INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Book Club.........................................p.16

Bus Tours..........................................p.17

Calendar.............................................p.18

Cheer & Courtesy................................p.9

Communications..................................p.5

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

Ducks for Bucks................................p.13

FunRaiser.....................................p.11, 12

Have You Heard?..............................p.18

In Memory..........................................p. 9

Insurance.............................................p.2

Legislation.......................................p.3, 4

Luncheon...........................................p.15

Membership.........................................p.8

Grant Fund.......................................p.6, 7

New Member Enrollment Form..........p.8

President’s Message……..........…......p.1

Resource Services……......................p.10

Treasurer’s Report.............................p.16

Web Wanderings...............................p.13

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Volume 12 Number 2 “Your partner in pension protection..............” Spring 2015

California Retired Teachers Association Area IV Fremont, Union City, Newark Division 91

Visit the CalRTA web site www.calrta.org

CalRTA 91 web site www.calrta91.org

See page 10 for more detailed instructions

PROGRESS

Before Ronald Reagan became President and before he became Governor of California, he hosted a television program back in the 1950ʼs, General Electric Theater. The ad slogan he intoned each week was, “Progress is our most important product.” Regardless of your politics--and even though the slogan is debatable--the actor was able to capitalize on his association with progress all the way to the White House. If you've gotten this far, I can assure you that this is not an essay about the success or demerits of Reaganʼs leadership. It is, however, a comment about tradition, change, and progress, and their relationship to CalRTA Division 91. One more thing: The CalRTA Division 91 Board of Directors is working hard to maintain the success of this organization. The by-laws institute a progression of leadership. As officers and Committee Chairs retire, it is imperative that new leaders step up. At this time, this is particularly important in the progression from President-Elect to President. The offices of President-Elect and the Communications Chair are currently vacant. So take a turn. This is how we progress.

OFFICERS AND CHAIRPERSONS President: Marge Leonard Mini-Grants: Florence Griffin President Elect: Open 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 Editor: Jean Bloxsom Circulation: Carolyn Zeljak Insurance: Yvonne Brown Communications: Open Cheer/Courtesy: Florence Griffin Web Editor: Jeanette Rauscher Legislation: Stella Torrez Publicity: Stevie Moody Web Master: Jerry Sabo Ducks for Bucks: Open

Nominating Committee.: Mary Kay Henderson Communications/Technology Area IV: Mary Kay Henderson

Membership Area IV: Sharon Yool/Sheila Cooper

Membership Area IV: Sharon Yool/Sheila Cooper Book Sales: Barbara Horn

Please support our Fund Raiser, Thursday, April 23, 5:00 – 8:00 PM at

Sweet Tomatoes. Bring the flyer on page12

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT Marge Leonard

INSURANCE BITS ‘N PIECES Yvonne Brown, Insurance Chairperson

LONG-TERM CARE (LTC) UPDATE Most CalSTRS members who have LTC with CalPERS recently received information of “what’s to come” in future months--meaning decisions will need to be made for 2015 and 2016. For more information, you can contact the Customer Service Center at 1-888-877-4934 (M-F 8AM to 5PM), e-mail CalPERS LTC at calpersltc@ltcg.com, or fax 1-866-294-6966. If writing, send to CalPERS Long-Term Care at PO Box 64902, St. Paul, MN 55164-0902. MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE (MEC) (from Blue Shield) MEC is the type of health coverage an individual needs to meet the individual responsibility requirement of the Affordable Care Act. The good news is that for each month of the year that you had health coverage with Blue Shield of CA (Kaiser or another company) in 2014, either through your employer, from Covered California, or by buying it directly from Blue Shield (or another company), you met the requirement for that month. All Blue Shield of California medical plans meet the minimum essential coverage requirement. (Dental and vision plans purchased on their own, without a medical plan, do not meet the requirement.) You are required to report on your tax return whether or not you had MEC throughout 2014. If you had MEC, you do not need to send the IRS any documents to prove this. Therefore, Blue Shield (or another company) will not send you an IRS form to document your 2014 coverage. Questions? Check with your tax preparer or health insurance company. SUTTER/BLUE SHIELD Those who are Palo Alto Medical members were very relieved when Sutter and Blue Shield “settled their differences,” allowing retirees with Blue Shield insurance to continue without interruption to their health insurance coverage for at least the next two years. AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE With your car, preparing for the future with insurance is not only required, but very important. By buying insurance, as you know, you’re buying protection for yourself and your car. Should you have an accident and need to use your insurance, you have: 1.) the choice of where to have your car repaired, and 2.) whether or not to use OEM (Original Equipment Manufactured) in the repair. (Not all insurance companies will pay for OEM, but may pay a portion of the cost.) DENTAL INSURANCE If you need dental insurance, or if you have other insurance needs, contact E.J.S. Insurance Services, a CalRTA-approved insurance provider, at 1-800-841-6238. CalRTA 91 Page 2 Spring 2015

