North Austin Chapter 2700

North Austin Chapter 2700

P O Box 10242 Austin Texas 78766-1242

(512) 895-9556

Jan-Feb 2017 Newsletter

Volume 9, Issue 1

The founding principles of AARP are: To promote independence, dignity and purpose for older persons, to enhance the quality of life for older persons, and to encourage older people "To serve, not to be served."

REMARKS FROM THE BOARD

by Terry Snipes

With a new beginning for 2017, many things fill our AARP calendars. The Texas legislature convenes in early January, and AARP staff members will advocate for Texas AARP's priorities--Nursing Home Quality and Safety, urges lawmakers to enact the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, Retirement Security - "work and save" proposal, Elder Financial Exploitation, and protecting Texans from unexpected and exorbitant medical costs, particularly those associated with out-of-network providers in hospital emergency rooms.

More New Year's information can be found at:

Please WELCOME our NEW PRESIDENT Enedelia Obregon and Dot Clark as the Vice President! They will be needing a NEW Community Service Committee of ambitious people going into 2017 to take command of our community service projects. It provides a fine example of the AARP motto: "To serve, not to be served."

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL for Calendar 2017 has begun. Chapter dues are still $10.00 annually per person, and will assure the health of the Chapter's finances, allow us to recruit more compelling chapter programs (for some of which we may very likely have to pay an honorarium), offer more community service programs within the community, and generally address costs of everything we need to make the chapter function smoothly. We welcome payment from members in multiple years if you would like to pay in advance (see back page of newsletter for form).

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE

This was a sad Christmas Holiday season for some of us, we lost a dear sweet loved one in Marilyn Snipes on December 21st our past Chapter 2700 Chapter President and Capitol Area Community Team President as well. In addition, we lost one of our long time past board members in Chapter 2700, Lil Boyle on January 5th. Let us please wish Gene Schneider and Sally Scott both a speedy recovery from recent knee replacement surgery.

NEXT MEETINGS

Date: Thursday, January 19th, 2017 Thursday, February 16th, 2017 (Board Meeting @ 10:00-12:00 Noon) Thursday, March 16th, 2017

Place: Bethany United Methodist Church 10010 Anderson Mill Rd Austin, TX 78750

Social Time: 2:00 pm Meeting Time: 2:30 pm

2017 OFFICERS

President: Enedelia Obregon......512-331-1890 Vice President: Dot Clark..........512-460-9946 Secretary: Carol Stimson .......... 512-331-0095 Treasurer: Terry Snipes ............512-470-8282 Asst Treasurer: ............OPEN...................

BOARD MEMBERS

Bea Bates Connie Dunn Doris Hill

Argie Horn Phil Horn Dixie Saxon

Laura Shell Kitty Traylor Chinell Wlliams

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Check-In: Check-In: Greeters: Membership:

Legislative Chair: Programs: Community Service: Health Care: Sunshine: Volunteer Hours: Refreshments: Telephone Chair: Travel Chair: Travel Treasurer: Newsletter Editor:

Nelda Lee 512-451-1019 Doris Hill 512-452-7325 Vicki and Hank Buterbaugh Hilda Venema & Sue Broker

512-837-4052 Enedelia Obregon 512-331-1890

Various Board Members VACANT

Susan Eppendorfer 512-257-0872 Barbara Bishop 512-926-4256 Carolyn Hunt 512-834-0528 Randi Parker 512-258-0039 Bea Bates 512-258-4088 Terry Snipes 512-470-8282 Terry Snipes 512-470-8282 Kitty Traylor 512-569-9479 kittytraylor@

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JANUARY PROGRAM

JANUARY 19TH Preserving your Digital Afterlife

Dave Broker (Professional IT Trainer and IT Consultant) has investigated what happens to all of our digital information after our death (emails messages, social media, photos, etc.). To that end, he has developed a Power Point presentation entitled "Preserving Your Digital Afterlife". This presentation attempts to make listeners aware of the vast amount of personal data they have stored in digital form and provides recommendations and solutions to prevent the disappearance of their data legacy after their demise. In addition, this presentation attempts to make listeners aware of the current digital perseveration policies of several of the leading email and social media companies and bring listeners up-to-date on state and federal legislation on behalf of preserving their afterlife.

Board Sponsor: Terry Snipes

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

FEBRUARY 16TH Donating Your Body

Lemuel Bradshaw with the Tissue Center of Central Texas will talk about donating life with organs, tissues and corneas (the entire body). Donation makes lifesaving transplants possible. Donated organs and tissues save lives, restore vision and improve mobility in ways that synthetic materials and products just can't. Until the long term viability and biologic function of organs, corneas and other tissues can be duplicated in a lab, transplantation will continue to rely on donors.

