MAY PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

WANTED --- SRA President:  As of the writing of this message, we have not found a member willing to serve as President of the SRA.  As I mentioned last month, a new president will find his/her own way to shape the office.  The only meetings that must have SRA representation (and the president can appoint someone to attend on behalf of the Association) are: the Emeriti Center Executive Committee (meets the second Monday of each month), the RFA Board Meetings (the second Friday of the month), and the SRA Board Meetings (the third Thursday of 8 months ­ no board meeting the months we have a general meeting).  The four general meetings are in March (Staff Recognition Luncheon), the June General Meeting, the September Program, and the December Joint Holiday Celebration.  The dates vary for these events.  Please consider volunteering to take on this position for the next two years (June 2009–June 2011).  I would be happy to talk to anyone who would like more information.

General Meeting:  CHAIR DANCING ­ GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT!!!
Come to the Monday, June 8th SRA meeting at 10:00 a.m. in GERO 224 for the program, lunch, and socializing.  Imagine getting an aerobic workout, burning calories, and toning your muscles without ever leaving your chair.  RSVP to 213-740-7122 by June 1./p>

Trojan ENCORE:  Once again, I urge those of you who would like to continue your connection to USC with part-time or short-term work to sign up on the new and improved Trojan ENCORE Web site.  I have received some calls from hiring managers who would like to hire a retiree.  Now we need interested retirees to post their information.  Go to: <sites.google.com/site/trojanencore> and click on "For Job Seekers" to complete the application.  Call me with questions.

Carole Gustin, <cgustin@usc.edu>


UPCOMING SRA EVENTS — AN EARLY SAVE THE DATE

The next SRA Field Trip will be to the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar on Thursday July 9, 2009.  We will board a chartered bus at the Emeriti Center at 10:00 a.m. and start back at 3:30 p.m.  There will be a no-host lunch at 12:00 Noon.  The Nethercutt Collection is the world's largest collection of classic luxury automobiles, displayed in an appropriately opulent setting with a self-guided tour.  At 1:30 p.m. we will be on a guided tour, with entertainment, of the amazing automated musical instrument collection.  Admission to the collection is FREE.  Your only cost will be for the chartered bus, yet to be determined, but reasonable, and your no-host luncheon.  A flyer will be in the June Retiree Community Newsletter.  Questions?: Contact Dick Martin at (323)343-1146 or <&dickmar@msn.com;>. 

Also from Dick Martin:

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CITYRIDE?

In order to best serve the senior (65 and older) and mobility-impaired citizens of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) offers a service called CityRide.  Its members can purchase Metro passes, taxi rides, and/or Dial-A-Ride (door to door service) at a substantial discount.

This program is for individuals in the City of Los Angeles and certain unincorporated areas.  For general information about CityRide, call (213, 310, 323, or 818) 808-RIDE, contact your nearest Senior Multipurpose Center, or go to <www.ladottransit.com/other/cityride>.


SOME HOPEFULLY HELPFUL TIPS

SCAMS — As you might expect, the Stimulus Payments have brought the scam artists out in force.  There are many ways they will try to scam you.  In fact, there are more ways then I can cover in this newsletter.  All I can say is, "Be Careful."

DON'T GIVE DEPRECIATED STOCKS TO CHARITY — Usually it is suggested that it is a good idea to give charities stocks that have increased in value for you.  However, if you have stocks that have depreciated (and who doesn't have some), it is better to sell them first and then give the proceeds to the charity.  That way, you will get the tax deduction for the loss you have encountered, and the charity will get as much as if you had given them the stock.

PRICE OF STAMPS — The price of a first class stamp will go up to $0.44 on May 11.  Until that date, you can buy "forever" stamps for $0.42 cents.  Not a big saving unless you are gong to buy a large amount.  (For example, buy 10,000 and you save at least $200.  What would you do with that many?  Maybe start a "stamp" store or give them to all of your SRA friends.)

WORKING OUT — I expect that most retired people recognize that staying fit can have a big impact on their health, both physically and financially.  All too many, however, don't do much about staying fit.  The first thing one should do about a workout plan is make one and start it.  There is a lot of information out there as to how one does that, but a good way to start would be to go to <www.nia.nih.gov> (click on "Publications," then "Healthy Aging").  There are several items you will find there either to view on the site or to order.

PROTECTING YOUR GOOD NAME — There is a record of all your home and auto insurance claims in case you did not know it.  The most widely used is your CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report.  You can order free copies of your home and auto reports at <www.choicetrust.com>.  There are many other reports available at this site.  Some are free and for some there is a charge.

An "Elderly" friend of mine told me:

"I sure have gotten old!  I have had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes.  I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, I take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, and I'm subject to blackouts.  I have bouts with dementia, poor circulation, and can hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.  I can't remember if I'm 85 or 92 and have lost all my friends.  But, thank God, I still have my driver's license."

Back to business ­

JUNK MAIL — I know this has been in this newsletter earlier, but it likely is time for a reminder.  You can opt out of receiving unsolicited credit-card offers, loan offers, etc.  Call 1-888-567-8688, a service run by the credit bureaus.  If you change your mind later, you can opt in at the same phone number.

JOB SEARCH — As a resource for job-search guidance directed toward persons of somewhat advanced age, try AARP at <www.aarp.org/money/careers>, click on "Finding a Job."  There are several other similar sites.  Here are some samples: <www.RetiredBrains.com>, <www.SeniorJobBank.com>, <www.Seniors4Hire.org>, <www.SimplyHired.com/fiftyplus>, and <www.RetirementJobs.com>.


HAVE YOU HEARD? — How to get a sweet little 80-year-old lady to say the F word?
Get another sweet little 80-year-old lady to yell "BINGO."

I had an interesting experience today.  I called my doctor and explained my problem.  He gave me instructions and a prescription and said, "Give me a call if it works, I've got the same thing."


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

None this month.

[To have your free ad appear (for things to give away, to sell, to buy, etc.) in the next issue, please send to <len@winesland.net> before the first of the month.]


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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 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.