LEGISLATION Stella Torrez, Legislation Chairperson

New Congress, New Bill, Time for Action!

The House of Representatives and the Senate are starting on the two-year “114th Congress,” and new bills are being proposed. There are calls from all quarters saying that this is the year that something must be done for the solvency of Social Security. Some calls are suggesting cuts to benefits, others are demanding that benefits be increased.

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: There are new members of Congress, new aides, and new websites.

1. Go to www.house.gov and find your representative in Congress. 2. Bookmark their website. 3. Call Washington and complain. 4. Call their local office and complain, at least once a month. 5. Find the person in their D.C. office who is in charge of legislation. 6. Send them postcards (which get through security more easily) and email them. 7. Make an appointment with their district office and talk to your Congressperson or the person

in charge of their office. Do the same for your Senators. This is a vital issue. Laws prevented you from earning Social Security benefits while you were working as a public servant, and when you retired, other laws prevented you from collecting the benefits you had paid for in other work or had earned as a dependent. This is SO wrong. Tell them your story. As they look at Social Security this year, the offsets must be repealed. Last week Kevin Brady (R-Tex) introduced this bill which would reportedly lessen the effects of the WEP, but not eliminate them, H.R. 711. Future retirees would benefit more from this bill than current retirees. Congressman Brady has submitted modified WEP formulas in previous years to make it what he calls “more fair.” The text of the bill has not yet been published, and we will wait until we see it to begin to study it in detail. You will be able to find it at www.congress.gov Our Facebook page is booming: Social Security Fairness – Repeal the GPO/WEP Our website, ssfairness.com, is getting many hits.

Call, email or write your representative. Addresses on page 4

JUST WHAT IS THE GPO AND WEP?

The Government Pension Offset (GPO): If you are married to someone who is earning Social Security, you will probably lose all Social Security retirement or survivor benefits due you from taxes paid by spouse during the marriage.

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP): You can lose up to half or more of any Social Security benefits you have earned in other work, paying required FICA taxes.

CalRTA 91 Page 3 Spring 2015

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR APPOINTMENTS APRIL 14 -16 (OR ANYTIME)

FEDERAL & STATE REPRESENTATIVES :

United States President

Barack Obama president@whitehouse.gov www.whitehouse.gov

United States Senators Senator Barbara Boxer boxer.senate.gov 1-415-403-0100

Senator Dianne Feinstein feinstein.senate.gov 1-415-393-0707

United States Congresspersons in Area IV District 11 Congressman Mark DeSaulnier markdesaulnier.house.gov 510-620-1000

District 15 Congressman Eric Swalwell ericswalwell.house.gov 201-225-5065 District 3 Congressman John Garamendi johngaramendi.house.gov 707-438-1822 District 13 Congresswoman Barbara Lee barbaralee.house.gov 510-763-0770

State of California Governor Governor Jerry Brown govmail.ca.gov 916-445-2841

State Senators in Area IV District 7 (Open) senate.ca.gov

District 9 Loni Hancock senate.ca.gov 510-286-1333 District 10 Bob Wiekowski senate.ca.gov 510-577-2310

Assembly members in Area IV 11th District Jim Frazer assembly.ca.gov 925-778-5790

14th District Susan Bonilla assembly.ca.gov 925-521-1511 15th District Tony Thurmond assembly.ca.gov 510-286-1400 16th District Catharine Baker assembly.ca.gov 925-328-1515 18th District Rob Bonta assembly.ca.gov 510-286-1670 20th District Bill Quirk assembly.ca.gov 510-583-8818

CalRTA Legislative Hot Line

www.calrta.org  

800-869-2782

CalRTA 91 Page 4 Spring 2015

COMMUNICATIONS Mary Kay Henderson

Communication/Technology Chair, Area IV

Another CalRTA volunteer year has ended, and thanks to you who submitted your hours and thanks to July Molander who so graciously offered to collect those hours for our Division this year. As of this

writing, over 34,000 hours have been reported and with this new beginning--March 2015 through February, 2016--we'd ask that 100% of our membership might participate. Volunteer hours are collected from all 84 of our Divisions throughout the state, and these hours are shared for PR purposes--proof that "teachers never stop caring" about public education and our communities. At $21 per hour, it is estimated that CalRTA teachers donated 50 million dollars to our various organizations and families. (And, only approximately 20% of members submit hours.)