Board Sponsor: Terry Snipes per Gene Schneider

MARCH 16TH Senior Issues Presented To City Council

David Gray, Vice Chair with the City of Austin Commission on Seniors will talk about his job of advising the council on issues related to the senior population in the Austin area; evaluate and recommend programs, policies, and practices that create a positive impact and reduce the burden on seniors; determine the needs of seniors in the Austin community, and advise council regarding these needs; and promote the contributions of seniors to the cultural, economic, and historical value of Austin.

Referred by Martha Dyess, Former Board Member

What your survivors need to know

from ERS/Texas (Employees Retirement System)

Do your loved ones know who to contact in the event of your death? Having important phone numbers and other information available and easy to find can make a difficult time less stressful.

Who should be notified, and when, in the event of my death

When a member, dependent or recipient of an annuity dies, this information must to be reported to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) Customer Service at (877) 275-4377 (TTY: 711) as soon as possible. If benefits are available, ERS will send a personalized packet with instructions to the member's beneficiary(ies), dependent(s), and/or estate.

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), in most cases funeral homes will submit death reports to the SSA. The funeral director will need the Social Security Number of the deceased to file the report.

Also, remember it's important to notify banks/lenders, utility providers and phone companies of the deceased.

To obtain a death certificate, survivors can contact the funeral home or:

if the death occurred in Texas, the Texas Vital Statistics

Unit at (888) 963-7111

if the death occurred outside of Texas, the vital statistics

department of the state or country where the death occurred.

Other important state and federal agency numbers:

Teacher Retirement System (TRS): (800) 223-8778 Internal Revenue Service (IRS): (800) 829-1040 Social Security Administration: (800) 772-1213 Veterans Benefits Administration: (800) 827-1000

For questions about any outstanding claims and/or available benefits, you may need to contact one or more of these thirdparty administrators directly at the numbers below:

Life insurance ? Minnesota Life/Securian Financial Group

Inc.: (877) 494-1716

Texa$aver 401(k) / 457 Program ? Empower Retirement:

(800) 634-5091

HealthSelectSM of Texas, HealthSelect Secondary or

Consumer Directed HealthSelect: UnitedHealthcare ? (866) 336-9371

Community First Health Plans: (877) 698-7032 Scott & White Health Plan: (800) 321-7947 KelseyCare powered by Community Health Choice: (844)

515-4877

State of Texas Dental Choice Plan and HumanaDental

DHMO ? HumanaDental: (877) 377-0987

State of Texas Dental Discount Plan ? Careington: (844)

377-3368

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Results of AARP's Chapter 2700 yearly Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive was $617.00.

Thanks to all who donated!

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2017 TRAVEL OPPORTUNIES

by Terry Snipes, Connie Dunn & Dixie Saxon

All costs listed are per person based on double occupancy and $75 Deposit Required to Hold Your Reservation. For Diamond Tours additional costs for single occupancy and trip insurance is available.

Mail deposits to: AARP Chapter 2700 P.O. Box 10242 Austin, Texas 78766-1242

AMELIA ISLAND, ST AUGUSTINE & JACKSONVILLE, FL

February 18 - February 26, 2017

Includes 8 nights lodging with 4 consecutive nights in the Jacksonville area, 14 meals: 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners. The trip includes a visit to the Fountain Of Youth, Historic Kingsley Plantation, Guided Tour Of Amelia Island, St. Augustine and Jacksonville, and Cruise On The St. John's River.... Plus much more. Deposit is due at time of sign up, and Final Payment due December 4, 2016. Group Leaders are Connie Dunn 512-497-2897 and Dixie Saxon 512-944-6011. Cost $700 pp dbl.

(Wait List Only)

PIGEON FORGE & SMOKY MOUNTAINS SHOW TRIP

April 29 - May 7, 2017

Includes 8 nights lodging with 4 consecutive nights in the Smoky Mountain area 14 meals: 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners. Three dinner shows---Soul of Motown, America's Hit Parade, The HatfieldMcCoy Show; one evening show---Smoky Mountain Opry and one morning show---Smith Morning Variety Show. Guided Tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and free time in Historic Downtown Gatlinburg. Admission to Clinton Presidential Library & Willie Nelson & Friends Museum & General Store and much much more... Deposit of $75 is due upon sign up and Final Payment is due on February 21, 2017. Group Tour Leaders Dixie Saxon 512-9446011 and Connie Dunn 512-497-2897. COST $753 pp dbl.

