InformationThe California Department of Aging contracts with and

provides leadership and direction to Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that coordinates a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities at the community level and serves as the focal point for local aging concerns. www.aging.ca.gov/programsproviders/aaa

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) provides free and objective information and counseling about Medicare. Volunteer counselors can help you understand your specific rights and health care options. HICAP offers free educational presentations to groups of Medicare beneficiaries and their families on a variety of Medicare and other health insurance related topics. www.cahealthadvocates.org/hicap

U.S. Administration on Aging - Principal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.aoa.gov

2. Health and Safety Information

Maintain information of all medications you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. Keep your Medicare and Medical information current. Vial of Life: Available from American Red Cross and other groups. It makes lifesaving medical information easily available to emergency first responders. For help and assistance, contact your county’s HICAP office (See the GENERAL INFORMATION above).

Bring your Medicare ID card, your supplemen-tal insurance card and your list of medications

For informa-tion, contact your county Council on Aging/Area Agency on Aging or your local chapter of AARP. Contact your phy-sician for information.

For help in resolving nursing home complaints in long-term care facilities, contact your local Council on Aging/Area Agency on Aging to recommend an investigative OM-BUDSMAN.

for dementia care and support. 2342 Oak Street, Falls Church, VA 22046

Laura E. Settle Merit AwardLorraine Force, Past President of Diablo Vista (1997-99),

originated the Laura E. Settle Merit Award, formerly called the Honorary Merit Award.

Under Lorraine's guidance a committee was formed and standing rules were written for this award. It is the highest honor that Division 52 can bestow on its members. It is given to a long-time member who has given exceptional service to the organization and/or education in general.

The award is in the form of two plaques. There is an individual plaque and a group plaque. The group plaque is on display at the County Office of Education. They were designed by Eloise Honett and are made of wood and engraved with gold and blue.

Past recipients were Lloyd and Mary Jane Gass (1999), Dan Pope (2000), Eloise Honett (2001), Mario Beria (2002), Anne Frimann (2003), Dick Bergamini (2004), Lorraine Force (2005), Jackie DeGroodt (2006), Betty Hodge (2007),

Jean Warren (2008), Bill and Sandy Hansen (2009), Chuck and Shirley Parent (2010), Joan Conley (2011), Alpha Quincy (2012), Joan Thisius (2013), Clayton Ross (2014), Gil Leveroni (2015), and Ed & Marge Hennigar (2016). Please join us on April 5th at Oakhurst Country Club and find out who our 2017 recipient will be.

Scholarship Recipient UpdateI had a pleasant first semester at Sac. State. It’s a pretty

diverse campus and all my teachers were great. I’m taking Criminal Justice classes along with a Recreation/Leisure and a Sign Language class. I’m also taking an online class at San Francisco Community College.

We learned in my recreation class how important leisure education is and how it could be incorporated more in schools and work. I personally learned how to be more productive with my time, and I now have a greater sense of awareness about choosing leisure activities. I’m very excited about my signing class. This is my first attempt with it and so far so good. I can tell the signing may not be the issue, but rather the reading of it.

I wanted to also let you know the wonderful opportunities this scholarship is helping me obtain. Thank you so much!

-Dannesha Lewis, 2016 Recipient

For the Good of the Members Retired educators join CalRTA Diablo

Vista to keep in touch with friends and colleagues, to con-tinue their support for public schools, to provide financial aid to continuing students and to secure and enhance their own lives in retirement.

If you know of a member's hospitalization, illness, bereavement, etc., please telephone Nellie Hinds so an appropriate message may be sent. If you know of a mem-ber who is homebound, please let Nellie know so that she can lighten their hearts and brighten their day and let them know they have friends who care.

Lobby Days Coming in AprilBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D. CalRTA Area IV Government Relations Co-Representative and Div.52 Legislative ChairFirst, if you have not responded to the Advocacy Survey on

the CalRTA website, please do so to make your wishes known to CalRTA regarding the most important issues you want us to concentrate on in the next two years. When signing in to the CalRTA website your ID is your member number which is written on the address label of your “Contact” magazine. And your password is your last name in lower case letters. Then log in. Go to the Advocacy Day area and you will find the survey. If you are having difficulties, please contact me and I can help you.