The 84 Divisions in California are divided in 12 Areas. The map is on our website, www.CalRTA.org. ; Division 91 is part of Area IV which includes Division #2, East Bay (Oakland and Alameda), #49, Berkeley, #52, Diablo Vista (Pleasant Hill area), #58, West Contra Costa, #59, Southern Alameda, #85, Tri-Valley, which includes Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore. Sharon Yool and I represent these seven Divisions at the State level. Sharon is the liaison for Membership Recruitment and Resources, and I am your liaison for the Communication and Technology Committee. Pat Seaman from Division #52 is our Area Director. Recently the Communication/Technology Committee revamped CalRTA's Mission Statement. Our Mission now reads: CalRTA's Mission is to protect and advocate for retired and active educators' pensions and other retirement benefits and to support education in our communities. Our tagline remains, "Your partner in pension protection", and our core purpose remains "To enhance and protect the benefits of retired educators." These succinct statements of our purpose are also used on correspondence, including newsletters, to remind teachers and future members who we are and what we can accomplish. Stella Torrez and I plan to attend Lobby Day in Washington DC, April 14 and 15. The purpose of this lobbying effort is to gain support to end the WEP/GPO--Windfall Elimination Provision/Government Pension Offset. These provisions, enacted in the 1950s, penalize two million retired workers--teachers, firefighters, police, and other state workers--who have earned Social Security benefits but are denied these earned FICA dollars. For more information, please visit www.SSFairness.com. Those who come to teaching from other professions often do not realize that their Social Security benefits will be substantially decreased if they earn a teaching credential and enter the CalSTRS system. Earned spousal pensions are also affected by these provisions. Again, more detailed information is at www.SSFairness.com. Call, email or write your representative. Addresses on page 4 Communications to be continued on page 6 CalRTA 91 Page 5 Spring 2015

$6,400 IN GRANTS AWARDED Florence Griffin - Grants Chairperson

The Board voted to award $6,000 in grants this year to the teachers in the F.U.N. Districts (Fremont, Union City, Newark). We received 101 applications and a Committee comprised of Gene and Barbara Amaral, Mary Kay Henderson, Stevie Moody, Dawn Scott, Sharon Yool, and I read the applications and awarded 25 grants up to a maximum of $300. To honor all those chosen, The Board authorized a further $400, for a total of $6,400. Letters of congratulations or regret were sent to all applicants, and checks were delivered by some of the membership. The applications were evaluated individually without regard to the school or district where the applicants teach. Fifteen Fremont teachers, ten New Haven teachers, and a science coordinator, on behalf of four teachers in Newark, received grants.

Thank you for buying books, raffle, and quilt tickets, turning in unused BART tickets, making memorial or honorary donations, using your SHARE cards, participating in Ducks for Bucks, and, hopefully, attending the upcoming Sweet Tomatoes FunRaiser in April. Retired teachers continue to make an impact on education in their old districts. Many thanks! Grant Committee - Gene and Barbara Amaral, Florence Griffin, Mary Kay Henderson, Stevie Moody, Dawn Scott, and Sharon Yool. See page 7 for a list of the recipients . Communications continued from page 5

Stella and I will meet with House of Representative members and/or their aides and explain this unfairness. We ask for their signatures on a bill to revise these offsets--these unfair take-a-ways of earned retirement monies. And, we encourage you to visit your House of Representative's local office from April 14-16 to reinforce our DC visits. Currently, we are arranging meetings with Barbara Lee, Eric Swalwell, Mike Honda, Mark DeSaulnier, Loni Hancock, Bob Wiekowski, Susan Bonilla, Tony Thurmond, Catharine Baker, Rob Bonta, Bill Quirk, and John Garamendi. There will be teachers from throughout California scheduling sit-downs with representatives, as well. Thanks for your help with this important project. Day or the Teacher is May 13 this year, and we encourage our new ambassadors to visit, and any of you who can, a local school that day, and add your appreciation to those still on the "front lines" for all that they do to further the cause. CalRTA 91 Page 6 Spring 2015