(Wait List Only)

MAINE, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, & OTTAWA CANADA

July 24 - August 2, 2017

9 nights lodging including 4 consecutive nights in Maine and 5 consecutive nights in Canada (18 meals: 9 breakfasts and 9 dinners). Guided TOUR OF PORTLAND, Maine's largest city-by-the-sea. Guided TOUR OF QUAINT KENNEBUNK AND KENNEBUNKPORT. TOUR OF HISTORIC VICTORIA MANSION and visit to BOOTHBAY RAILWAY VILLAGE. Visit to the Seashore Trolley Museum and countryside trolley ride and LL BEAN STORE. Guided TOURS OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC CITY & CANADA'S CAPITAL CITY ? OTTAWA. Visit NOTRE DAME BASILICA. Admission to the world famous MONTREAL TOWER and admission to Ottawa's famous CANADIAN MUSEUM of History. Plus, go to MONTREAL'S UNDERGROUND CITY and OTTAWA'S PARLIAMENT HILL, plus top it off with a narrated CRUISE ON THE STUNNING ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. AIR FARE to Manchester, NH required on your own. Deposit of $75 due at sign up. Group Leaders Terry Snipes 512470-8282 and Dixie Saxon 512-944-6011. COST $1331.

(Wait List Only)

NEW!!! 2017 TRIP NEW!!!

COLORADO SPRINGS AND GARDEN OF THE GODS September 23 - October 1, 2017

8 nights lodging including 4 consecutive nights in Scenic Colorado. Includes 14 meals (8 breakfasts and 6 dinners), Tour of the GARDEN OF THE GODS, Visit the United States AIR FORCE ACADEMY, See Colorado's natural wonder, The ROYAL GORGE, Visit historic MANITOU SPRINGS at the foot of famous PIKE'S PEAK, Guided tour of Colorado Springs, Admission to the GLEN EYRIE CASTLE, and much more. Deposit of $75 due at sign up . Group Leaders Dixie Saxon 512-944-6011 and Connie Dunn 512-497-2897 COST $783.

Don't forget to sign up on the wait lists.

Visit our AARP North Austin Chapter 2700 Website to see Pictures of our wonderful trips!

HOW PROPOSED CHANGES TO MEDICARE COULD AFFECT YOUR WALLET AND YOUR

HEALTH CARE

medicare_insurance/2016/12/download-why-medicarematters.pdf

MEDICARE WORKS WONDERS for millions of American families, providing affordable access to today's most advanced health care. Poll after poll invariably confirms its popularity. But will Medicare continue to work for us and for the next generations? That's the question that Congress and the Trump administration will be asking in the coming months.

At AARP, we continue to believe passionately in this program, which has allowed our citizens to age with dignity. In this special report, we detail what the state of Medicare is today and provide what you need to know about the upcoming debate in Washington over the nation's most important health care program. -- Robert Love, AARP Bulletin editor in chief

CHAPTER LEADRSHIP ORIENTATION (CLO) TRAINING - New Location for 2017 on Jan 24th

For all Chapter Officers, Board Members, Committee Chairs and Committee Members we will have our annual half day CLO Training to be held at the AARP TX State Office at 8:30 am on Tuesday, January 24th until 1:00 pm. So that you will be able to not only be trained with the four AARP Austin area Chapters, but also have the opportunity to tour the AARP TX State Office, located at 98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX! PLUS, parking and LUNCH will be provided! Reservations are required and you must RSVP to:

Terry Snipes by noon Tuesday, January 17th at 512-470-8282 or terry.snipes@

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Chocolate in one hand, Latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride".

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North Austin AARP CHAPTER #2700

2017 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL OR NEW MEMBER APPLICATION

If you are already a member of the North Austin Chapter, please pass this form on to a friend. Membership in the North Austin AARP Chapter 2700 requires membership in National AARP

(NOTE: Dues need to be paid by Feb. 28, 2017 to continue to receive newsletter.)

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spouse: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________________ State: _________________________ Zip: ___________________________

National AARP Number [REQUIRED for local chapter membership] __________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ___________ - ______________ - ______________ R ECRUITED BY:__________________________________________

Cell Number: ___________ - ______________ - ______________ How did you learn about the Chapter?___________________________

E-Mail Address: _________________________________________ Talents/Interest/Skills? _________________________________

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP (based on calendar year):

_____ New membership dues: $10.00 [Per Individual]

_____ Renewal membership dues: $10.00 [Per Individual]

Complete and return with check, made out to North Austin AARP Chapter 2700. Mail to address below or bring the application to the next Membership Meeting.

North Austin AARP Chapter 2700 P. O. Box 10242

Austin, TX 78766-1242 512-895-9556

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North Austin AARP Chapter 2700 P. O. Box 10242 Austin, TX 78766-1242

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