Lobby Days are coming up and David Walrath, our CalRTA attorney, has given us some focus points even though new is-sues surface every day. We are supportive of AARP which was actually started by some retired teachers. Although we are not a union, we support organizations that also support retired teachers’ issues of health and welfare.

The following are three areas of focus that we can use this year, or as soon as your division wants to start local visits with your federal representatives, and/or their staff people. They also will be very valuable people to know and communicate with this spring.

quality health care (this includes by reference no repeal of the benefits in the ACA). This also includes

Be a part of a group of members visiting the local offices of our Federal Representatives. Contact Linda Hall or me and we can help you arrange a meeting lo-cally, which would take about an hour. Go to our Divi-sion 52 website at: div52.calrta.org and you will find local news, as well as state news, photos, updates on activities and talking points or contact us.

A New Political SeasonLinda Rae Hall, Div.52, Legislative Co-Chair

The Legislation Committee hit the ground running early in the New Year with an Area IV Government Rela-

of our President, Barbara Diskowski. Representatives from eight CalRTA Divisions met to organize an Advoca-cy Day Action Team in order to visit Federal Legislators at both their Wash-

ington DC and local offices this spring, and to lobby for CalRTA goals concerning the strengthening, protection and

CA State Legislators to help convince Governor Brown that 250,000 CA retired teachers deserve representation on the CalSTRS Govern-ing Board – a fact he has ignored for nearly three years, as he refuses to fill the vacant retiree position on a Board of 12 members. Thank you to these Div 52 members who

-

thanks also to our 100 members who wrote postcards at our Div

at the Pleasant Hill Community Center – nearly 200 post cards were mailed off to Sacramento!

It was comforting to see so many of our members walking in solidarity to support Human Rights at the Million Women March in Walnut Creek on Janu-ary 21st. (photo left) It takes true grit to activate your civil rights in order to demonstrate the courage

In AppreciationThank you to those who have made gifts to the Scholarship Foundation in honor or in memory of members of the teaching profession and loved ones. (Gifts made from 12/12/16 – 2/6/17).

In Memory of: Donor:Nancy Piedmonte Ron & Joan Redding

Gene Sanchez Joanne Wilkinson

Betty Lambert Templeton Fred & Georgine Sullivan

Betty Lambert Templeton Jeanne Walker Betty Lambert Templeton Joan ThisiusBetty Lambert Templeton Dan & Sharon TempletonBetty Lambert Templeton David Templeton

Betty Lambert Templeton Jerry & Caroline SmithBetty Lambert Templeton Janice SederBetty Lambert Templeton Larry & Judy Foster

Helen Steers Joan ThisiusFrank Scott Joan Thisius

Lauren Fickett Gail JenningsBud Brinkerhoff Joan ThisiusPat Wert Joan ThisiusDick Allen Bill & Sandy HansenDick Allen Susanne Chambers-JohnsonCarolyn Fokkema Barbara GroenveldNorma Therkelson Joan Thisius

Page 6 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 3CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Scholarship Foundation GiftGifts may be as memorials, in honor of someone or to assist

the Foundation in recognition of worthy students.

This Donation is Made In honor of In memory of

Name

A memorial or celebration card will be sent with no mention of amount to the person(s) you name below:

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

Make check payable and mail to:Diablo Vista Scholarship FoundationP.O. Box 4292, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Memorials and Honors will appear in the newsletter, but amounts will not appear. Your gift is tax deductible. Please provide your information below.

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

California Retired Teachers Membership Enrollment FormMail to: Lorrie Osborn

Name: Phone: ( ) Email:

Address: City: State/Zip:

Social Security # (required for Dues Deduct* only) District retired from:

New Member or Renewing Member in Diablo Vista Division 52

Please check your selected payment method: *Dues deduction of $4.50 monthly: I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) to deduct my Association dues. Should the amount of dues be

adjusted, as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTA business office, in writing, to the contrary. To terminate dues deduction, I agree to make my request in writing to the CalRTA office.