Sharon Yool; Eileen Weeks, NUSD Science Coordinator; Jesse Smith, Kennedy Science Teacher; Babette Babich, Kennedy Family Science Night Coordinator & Fourth Grade Teacher

Recipients of the Grants Awarded 2015

High School Lauren Floro, Special Education, Washington (printer/copier/scanner in classroom) David Stephenson, Social Science, Washington (updated topographical map to replace one printed in the l950’s) Emily Panico, Science, grades 11/12, Logan (take two AP Environmental classes of 72 students on field trip to Union Sanitary District to deepen their understanding and the importance of waste water to our environment) Multi-Grades Rochelle Thorne, grades 6-12, Decoto School for Independent Study (purchase books for class library) Junior High Melissa Marker, 8th grade, Science, Thornton (materials to participate in Great America Model Roller Coaster Contest as part of a physics unit) Jennifer Watson-Bird, 8th grade, English, Thornton (purchase non-fiction and historical fiction to tackle Common Core requirements and standards) Katy Carter, 7th grade, Science, Thornton (purchase cow/sheep organs so students can learn about respirator and cardiovascular functions, also new scalpels and gloves) Ben Bartel, 7th/8th grades, Special Education, Thornton, (purchase Scholastic Action magazine, language arts intervention to inspire below-level readers) Gray Bae, 8th grade, Science, Walters (purchase ten hot plates for science lab) Elementary Beate Divizich, Kindergarten, Brookvale (leveled reading books, to be shared, for kindergarten students) Anjum Mujeeb, Preschool, Glankler (language arts and math hands-on materials and manipulatives to help prepare students for kindergarten C. Lynne Barr, Preschool, Special Education, Glankler (books with CD’s)

Jenny Otrosina, Prekindergarten, Special Education, Glankler (hands-on materials and manipulatives to create a sensory motor area inside the classroom) Jamie Steele, Kindergarten/1st grade, Green (leveled reading books, fiction and non-fiction Cheryl Miller, Kindergarten, Millard (materials to implement Joyful Pathways to Accelerated Literacy and Common Core in Kindergarten, following an all-day conference in Sacramento) Kiersten Thym, Kindergarten, Warwick (purchase live animals to explore their scientific properties and incorporate their learning into Common Core writing unit) Melissa Becker, 4th grade, Warm Springs (purchase core literature books with a math focus, plus other math-related reading materials) Sarita Chawla and Erica Sims-Vinos, Kindergarten, Eastin (purchase leveled reading books for guided reading; to be shared with all kindergarten classes) Adrienne Toy, Kindergarten/1st grade, SDC, Emanuele (purchase journals, tabletop easels, magnetic alphabet, earphones for special-day class) Maureen Tecson and Colleen Paltrineri, 2nd grade, Alvarado (60 copies of Time for Kid magazine to incorporate non-fiction materials--Common Core) Kathy Wallcave, 1st grade, Kitayama (purchase six copies of ten titles for the first-grade team to share for DRA assessment) Other Kisha Marks, Literacy Coach, Kindergarten/5th grade, Pioneer (books for community members to read to students during lunch hour--Recess Reading Rallies) Carol Engberg, Media Specialist, Searles (purchase 20 new books with library binding to replace outdated books) Vera-Lisa Roberts, Literacy Coach, Kindergarten/5th grade, Kitayama (purchase 36 leveled texts in science/social studies for below-grade readers in 5th grade) Eileen Weeks, Science Coordinator, Newark (purchase materials for Family Math & Science Nights at Kennedy, Graham, Snow, and Bunker Schools Page 7 Spring 2015

MEMBERSHIP Muriel Rodrigues, Membership Chairperson

Keeping your contact information updated with us is really important, especially if you receive your newsletter via the internet. Please let a board member know if you have changed your email address, your phone number or your mailing address. Email or call Muriel, Judy Molander or Jean Bloxsom. (We’re in the CalRTA directory.) We don’t want to lose even momentary contact with you especially when a new newsletter is coming out. And at every newsletter time there are newsletters returned to CalRTA

