MOUNT BALDY NEWS - NARFE



MOUNT BALDY NEWS

NARFE CHAPTER #1497

VOLUME IV ISSUE 3 March 1, 2013



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'Tweet us after finding us on Twitter at NARFE Chapter 1497.'

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MT. BALDY CHAPTER #1497 MEETINGS WILL BE ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT COCO’S,

60 W. FOOTHILL BLVD, (corner of Euclid and Foothill Blvds.) UPLAND, CA, AT 1:00pm

March 13, 2013: Sandee Hayden of VNA Hospice & Palliative Care on 'Alzheimer's disease: How to Manage Difficult Behavior’

April 10, 2013: Oscar Lamon of Senior Corps-RSVP on 'Seniors Against Identity Fraud’

May 8, 2013: Joe Hoover of Care4You in Home Care on 'Choosing the Right Care Giver’

June 12, 2013: Picnic, Upland Memorial Park

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I have spent the last two months reviewing the chapter’s mission and accomplishments and exploring ways to ensure that the chapter runs effectively and smoothly. Most importantly, acknowledge the needs of the members and keeping the chapter’s best interests at heart. In doing so, I came to the realization that our immediate past president had accomplished many great things that I plan to continue to build on during the remainder of my office as your president. It is only right that I share with you the accomplishments of our immediate past president-Bernice Minnis for she is well deserving of the credit. These accomplished goals represent the direction the chapter has taken for now and the future.

Accomplishments:

1. Having the executive board officers e-mail the Chapter President with concerns, comments and chapter agenda items a week before the chapter meeting.

2. Ensured that digital pictures are taken during the chapter meetings to document our activities for a source of history and to share on our chapter web site and Facebook.

3. Updated all address labels for the of the chapter’s newsletter. Solicited local vendors for gift cards for the purpose of chapter drawings and offsetting the cost of publication and mailing of the chapter newsletter. Acquiring and providing decorations that enhanced the ambiance of our Holiday Parties.

4. Planned and coordinated excursions on the Metro-Link and matinee movie theater show that became an inspiration to chapter members and was a great fun way to give our members the opportunity to connect outside of our formal meetings.

5. Visited other NARFE chapters in District III, in order to provide support to them and to receive support for our chapter. It also allowed for the observance of the other chapter meetings and to share their creative and great ideas with the Mt Baldy chapter.

6. Made certain that the Mt. Baldy chapter sent delegates to the NARFE National Convention in order to support the overall mission of NARFE and keep up with the latest events that affect federal retirees.

7. Chapter participation in three Health Fairs that resulted in three potential members for our chapter.

8. Mentored new chapter officers who have transitioned into new chapter officer positions and ensured they were provided the necessary training and guidance.

There are goals that were not accomplished that I will continue to pursue as well as some of my own. Many of these goals deal with chapter membership, attendance and recruitment. My overall intent is to keep the chapter interesting, and give the members the opportunity to socialize.

MARCO RODRIGUEZ

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PARADISE BUFFET

Spring Luncheon

It is time that we take the opportunity to make this happen. Why not try it at Paradise Buffet at 9059 Central Ave. in Montclair on March 20th at 1:00 pm? We have tried this buffet a few times and it does not compare with another in the area. You can get your choice of meal items and enjoy all the tasty foods that you want. This will be our first 'SPRING LUNCHEON!' Come and sign up at our March meeting. Bernice Minnis

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NARFE MT. BALDY

CHAPTER #1497

February 13, 2013, MEETING

There were 11 members in attendance.

There were 2 first time attendees. Ed and Di Anderson are husband and wife. Both are retired US Navy civilian employees who are members of another chapter.

TREASURER REPORT: Treasurer Lorraine Brannen reported that we have $3162.57 on hand for use. Budget for 2013 was approved.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Stan Dack, 2nd VP for Membership reported we have 177 members on our rolls. Mr. Dack made a point of mentioning the names of new members Lou Ventura, Blakely Patterson, Christine Mead, Bonnie Gagner, Mary Stagner and Mary Witte.

LEGISLATIVE REPORT: The Legislature Report was made by Marco Rodriguez, President. He noted that the fiscal cliff crisis has been averted but the sequestration is upon us. NARFE continues to make congress aware of our concerns regarding reductions in federal workers’ compensation benefits and postal reform. Members are urged to use NARFE’s Legislative Hotline website and use the Legislative Action Center to send letters directly to their congress members.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR REPORT: Will Patton was ill and no report was given.

GUEST SPEAKER: Ms. Laura Frederickson is a Reverse Mortgage specialist. She will present information on a reverse mortgage which is a government insured mortgage loan program designed for senior homeowners to release a portion of their home's equity without the burden of monthly mortgage payments while in retirement. At present, some 80,000+ seniors yearly enjoy the benefits of a reverse mortgage loan.