Cash: $54 annually (Include a $54 one-time check payable to CalRTA.)

Signature Date

Scholarship Foundation News

January meeting to award nine two-year scholarships of

will be receiving, processing and presenting to the Foun-dation Board for approval, the names of those selected to

Six of the scholarships will be funded by the foundation mainly from generous donations that come from our mem-bers. The seventh one is the Barbara Riggins Perpetual

-bara passed away a couple of years ago, but this scholarship will continue to be given in her name from her fund. The re-

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

-Dr. Seuss

"Anger is never without Reason,but seldom with a good one."

-Benjamin Franklin

April - May 2017 April - May 2017

maining two are each 1-year scholarships and will be iden-

As far as is known, the number and total dollar amount in-volved this year is, by far, greater than any of the 80+ divi-sions in the state that have Scholarship Foundations.

These scholarships are contingent on the recipients being enrolled ‘full time’ at the ‘transferred to’ institution car-rying a full course of study leading to a degree. They are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, community service, leadership, citizenship, and the extent of financial need without regard to race, religion, gender or age except the scholarship for the re-entry women, which is partially based on gender and age. Scholarships are reviewed and renewed every semester or every term for two years. Schol-arship award funds are dispersed on a quarter or semester basis after the foundation treasurer has received the recipi-ent’s certified enrollment and class schedule.

Committee are: Nellie Hinds, Darrel Leckliter, Ron Red-ding, Joan Thisius (Chair) and Jeanne Walker.

Friends Walk TogetherFriends Walk Together

Lobby Days Coming in AprilBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D. CalRTA Area IV Government Relations Co-Representative and Div.52 Legislative ChairFirst, if you have not responded to the Advocacy Survey on

the CalRTA website, please do so to make your wishes known to CalRTA regarding the most important issues you want us to concentrate on in the next two years. When signing in to the CalRTA website your ID is your member number which is written on the address label of your “Contact” magazine. And your password is your last name in lower case letters. Then log in. Go to the Advocacy Day area and you will find the survey. If you are having difficulties, please contact me and I can help you.

Lobby Days are coming up and David Walrath, our CalRTA attorney, has given us some focus points even though new is-sues surface every day. We are supportive of AARP which was actually started by some retired teachers. Although we are not a union, we support organizations that also support retired teachers’ issues of health and welfare.

The following are three areas of focus that we can use this year, or as soon as your division wants to start local visits with your federal representatives, and/or their staff people. They also will be very valuable people to know and communicate with this spring.

quality health care (this includes by reference no repeal of the benefits in the ACA). This also includes

Be a part of a group of members visiting the local offices of our Federal Representatives. Contact Linda Hall or me and we can help you arrange a meeting lo-cally, which would take about an hour. Go to our Divi-sion 52 website at: div52.calrta.org and you will find local news, as well as state news, photos, updates on activities and talking points or contact us. Jean Wood

Betty HodgeJoanne Haukland

Carolyn FagerbourgJohn Gravell

Scholarship Foundation Annual Appeal

Page 2 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Little Red School HouseLuncheon February 1, 2017

Little Red School House $205.00(proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund) Luncheon Attendance: 101

Page 7CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Day Trips 2017DATE CHANGE: April 14, 2017 - Elkhorn Slough: Price change $70. This is the best time of year for viewing the animals and birds on our boat cruise in the slough, PLUS, an easy guided walking tour to view the whole slough! Lunch OYO. Ed and I will be going back to Phil's Fish House. Call right away in case there is still room.

May 31, 2017 - SF Theater Outing - Roman Holiday at the Golden Gate. Cost: $80. per ticket, only 17 tickets available. BART, lunch OYO. TBA Payment due April 1, 2017.

June 15, 2017 - Captain Morgan's Delta Cruise: 2 1/2 hour narrated Delta Cruise to Stockton, lunch at Garlic Brothers on the dock, Cost $120. includes round trip cruise, lunch, and bus. Payment due. Wait list.