91’s post office box because an address has been changed and we weren’t aware of that. Repeat mailing costs our division and no longer at the bulk rate. You can let us know in advance of a move or soon after you’ve settled. Email and phone changes can be quickly explained to any of us via email or phone message. Thanks very much for your help with this. Membership numbers are still a major concern to our state organization and our division. If you have contact with retired teachers that don’t yet belong to CalRTA we need you to mention us. As CalRTA State President Bill Kipp said in his recent Contact magazine article, we are all vitally important members of our recruiting team. Let potential members know that CalRTA protects our retirement but also supports the community through our volunteering and provides support to active teachers via classroom grants. Membership brochures are available at the luncheon that are more reflective of Division #91 and our work. Pick up a membership brochure to have on hand to help get our message out there. Give your newsletter to a nonmember and use the form below. Reaching eighty this year? If you or some member you know is turning eighty before mid-October this year let me know. Telling me this early means we’ll put you on the list to receive an invitation next fall for a complimentary lunch. It is not a commitment to come on the octogenarian’s part. *********************************************************************************************

New Member Enrollment Form CalRTA Division #91 www.calrta91.org Name ______________________________________________ email_____________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ Phone ( )______________________ City ____________________________State___________ Zip___________ Retired from ________________________________ When __________School ______________________ Please check your selected payment method: ___Dues Deduction $4.50 monthly Social Security Number _________________________________(required for dues deduction) I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) to deduct my association dues. Should 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 $54.00 annually ( Make Check out to CalRTA) Signature ____________________________________________________ Date______________________ Did a particular person encourage you to join CalRTA? If so, who? _____________________________________ Mail to: Muriel Rodrigues 5342 Westbury Ct. Newark, CA 94560-1353 CalRTA 91 Page 8 Spring 2015

Vera Matney by Jean Bloxsom Marge Callow by Muriel Rodrigues Marge Callow by Anne Graf Guy Emanuel by Martha Brown Vera Matney by Sheila Krishnaswamy

Jim Caelho by Sheila Krishnaswamy Marge Callow by Sharon Yool Joan Mullen by Ruth Bell Norma DeSalles by Division #91

CHEER AND COURTESY Florence Griffin, Chairperson

WE OFFER CONDOLENCES FOR THE PASSING OF: NORMA DeSALLES

DIRECTORY CHANGES: Judy Molander, Financial Secretary

LYNN BARNETT updated her email to lynniegalb@yahoo.com HELEN BOYER updated her email to helenjboyer@yahoo.com NORMA BURNS moved to 38040 3 rd Street, Fremont, CA 94536-2958 MELINDA PICKENS updated her email to mzpickens15@gmail.com JAN TEN BOSCH updated her email to gojanten@att.net STELLA TORREZ email should be torrezstella1942@yahoo.com

A Gift to CalRTA F.U.N. Division 91 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, State, 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 91 Page 9 Spring 2015

RESOURSE SERVICES Sharon Yool, Chairperson

IRS Warning of Telephone Scams

Source: Newark Police Department

This scam is continuing to hit Northern California. If you get a call regarding taxes owed, here is what the IRS and the Newark Police Department recommend that you do:

• If you think that you might owe money call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. • If you know that you don't owe taxes then call and report the incident to the Treasury

Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 For more information go to the IRS website at: www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam.

The Grandparent Scam Source: Newark Police Department

• The Grandparent Scam is on the rise again according to the Newark Police Department. Here is what the police recommend that you do:

• Don't act quickly • Try to contact a family member to determine if the call is legitimate. • NEVER wire money based on a phone call request, especially overseas. • Remind family not to mention travel plans on websites like Facebook. • Keep updated family phone numbers available.

For more information go to: www.fbi.gov/sandiego/press-releases/2012/beware-of-the-grandparent-scam.

LOG ON TO THE CalRTA WEBSITE

Visit www.calrta.org This takes you to the state association website. Mbr. ID: Found on the address label of CalRTA Contact magazine Password: Your last name Click on Login: Now you can select your topic

LOG ON TO DIVISION 91 WEBSITE

www.calrta91.org

CalRTA 91 page 10 Spring 2015

Teacher Thank You Project- Second Half in 2015

by Muriel Rodrigues In Winter 2014 we began a two-year Teacher Thank You project by taking Staples gift cards to half the schools in the tri-city area to convey our thanks for teachers’ hard work. If possible, these cards have been presented to the teachers themselves at a staff meeting. The following is a note sent to the staff of Kitayama School in Union City: Subject: California Retired Teacher Assoc. Awards Kit

Hello Staff,

Ms. Griffin from California Retired Teacher Association awarded our school with a $40 gift card to Staples today.

