I just noticed that this is issue #64 of the Email Newsletter.  That means that it has been around for over five years.  Time sure does fly when you are having fun.  I am glad that Len Wines has joined me in the fun for most of the time.  As you likely know, Len also keeps track of our reader's list and takes care of the distribution.


President's Message: From Carole Gustin

By now, you should have received your Emeriti Center Newsletter in the mail.  If you have not, we need to know.  We had three invitations to the March 20 luncheon returned.  We were able to find new addresses for two, so those have been forwarded.  IF YOU MOVE, PLEASE ALERT THE EMERITI CENTER AND THE SRA.  You can e-mail the Emeriti Center at <emeriti@usc.edu >and the SRA at <cgustin@usc.edu>.

UPDATE ON THEATRE EVENT:
Dick Martin has 50 tickets for the production of Carousel on April 5 (note date) at 2:30 p.m.  Checks ($8.00 per person) need to be sent to Dick to reserve your seat — 3585 Tacoma Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90065-1725.  Carousel is a production of the USC School of Theatre and will be presented at the Bing Theatre, University Park Campus.

March 25:  Elaine Steward, an SRA member, is presenting "Making the Most of Your Financial Situation" at 10 a.m. in the new USC Credit Union Building (notice was in the Retiree Community Newsletter).  It is a great opportunity to learn something about finances from Elaine's experiences and to visit the new Credit Union.  Reservations ——  (213) 821-7129.  Parking at the Credit Union or the structure behind the Galen Center/Radisson.

On February 23rd, a group of our retirees enjoyed a victory over Oregon State.  Our basketball team did a great job.  Hope they make it to the NCAA tournament.

For football fans, it is time to renew season tickets.  Be sure you make it clear you are a USC retiree in order to get the discounted price.  The team should be strong and reason prevailed, so we are still in the Coliseum.

LATE ADDITION — Today, I received the following item in an e-mail from the Emeriti Center.

Downtown Los Angeles Walking Tour

<http://college.usc.edu/geography/la_walking_tour/about_us.html>

Saturday, March 22, 2008
Start: 11 a.m. sharp; finish by about 2:00 p.m.
Meet in front of the Stillwell Hotel, on Grand Avenuejust north of 9th Street.

This will be a leisurely exploration of downtown, with a focus on the Historic Core.  We will stop for a refreshment break along the way.  Anyone who likes to walk and observe is invited.
This is a free event conducted by Curt Roseman; no reservations needed.
Questions?: <croseman@usc.edu>


HOPEFULLY HELPFUL TIPS

PREPARE FOR DIGITAL TV — You have time on this since it does not go into effect until February 17, 2009, but to find out what it is all about, check <http://www.ntia.doc.gov/>.  Go to Application Form under the first listed press release paragraph.  There you will find an easy to understand explanation of what is going on, and you will find out if it even concerns you.  (I understand that only those TVs that are connected to an antenna will be impacted.  All TVs sold in the last several years are ready for the change to digital, and, if you are on a cable, you are OK.)

COMPARE NURSING HOMES IN YOUR AREA — To review details on each local facility in your area on a variety of health-quality factors, go to <http://www.medicare.gov/>, look at "Compare Nursing Homes in Your Area," and plug in the zip code of the area of interest.

HEARING LOSS PROBLEMS? — Share your experience with Consumer Union website if you are experiencing hearing loss problems regarding telephone, cable and internet services, or equipment.  Go to <http://www.hearusnow.org/other/share>.  The form at that Web site will enable you to tell about your experiences in dealing with problems, and perhaps solving them, in the listed categories.  Also, by accessing this website, you may learn from the experiences of other consumers.  (This information came from Harriett Porch, and she can be reached at <coolharriett@webtv.net>.)

CAR FITNESS AND IMPROVED DRIVING PERFORMANCE — Many elderly people have an automobile that they have had for years and they hope will continue to serve as long as they can safely drive.  You may have seen this in the AARP Bulletin, November 2007, page 7.  Go to <http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/keep_on_drivin.html>.  You will find information on driving tips, and watch the "Video CarFit Pro."  The video will show you how to improve your car and your driving performance so that you can stay behind the wheel longer.

>GUIDE FOR WOMEN — MetLife Mature Market Institute has a free booklet titled, "What Today's Woman Needs to Know: A Retirement Journey."  It includes tips to help women prepare for retirement and contains a planning checklist for each decade.  You can get a copy by calling (203) 221-6580 or you can download a copy at: <http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,4773,P250%5ES964,00.html?FILTERNAME=@URL\&FILTERVALUE=/WPS/\&IMAGE2.X=16\&IMAGE2.Y=6>.

COMPARING DRUG PRICES — There is a Web site, <http://www.healthpricer.com/>, that allows you to comparison shop health-care products from 85 online merchants.  You can shop for drugs, vitamins, contact lenses and beauty products.  (Always check the details yourself before you make any purchases.)

LOOKING FOR A JOB? — I realize that few of you are likely to be looking for a job.  However, even if there are just a few of you who are looking, I think it is worthwhile to give you some guidance to consider.  The following are several sites that claim to be resources for older persons looking for jobs.  I have no testimony about any of them, so check them out with care: <http://www.retiredbrains.com/>, <http://www.seniorjobbank.com/>, <http://www.seniors4hire.org/>, and <http://www.retirementjobs.com/>.

Don't pass up the USC Emeriti Center ENCORE Program in which USC units are eager for retirees to fill part-time and short-term positions.  You can contact Carole Gustin at cgustin@usc.edu for information and to sign up.


I can't remember if I told you about my high school girl friend who I called Rubbish.  I called her that because I took her out once a week.  One day she asked me, "If you could know how and when you were going to die, would you want to know?" I said, "No."  She said, "Okay, forget it."

Do you know that the Tooth Brush was invented by a UCLA Engineering grad?  It had to be, if it was invented by anyone else, it would have been called a Teeth Brush.

I always wanted to be a procrastinator, but never got around to it.

In my early days in college, I tore into the professor's office and said, "Professor Stinkelmeyer, I don't believe I deserve this F you've given me."  To which Stinkelmeyer replied, "I agree, but unfortunately it is the lowest grade the university will allow me to award."


C L A S S I F I E D  A D S
(Listed in order of receipt)

FREE FAX MACHINE.  Sharp Model UX-355L.  With faxing no longer the rage, I used it mainly for making black and white copies (one at a time).  A new film cartridge is installed, and there's a extra.  Have all the operation manuals, etc.  No longer needed because I have a multipurpose printer.
Len Wines, (323) 939-5527, or <len@winesland.net>.

FREE OVERHEAD CLEAR TRANSPARENCIES.  For laser printers and copy machines (many).  No longer meets a need.  See contact info above.

[To have your free ad appear in the next issue, please send to <len@winesland.net> before the first of the month.]


_______________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter, have him or her send an e-mail to Len Wines at <len@winesland.net> asking to be added to the list.  After you are on the list, you will remain on it until you unsubscribe.  To do that, simply send an e-mail to Len at <len@winesland.net> with the word UNSUBSCRIBE SRA in the Subject.

*The content of this E-mail Newsletter is for the information of the members of the USC SRA.  It is not a University of Southern California official publication.  There is no intent to promote any particular product or point of view.  Personal decisions regarding health, finance, exercise, or other matters should be made after consulting with the reader’s own professional advisors.