July 8, 2017 - Angel Island Tram Tour: Cost to be determined by the number of folks. CHOICE 1: bus to Tiburon, lunch, ferry and tour of Angel Island. 35 folks needed for bus. CHOICE 2: Bart to SF, Ferry to Angel Island, lunch TBA. Deadline: April 16, 2017. Call Margaret.

August 16, 2017 - Filoli: Guided tour, tennis court catered lunch.This will be our first trip to see summer gardens. Cost: $95. Incl: lunch $45., entrance, tour $15., bus $35.

DATE CHANGE - September 26, 2017 - VENUE CHANGE : Monterey Aquarium: Cost: $40., Bus $35., est. unless we get coupons. Total $75. Lunch OYO.

October 14, 2017 - Jack London State Park: Tour in golf cart, lunch in Glen Ellen, Tour Downtown Sonoma. Cost: $85. Incl. bus, parking for bus, park entrance, guide, lunch. Payment due Aug. 16, 2017.

November 16, 2017 - Black Diamond Mines, Downtown Clayton: Incl. Museum. This trip will be guided by our own Adela Oldford and JoAnne Caspar. Cost $15. incl. mine and museum. Lunch at La Veranda OYO. Carpool. To reserve your spot call Adela.

December 2, 2017 - Christmas Tea, air museum & surprise tour.Cost: Bus, tea, museum, tour: est. $90.

Senior SafarisMarge & Ed Hennigar, Safari DirectorsThe following trips are planned for the members of Diablo

Vista - Div. 52 and their friends. For more information and/or a flyer, please call Ed and Marge Hennigar or email: mhen-nigar@sbcglobal.net. For day trip information, contact either Marge or Adela Oldford.

Washington DC: April 27-May 4, 2017; Harrington Hotel $159. per night, own air, SWA. Call Marge for more information.

3rd Annual Ashland Trip: September 2-8, 2017. Oregon Shakespeare Festival and more! Choice of 11 plays, Britt Mu-sic Festival, Cabaret Theater, Jet Boat ride, Ashland Springs Hotel downtown, dbl room size choices. Estimate for 7 days 6 nights, about $200. pp, per day for room, plays, some meals. Final planning meeting with cost sheets on Wed., May 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Denny's on Willow Pass Road.

Update! Changes! Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel, Niagra Falls!: October 13-20, 2017. Visit this unique island in Michi-gan, stepping back in time! No cars! Horse drawn carrige ride, Henry Ford Museum, Frankinmuth, MI Greenfield Village, Hydro floral clock, more! Home pickup, round trip air, Talbot Tours: (800) 663-9933.

Discover Thailand: Nov. 1-16, 2017. OAT-Questions? There is one shared space available. Call Margaret Bradford for

information.

Treasurer’s ReportRita Goldman, TreasurerFinancial Report for Period 12/1/16 - 1/31/17Checking Acct. Balance Western CU (11/30/16) 583.00INCOME

State Dues 2,679.00Luncheons 4,179.00See’s Candy 2,413.00Miscellaneous 25.00 $9,296.00Total Income for Period $9,879.00

DISBURSEMENTSBudgeted Items 820.00Luncheons 3,395.00See's Candy 0Total Disbursements for Period $4,215.00

Balance in Checking Acct. $5,664.00Western Money Market $10,414.00Western Savings Account $26.00TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE $16,104.00

April - May 2017April - May 2017

(continued from page 1) Please join us for some fun enter-tainment that Pat Martin, our Program Chair, has arranged for us. Until then, keep active and stay aware of your needs for Healthcare and Social Security. We will take both these needs with us to Washington, DC in late April.

Hillview Band DonationsIf anyone would like to make a donation directly to the

Hillview Band, especially those of us who attended the last luncheon, may do so by writing a check made payable to: Hillview Jr. High Band Boosters and mail to 333 Yosemite Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565. They would be most apprecia-tive for your support.

CalRTA T-Shirts for Sale“Teachers Never Stop Caring” black and white with

CalRTA patch T-Shirts with www.CalRTA.org on the back are available in sizes Large, Extra Large, 2 Extra Large and 3 Extra Large. Just perfect for visiting California Legislators locally this spring and in Washington, D.C. on Advocacy Day, April 26, 2017. Order yours today, taxes and

postage included. This is a great way to Brand CalRTA with the public. Send your orders and checks at $25.00 each payable to CalRTA–Div.52 to B. Diskowski.

