SRA
E-MAIL NEWSLETTER*
Issue
# 40
March,
2006
Len
Wines, Editor
YOUR SRA DOES IT AGAIN, SUCCESSFULLY
On March
15th, Town and Gown was the site of another successful event managed by the
Staff Retirement Association. Vice-President Helen Jones did her usual great
job to honor retiring staff members with a splendid "Mardi Gras"
lunch. President Carole Gustin noted that the 46
retirees represented 1,129 years of USC service, or an average of 24.5 years per person.
Three individuals served over 40 years.
PHISHING NEVER SEEMS TO STOP
Back in
Issue #34 (September, 2005 if you save them), I called attention to fake
e-mails that look real and try to extract information, if responded to, that
results in a money loss to the recipient.
So, at this time of the year when income tax may be on your mind, crooks
have sent the following message as an official-looking IRS e-mail:
"After
the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $63.80.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process
it.
"A
refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid
records or applying after the deadline.
"To
access the form for your tax refund, please click here
<http://ppp-202.133.189.250.revip.asianet.co.th/pms/.../IRS/refund/caseid179
6433/index.html>
"Regards,
Internal Revenue Service
"©
Copyright 2006, Internal Revenue Service
Trash
the above immediately should you receive it.
EXCERPTED FROM THE SIERRA CLUB'S
"SOUTHERN SIERRAN" MARCH, 2006
"What
are the most fuel-efficient 2006 vehicles? Three 2006 hybrid models--the Toyota
Prius, Honda Insight, and Honda Civic Hybrid--offer
fuel efficiency averaging over 40 mpg.
"Can
the fuel efficiency of any vehicle be improved by the driver? Fuel efficiency
can be improved through proper tightening of the vehicle gas cap to prevent
fuel vaporization, properly inflated tires, regular engine maintenance,
replacement of spark plugs and air filters, observing speed limits, avoiding
excessive engine idling, consolidating daily trips and errands, removing excess
weight from the trunk, avoiding sudden accelerations, keeping windows closed at
highway speeds, and wise use of air conditioning.
"What
is the best way to compare the fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions of
all vehicle makes and models? Visit:
<http://www.fueleconomy.gov>"
CALENDAR ITEMS
*** The
USC Retiree Book Club invites you to join them on Thursday, March 23, 1pm-3pm,
Gerontology Room #219 for a lively discussion of "From Prose to Poetry."
Attendees
are offered the opportunity to present a reading of favored poems (including
your own).
RSVP
is not required, but if you would like more information, please call Glenn or Eileen Hamor,
Co-chairs, at (310) 645-9453.
Future Meeting
Dates:
April
27, May 25, and
June 22, 2006.
No
meetings July and August 2006.
***
"Tough Issues at the Ports of Los Angeles and
Mudd,
Room 101.
***
Physically challenged athletes are the beneficiaries of "Swim With Mike," the 26th annual fund-raiser supporting the
Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund, hits the pool again April 8.
The
event, which has raised $5.5 million, offers a day filled with food,
entertainment, a raffle and silent auction, a swim clinic and a massage tent. A
barbecue begins at noon for the cost of $15 per person. Members of the USC
football team are scheduled to attend.
The goal
is to help pave the way for student athletes from various levels of competition
in high school and college to overcome their tragedies and strive for a better
future.
Individuals
can contribute to the event--which runs from 8 am-3 pm at McDonald's Swim
Stadium--through personal donations or by sponsoring namesake Mike Nyeholt, scholarship recipients or a swimmer of their
choice.
Past
participants have ranged in age from 2 to 80.
For more
information, call (213) 740-4155 or visit http://www.swimwithmike.org.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER (FROM CONSUMER
REPORTS "MONEY ADVISER" FOR MARCH, 2006)
"The
recent 2-cent hike in stamp prices is a great new excuse to shift to electronic
bill payment. Many banks let you send payments directly from your checking
account, often for free. Or you can use a free online bill-paying service such
as CheckFree at
http://www.checkfree.com.
"Alternatively,
some companies, and credit-card issuers and utilities, offer automatic
bill-payment programs in which they deduct payments from a checking or savings
account. Some companies also give you the option of billing your payment to a
credit card--a great choice if you pay off the debt each month. You can often
pay in full, make a partial payment, or set up a recurring amount such as a
monthly mortgage payment."
SOME POSSIBLY USEFUL WEB SITES
THANKS TO BOTTOMLINE PERSONAL:
Bargain
hunter's paradise: Bid on antiques, collectibles, sports equipment and
memorabilia, jewelry and other selections from Goodwill's vast array of donated
items. <http://www.shopgoodwill.com/>
What's
it worth? Directory of Web sites to help you determine the value of sports
memorabilia, old toys, porcelain, and other treasures.
http://collectibles.about.com/od/priceguidesonline/
Health-care
lookup: Extensive directory for locating a sports medicine clinic, Alzheimer's
disease center, heart-rhythm specialist, etc.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/directories.html
Back
pain relief: Exercises, medications and other ways to fight low back pain.
http://www.spine-health.com/
Happier
living: How to deal with ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc.
http://www.mental-health-matters.com/
Consumer,
beware: The latest on- and off-line scams...vehicle and other recalls. . .products and companies that you might want to
avoid.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/
Income
tax saver: Many people miss medical deductions for contact lenses, orthopedic
shoes, contraceptives and psychiatric treatment. More
information:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch21.html
AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT, STEVEN WRIGHTISMS FROM HERE AND
THERE:
When
you're sending someone Styrofoam, what do you pack it in?
If women
wear a pair of pants, a pair of glasses, and a pair of earrings, why don't they
wear a pair of bras?
What is
a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
What's
another word for synonym?
Why is
it that when you transport something by truck, it's called a shipment, but when
you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
If olive
oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come from?
I stayed
in a really old hotel last night. They sent me an awake-up letter.
I went
for a walk last night and my girl friend asked me how long I was going to be
gone. I said, "The whole time."
How much
deeper would the ocean be if sponges didn't live there?
Did
I live
on a one-way dead-end street.
It
doesn't matter what temperature a room is, it's always room temperature.
I played
a blank tape on full volume. The mime who lives next door complained.
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*The content of this E-mail Newsletter is for the information of
the members of the USC SRA. It is not a