Thank you CalRTA for thinking of us!

Allison Sayavong Assistant Principal/EL Intervention Specialist, Kitayama Elementary School In February and March this year 2015 these following wonderful CalRTA #91 members are helping to carry Staples gift cards to the remaining 29 schools in the tri-city area: Suzanne Miller, Barbara Horn, Pat Heer, Muriel Rodrigues, Sharon Yool, Suzon Kornblum, Jeanette Rauscher, Judy Molander, Gayle Lai, Florence Griffin, Kerin Romero, Gerry Romero, John Lowrey, Helen Boyer, Pat Webb, Phyllis Grenier, Melinda Pickens and Carolyn Zeljak. Schools covered this year in New Haven are Hillview Crest, Kitayama, Pioneer, and Alvarado Middle. In Newark cards were taken to Graham, Milani, Musick, and Newark Memorial High. In Fremont we are presenting cards at Ardenwood, Blacow, Cabrillo, Durham, Forest Park, Gomes, Grimmer, Hirsch, Leitch, Mission Valley, Patterson, Warwick, Maloney, Mission San Jose Elementary, Walters Junior High, American High, Irvington High, Kennedy High, and Washington High. The school staffs and administrators have been most gracious and appreciative of this gesture from CalRTA #91.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR FunRAISER

Thursday, April 23rd, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Sweet Tomatoes, Fremont

You need to bring the flyer on the following page (page 12). We will get 15% for the Grant fund, but you must give them the flyer or we won't get the credit. CalRTA 91 Page 11 Spring 2015

Mikey  McKelvey,  Princiipal,  Kitayama  School  &  Florence  Griffin

DUCKS FOR BUCKS RACE Gene Dias, CalRTA 91 Representative

My, how time flies! Once again our fine featherless friends will race on Lake Elizabeth on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. These tiny, yellow duckies will enter the frigid water to compete for one of the 11 prizes listed on the inside flap of the enclosed entry form. This yearly event is sponsored by the Fremont Kiwanis Club. The Fremont Kiwanis Club will not release any of your personal information. All information is destroyed once the event is complete. Each duck entry we purchase will earn $3 for our grant fund. Any entry beyond 250 earns us $4 each (250 = $750; 300 = $950). Each duck entry costs $5. If one buys 5 duckies ($25) on one entry form, one FREE ducky is added, giving you 6 duckies entered in the race.

On the bottom of each entry that you purchase will be written the same number printed on the cover of your entry form. Please, please participate and use the envelope portion of the entry form enclosed in this Newsletter. Mail it with your payment--cash, check or credit card. (If by credit card the minimum charge accepted is $25). All entries must be received by Wednesday, April 22. Be sure to include the filled-out information flap attached to the envelope. (It is not necessary to give your e-mail address, but be sure to fill in your telephone number. That is the only way you will be notified if you are a prize winner. Prize winners will be notified soon after the race is complete. Please encourage your family members to participate. Additional entry forms can be acquired from Gene Dias by phoning (510) 797-0972. Your past and present entries are greatly appreciated. Donations are tax deductible. Good luck with your purchases!!

WEB WANDERINGS with Gayle

gmallon627@aol.com      

www.heavenlygreens.com - artificial turf products www.fatwallet.com - coupon/promotion aggregator that scours the web to find the best deals www.rottentomatoes.com - check ratings of movies and television shows by critics and viewers

www.familyhistorydaily.com - free genealogy search engine, including list of 50 other free sites www.1800recycling.com - enter zip code and learn how to recycle numerous household items www.avvo.com - free advice from experienced lawyers www.step.state.gov/step - The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate www.dna.ancestry.com - a simple DNA test may uncover and find new information about your ethnic mix www.coursera.org - take the world's best classes online for free www.duolingo.com - highly rated free tool for learning a language

 

CalRTA 91 Page 13 Spring 2015

Have You Heard? Compiled by Dolores Wright

Suzanne Miller spent five days during the Christmas holidays in San Francisco. To begin her journey, she hopped on BART with her suitcase, got off at the Embarcadero station, and then walked a few yards to check into the Hyatt Regency Hotel. No long TSA lines! No hunting for overhead bins to stow her carry-on! No sitting scrunched up for hours on a long flight!