MembershipLorrie OsbornDiablo Vista Totals through January 31, 2017

Dues Deduct 585Cash Members 433Life Members 51Total 1,069Unpaid Cash Members 48

Financial Secretary, Patty Waddington, dispays the CalRTA T-Shirt.

Welcome New MembersArlene AddisonSheri Bensen

Elsie BuchwaldPaul Crissey

Judith DisbrowDenise Killeen

Liz KimSusan Mello

Daniel NavaretteMonika SiegelFred Spitaleri

Elizabeth StineSilloo TaraporeKarlis VeidinsMelody Wine

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Luncheon MeetingPlease note that any reservations postmarked or phoned after the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee. You are encouraged to make your luncheon reservations ASAP to avoid last minute problems. NO reservations will be accepted on the day of the luncheon.) (Whether by phone or mail, a reservation paid is a reservation made!)

11:00 a.m. Social Hour12:00 p.m. Luncheon, Business Meeting1:00 p.m. ProgramReservation deadline: March 25, 2017 Mail check to Betty Hodge

Oakhurst Country Club1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton, 94517

(Remember to carpool!)$26.00 payable to CalRTA-52

NAME

FREE LUNCHES TO:Gil Leveroni

Patty WaddingtonCongratulations!

MEMBER NEWMEMBER

GUEST FIRSTTIME

PORKTENDERLOIN

FLOUNDER VEGETARIANPHONE #

Please provide phone numbers for ALL guests and first time new members.

Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest!

Driving Directions to Oakhurst Country ClubFrom San Ramon, Orinda, Moraga - Hwy 680/24E to

Ygnacio Valley Rd. ramp, right turn on YV Rd., 8 miles to Clayton Rd., right turn, then 2 miles to Peacock Creek Dr. Peacock Creek Dr. is 0.3 miles past Oakhurst Dr. (overhead signage). Left turn on Peacock Creek. Oakhurst C.C. is a short distance uphill on your left. Left turn into gated en-trance. Drive slowly so you don't miss entrance. Oakhurst is a large building completely surrounded by rolling hills, and not much else.

From Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pacheco - Treat Blvd., 5 miles to Clayton Rd., right turn, 3 miles to Peacock Creek Rd.(see above). You can also access Clayton Rd. from Wil-low Pass (Sun Valley), Monument Blvd. and Concord Ave. Head south on Clayton Rd. towards the town of Clayton.

From Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood - Bailey Rd. or Kirker Pass Rd. to Clayton Rd., left turn 2 miles to Peacock Creek Drive. (See above).

To guarantee your reservations, send checks payable to Marge Hennigar. Questions: Contact Marge Hennigar,

Margaret Bradford or Adela Oldford.

CalRTA - 52Diablo VistaP.O. Box 4292Walnut Creek, CA 94596-0292

T I M E D M AT E R I A L - D O N ’ T D E L AYR E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postal Paid

Concord, CA

Permit 250

Leave a MessageInfo Hotline: Barbara Diskowski B.B. Editor: Gil Leveroni Luncheons: Betty Hodge Betty’s backup: Bernie Yeghoian Trips: Marge Hennigar Membership: Lorrie Osborn Sunshine: Nellie Hinds

Division 52 Website Address:Div52.calrta.org – For quick and easy access, type div52.

calrta.org. into your internet browser. You can also access our website from calrta.org. Click on Explore CalRTA, Areas and Divisions, IV on the CA map, then Div. 52. You don’t have to log in to access any division or area website.

In Memoriam

BULLETIN BOARD

Diablo Vista Division 52, Area IVOf The California Retired Teachers Association Since 1963

Your partner in pension protection

We surely had fun at our most recent luncheon meeting at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. First, we had a brief legislative activity asking our state legis-lators to request Governor Jerry Brown to appoint a retired teacher to the STRS Board. We need a voice on this board that controls the STRS financial actions that directly affect us.