At the close of her presentation President Marco Rodriguez gave Ms. Fredrickson a Certificate of Appreciation

GOOD OF THE ORDER: Concerns of Members were discussed.

Alzheimer’s 50/50 drawing: The Alzheimer Fund collected $26. The winner was Clark Minnis who contributed an additional $3 from his winnings. The fund received $16.00. Current balance in the Alzheimer’s Fund is $31.00

Marco & Maria’s Free Luncheon Drawing Emil Trimillos won the Marco & Maria Free Lunch Drawing.

Meeting Adjourned at 2:55 pm.

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OUR MARCH SPEAKER

SANDEE HAYDEN

Sandee Hayden is the Community Liaison for the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California.

VNA is a nonprofit community based home care agency serving the private duty home care, home health and hospice needs in the community for over 60 years.

She has over 10 years of experience in service to seniors and their families. Formerly the director of RSVP Volunteer Program with over 600 volunteers and the director of the award winning Community Connections Volunteer Driver program serving the transportation needs of the disabled and senior residents of sixteen local cities.

As Community Liaison for the VNA, her role is to provide education and resources to seniors and their families. The VNA provides medical and social services to improve the quality of life of those living with serious or chronic illnesses by providing comfort, care and compassion for their patients.

The Alzheimer’s Disease: How to Manage Difficult Behavior presentation will share the VNA’s experience with patients and their families who are dealing with the challenging stages of the Alzheimer Disease and its impact on the whole family.

Sandee has been generous with her time and donations to another group in which I participate. She invited me to her new hospice home open house. I am anxious to hear her presentation on March the 13th. Your questions given to her will make her time more beneficial to our future needs. So, come and be heard. Bernice Minnis[pic]

Dues Withholding Should Be

The ‘It’ Thing!

California has more members on Dues Withholding than any other federation, yet we're in the middle of the pack with only 27% of our members on Dues Withholding.  Our chapter has been encouraging D/W at every opportunity and try to convince those members who are reluctant to sign up for it that it's really a liberating action.  You won't have to write a check every year or two.  Doing that is a pain!  $4 or less taken out of a check each month is about the same as a Latte at Star Bucks. Our chapter should be on D/W and we, only, have 35 who are. Ask our Membership Chair for an application if you are not on D/W!

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U.S. Dept. of the Treasury

No More Paper Checks

The U.S. Dept of the Treasury is phasing out paper federal benefit checks.  Everyone who receives a Social Security, Supplemental Income, or other federal benefits by check is required to switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.  David A. Lebryk, Commissioner of the Treasury Dept. Financial Management Service states " this move will save tax payers $1billion  over the next 10 years, while ensuring all federal benefit recipients receive their money in the safest most reliable way possible."

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We Need You Back!

The path and future of NARFE are in your hands. Attend our meeting and let your voice be heard. It’s a great way to become involved, learn more about the inner workings of NARFE and have a good time along the way. We cannot do this alone. May we, please, see you, soon?

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March 9-12, 2013: Legislative conference, Crystal City, VA

May 3-4, 2013: California State Convention, Double Tree Hotel, Sacramento, CA.

August 24-28, 2014: National Convention, Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL [pic]

MT. BALDY RECYCLES

'Members who attended the Holiday Party took home a plastic bag to collect recyclable aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles. Their donations will help our treasury to grow. We are hoping to have our bags filled with our collections before summer. We need to return them by May 8th at our chapter meeting. We will collect them after the meeting. Leave the collections in your car and do not bring them into the restaurant. Our contacts are Marco Rodriguez 909-590-1849 and Lorraine Brannen 909-625-7603. Thanks for supporting Chapter 1497!' Bernice Minnis

We are NARFE. Join us!

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is the only membership organization solely dedicated to protecting and preserving the benefits of all federal workers and retirees. NARFE is your legislative voice and your information resource. Join now.

Visit NARFE on the Web at .

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Eight chapter members went to tour Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt. Then they partook of the delicious ice cream cones and socialized!'

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Marco and Maria Rodriguez, Emil and Martha Trimillos, Clark and Bernice Minnis, Lorraine Brannen and Stan Dack went on the tour and are enjoying their ice cream. Bernice Minnis

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CONGRESIONAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR MT BALDY CHAPTER #1497

CD-27 JUDY CHU (D)



Pasadena 626 304 0110

D.C. 202 225-5464

CD-31 GARY G. MILLER (R)



Rancho Cucamonga 909-980-1492

D.C. 202-225-3201

CD-32 GRACE NAPOLITANO (D)



DEl Monte 626-350-0150

D.C .202-225-5256

CD-35 GLORIA NEGRETE McLEOD (D)



Montclair 909-626-2054

D.C. 202-225-6161

CD-39 ED ROYCE (R)



Brea T (714) 255-0101 | (909) 420-0010

D.C. T (202) 225-4111 F (202) 226-0335

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Summary of Research Projects sponsored by NARFE membership--Segment 3 0f 3

DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY STAGE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:

A major goal of ongoing research on Alzheimer's disease is the development of reliable noninvasive ways to detect signs of disease in its early stages. It is believed that steps to prevent or halt disease development will be most effective during the early stages.