After checking into the hotel, Suzanne had lunch at Tadich’s, the oldest still-in-use restaurant in California. Since it was Christmas Eve, she headed to the Nutcracker Ballet at the San Francisco War Memorial. On the way back to the hotel, she dropped in for a tasty early dinner in the Palace Hotel bar, the Pied Piper Bar and Grill.

Suzanne enjoyed a buffet dinner on Christmas day while cruising the smooth waters of the Bay aboard a Hornblower Cruise ship. The water was calm enough for the captain to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. Delicious food, along with music and dancing, ended this pleasant day.

The next two days, Suzanne continued her adventure. On Saturday, she attended a special event--a performance of “Kinky Boots,” a musical at the Orpheum Theater, which was lots of fun. Sunday morning, before she headed home, our traveler stopped in at the Apple Store for a one-on-one lesson on her new laptop.

Although the City was very crowded, and the weather was cold and windy, Suzanne gave the entire experience an A+ and a shiny gold star!

Sets and Regis Amann and their family recently spent some time in one of the most beautiful places on earth. She says if you believe in “heaven on earth,” Bora Bora is the place. Her family spent their winter holidays in Bora Bora, which is known locally as the ”Pearl of the Leeward Islands.” It is located 240km (about 150 miles) northwest of Tahiti (French Polynesian Colony). There is a Polynesian legend that states

that it is a sacred island and the first island to rise from the sea.

Protected by a great coral reef and an idyllic lagoon with pristine waters, the main island is surrounded by a satellite of tiny islands called “motu.” The lagoon and its large pallet of turquoise nuances and deep ocean blues is classified as one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. There is only one navigable pass that traverses the reef, which allows all seafaring crafts to anchor at Vaitape village, Bora Bora’s main center. Blessed with impressive volcanic peaks, rich coastlines, and magnificent bays, Bora Bora possesses one of the world’s most enchanting landscapes, including beaches filled with fine white sand. In spite of a highly developed tourism industry, Bora Bora has managed to keep its natural Polynesian authenticity. “What a gem of discovery it is!” says Sets! CalRTA 91 Page 14 Spring 2015

Regis & Sets

LUNCHEON/MEETING ELKS LODGE

38991 Farwell Drive, Fremont Wednesday, April 15, 2014

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Program

If you look up the word "raconteur" in the dictionary, the definition will be "George Vlastelica." CalRTA Division 91 charter member, George Vlastelica, will share his experiences in basic training and war-ravaged Korea. Buffet Lunch Menu

Catered by Alameda’s Best Catering

Caesar Salad, Chicken Picatta in Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce, Slow-roasted Sliced Beef Tri-Tips with Mushroom Cabernet Gravy, Vegetarian Penne Pasta, Rice Pilaf, Fresh Mixed Vegetable Medley, Assorted Dinner Rolls and Butter, Apple Cobbler with Whipped Cream, Water Service at the tables, and Coffee at a serving station

Book Sale and Opportunity Drawing Proceeds go to the Grant Fund

Books are on sale for $1.00 per book. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. Please bring books that you no longer need and nice, usable gifts for this Opportunity Drawing. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Luncheon Cost: Your cost: $25: (Division 91 is subsidizing the cost of this luncheon by $5.10 per attendee in addressing Elks' Lodge new contract requirements.)

Please honor the reservation deadline of Friday, April 2, 2015 Luncheon Cost: $25 Reservations must be received by Friday, April 2, 2015. Please send your reservation to Janie Caldwell, 37111 Elm Street, Fremont, CA 94536-4836. Phone: (510) 797-2462.

NAME(S) _____________________________________________________________________

PHONE: _________________ EMAIL_________________________ Make your check for $25 per person 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. CalRTA 91 Page 15 Spring 2015

Please join us for the CalRTA “Book Club”. Meetings are held the first Monday of every month at 11:30 AM at Suju’s Coffee House in Fremont. Our coming attractions include:

April 6, 2015 Me Before You by Jojo Moyes May 4, 2015 Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman June 1, 2015 Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain July 6, 2015 The Little Book by Selden. Edwards August 3, 2015 Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown August 31, 2015 Body Surfing by Anita Shreve October 5, 2015 Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough November 2, 2015 Share books for next year December 7, 2015 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt January 4, 2016 The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

TREASURER’S REPORT Gene Amaral March 1, 2015 • Checking Account:

$10,339.05 • Savings/Grants Account: $1,876.63

Thank you for using CalRTA Division 91's reward number when shopping at STAPLES. The rebate helps defray the cost of printing the FUN Times and the directory. Our customer number is: 3702324454 or use Carolyn Zeljak’s name.