Russ Rackow read the proposed changes to our Division By-laws. A motion was made, seconded, and voted on to accept the changes as they were proposed. A copy of the Bylaws can be found on our website at div.52@calrta.com under updates. Call us if you would like a copy and send us a stamped, self -addressed envelope. Thank you for your patience through this process. In any case, we will always keep you informed of any proposed changes.

We were royally entertained by the Award Winning Hillview Junior High School Jazz Band of Pittsburg under the expert direction of Diane Kaczynski, herself a former Teacher of the Year Award Winner. The group played all the wonderful clas-sic jazz tunes of earlier times with an expert touch. They were first seen at the Teacher of the Year County Awards Dinner. We were very fortunate to have them perform for us with a complete group of brass players, drummers and pianists play-ing their best.

We are excited to announce that Tuesday, March 14, we will present a Pre-Retirement Workshop for educators who are considering retiring within the next five years. Lorrie Osborn has provided detailed information in her membership column on page 4. Our group volunteers learned how to use Google Forms from Jim Sterling, a CalRTA Director, and Maxwell Stringham at the CCCOE. These forms enable us to do online registration for our workshop attendees. I enjoyed learning about this process as it will help us with future workshops. Years ago, many of you will recall that Districts used to pro-vide these Pre-Retirement Workshops. But now, the CalRTA divisions have begun picking up this task to help teachers.

Our next luncheon will be at the Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton on Wednesday, the 5th of April. We will celebrate with our wonderful Golden Agers and present our LES Merit Award to a worthy (Diablo Vista Div. 52) recipient.

(continued on page 2)

President’s MessageBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D., President April Luncheon Meeting

Program Committee, Pat Martin, ChairApril 5, 2017 AGENDA

Place: OAKHURST COUNTRY CLUB1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton 94517

(Driving directions on page 2)Cost: $26.00 for Luncheon only (includes tax & tip)

Contact is Betty Hodge

11:00 a.m. Social Hour11:45 a.m. Luncheon & Business Meeting, Golden Agers, Laura E. Settle Merit Award Recipient1:00 p.m. Program: The Sophisticates

Reservation deadline: Saturday, March 25, 2017NOTE: Any reservations postmarked or phoned in after

the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee.

Future luncheon dates & reservation deadlines:Wednesday, June 7, 2017 – Deadline May 27, 2017

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 – Deadline July 22, 2017

Program NotesMike Spellman and Ella Wolfe have established them-

selves as one of the most in-de-

mand singing duos in Northern

California. Their relaxed, com-

fortable “supper club” style is a

hit with theater, club and private

party audiences. Before team-

ing up in 2012, Mike and Ella

were already veteran perform-

ers of 20-plus years. Together,

they have blended their singing

styles to bring out the best in

both on songs from many genres, including jazz, pop, clas-

sics, country, rock and Broadway. Mike and Ella put a tap

in your toe and a smile on your face.

April - May 2017

The BULLETIN BOARD is published bi-monthly by the

Diablo Vista Division 52 of the California Retired Teachers

Association. We are a non-profit organization which does not assume responsibility or liability for the safety or well-being

of participants in any of its activities.

President Barbara Diskowski

First Vice President Lorrie Osborn

Second Vice President Pat Martin

Recording Secretary Vivian Boyd

Corresponding Secretary Linda LaCasse/Karen Yee

Financial Secretary Patty Waddington

Treasurer Rita Goldman

Editor Gil Leveroni

Circulation Chair Ann Custer/Pat Martin

Past President Russ Rackow

Logging on to the CalRTA WebsiteVisit calrta.org – This takes you to the state association

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password as follows:

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A l s o I n Th i s I s s u eTreasurer's Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2T-Shirts For Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2Legislation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3Membership News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4Golden Agers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5Scholarship Foundation News. . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6

John Cambus Janice Costella

Diran Der-HarootunianBarbara J. Eshelman

Roger MartinMary G. McHugh

Martha McLeanJohn Osborn

Evelyn RadfordNorma D. Therkelson

Frank H. Vassallo