I know the BART cards are becoming scarce but let's make a last push and bring them to the next meeting. Thank you Nancy Couchot

Major Goal

"To be the dominant, authoritative voice for all retired educators

FunRAISER for F.U.N. Division 91 Thursday, April 23rd - 5:00 - 8:00 pm Sweet Tomatoes, Fremont

PLEASE COME & bring flyer on page XX

HERE’S THE SCOOP By Stevie Moody Notes from January 13, 2015 Board Meeting

*Remember each time you purchase tickets for our drawings at our luncheons, turn in used Bart Cards, donate to Ducks for Bucks, attend Sweet Tomatoes fundraisers, use your S.H.A.R.E.

cards, make a memorial or honorary donation, you're helping schools in your old district and in the rest of Tri City schools as well.

*We now have 487 members.

*Stella Torrez and Mary Kay Henderson will represent our Division 91 on Advocacy Day in April.

*Write letters to Jerry Brown re: his approving additional funds for STRS

*The Board voted to give 26 of our classroom teachers Grants totaling $6,409.12

S.H.A.R.E.S. FIRST YEAR REPORT

Our first year with the S.H.A.R.E.S. card has ended, and we earned $921.90 this year for mini-grants for teachers. Great job those who are using the card -THANKS! Our last check was the largest of the year - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's were included.

Remember, the cards are good all over California and parts of Nevada. If you haven't received a card yet, there will be some at every luncheon. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to call me at 510-792-4936 or email fvgriff@comcast.net and I will send you as many cards as you like.

Thanks again for using the card to raise money for grants to teachers!

~~~~~~Florence Griffin, Grants Chairperson CalRTA 91 Page 16 Spring 2015

BUS TOURS The bus trips are now from the Tri-City Senior Centers.

Newark Senior Center All trips depart from the Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Bl., Newark. Register on-line at www.newark.org or call 510-578-4851

THUNDER VALLEY CASINO RESORT United Auburn Indian Community, Lincoln, CA Wednesday, April 1, 2015 8:30 am - 6:30 pm Newark Resident: $30 Non-Resident: $33 FIRE on the MOUNTAIN Bluegrass Musical Revue Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts Wednesday, April 22, 2015 12:45pm - 5:15 pm Newark Resident: $79 Non-Resident: $87

Fremont Senior Center For more information and to make reservations contact: Fremont Senior Center (510) 790-6600 More day trips coming. Contact the Fremont Senior Center after January 1, 2015

LEVI STADIUM & 49ER'S MUSEUM Lunch: Old Spaghetti Factory Santa Clara Monday, April 20, 2015 9:45 am - 4:30 pm Member: $91 Non-Member: $96 GRATON CASINO & RESORT Rohnert Park Tuesday, June 16, 2015 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Member: $29 Non-Member: $31

THUNDER VALLEY CASINO Lincoln, CA Wednesday, November 4, 2015 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Member: $29 Non-Member: $31

Union City Ruggieri Senior Center 33997 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587 phone: (510) 675-5495 www.union-city.ca.us Departs and returns at James Logan High School Parking Lot. Alvarado-Niles Road and Hartnell St. Union City GRATON CASINO & RESORT Rohnert Park

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Departs: 8:00 am Member: $25 Non-Member: $28 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA San Francisco Thursday, July 20, 2015

Meet at BART 12:15 pm Show Time: 2:00 pm

EXTENDED TRIPS: Collette Travel AUSTRAILIA & NEW ZEALAND from the OUTBACK to the GLACIERS October 11 - October 21, 2015 https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/626207  SAN ANTONIO HOLIDAY December 13 - December 17, 2015 https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/626212      ITALIAN VISTAS  April 23 -May 5, 2016 https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/651728    

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW YORK CITY

April 28 - May 2, 2016

https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/675017  

Page 17 Spring 2015