Louis R. Pasquale M.D. and colleagues are studying ways to detect Alzheimer's disease by examining the retina, the part of the eye that detects light signals and sends those signals to the rest of the brain. The retina is considered part of the brain, and is the only part that can be visually inspected. Dr. Pasquales' team found that people who had early declines in cognitive function also had reduced blood flow in the retina. These studies are being continued to determine if retinal blood flow can predict the development of Alzheimer's Disease.

Chengjie Xrong, Ph.D. and colleagues are using statistical methods to test a broad array of clinical laboratory measurements to determine if any can predict disease development. Dr Xrong and colleagues found that cognitive decline begins as early as 23 years before a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. They also confirmed previous studies showing that the gene variant APOE4 is a strong risk factor for the disease. The researchers plan to continue analyzing data to find new ways of detecting high risk conditions for the disease.

Other teams have been developing novel MRI techniques that may facilitate the study of Alzheimer's proteins. Joussef Z.Wadghiri Ph.D. and colleagues have been refining an MRI technology that can better visualize beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. The researchers have created a new dye that can be injected into the blood stream to make amyloid plaques apppear "darker" on MRI scans. They, also, have developed a method of injecting the dye more precisely into the blood stream, a method that incorporates ultrasound imaging.

Jason E. Gestwicki Ph.D. and his team have identified chemical "probes" that can bind to beta-amyloid oligomers in the brain and surrounding cerebrospinal fluid of mice. Such probes effectively "highlight" beta-amyloid on MRI scans by exhibiting changes in fluorescence. This promising MRI technique may soon be tested in human clinical trials.

TREATMENT:

Cheng-Xin Gong M.D. and colleagues are pursuing one promising approach to treatment-boosting insulin signaling in the brain. Although insulin is usually associated with control of blood sugar, it also is important in signaling functions in the brain. Dr. Gong's team and other researchers have observed that insulin signaling in the brain is impaired in people who have Alzheimer's disease. Using mice, that have been genetically engineered to have reduced insulin signaling in the brain, the researchers showed that this change caused defects in memory and brain function that were similar to those seen in Alzheimer's disease. They now plan to test whether drugs to boost insulin signaling in the brain can prevent these declines in brain function.

Neurofibrillaries are one of the characteristic features of Alzheimer's disease and are formed from abnormal aggregates of the protein, tau. Povan K. Kreshnamurthy Ph.D. and colleagues are studying ways to remove tau from the brain using antibodies, which are part of the immune system. The researchers have developed antibodies labeled with a fluorescent dye that enters the brain and binds to tau aggregates inside nerve cells. They found evidence that the antibodies may stimulate removal of tau by the cell, potentially removing neurofibrillary tangles from the brain. These advances may prove to be early steps in the development of treatments to improve brain function in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Two final studies have been focusing on ways to electronically enhance diagnosis and understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Also Gregory A Jicha M.D., Ph.D. and his team have assessed the value of telemedicine for diagnosing the disease and educating the public and caregivers.

Studies supported by NARFE and its members have made significant contributions to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease, how to prevent it, and how to treat it. The ongoing generosity of NARFE and its members has stimulated many significant advances toward the ultimate goal of eradicating Alzheimer's disease.

Laura Wilcox CSFC Alzheimer's Coordinator

CSFC Alzheimer's Report for 2012

Total donations CSFC for the year 2012--$31,784.09.

Please give this information to your chapter Alzheimer Chair and chapter members.

District 111

Chapter Ch.# TOTAL

San Bernardino 73 $1135.00

Riverside 188 130.00

SW Riverside 478 527.09

Palm Springs 587 200.00

Victor Valley 1016 110.00

Mt. Baldy 1497 177.00

Barstow Hi-Desert 1564 None reported

TOTAL $2,279.09

Donation totals include funds sent forth by CSFC Alzheimer's Coordinator and donations sent directly to Alzheimer's Association

Laura Wilcox

CSFC Alzheimer's Coordinator

(760) 747 1965 [pic]

FEEA SCHOLARSHIPS

FEEA's scholarship season is well underway and we don't want federal families to miss the opportunity to apply. Please visit our scholarship page to find the downloadable application and links to our Partner Program applications. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 29, 2013. Awards are made just before the Fall semester starts.

Please read our February newsletter. You can also view past newsletters in our Media Center.

Thank you for being a part of Feds Helping Feds,

The FEEA Team

CHAPTER 1497 ELECTED OFFICERS

PRESIDENT, LEGISLATIVE CHAIR & PUBLISITY

MARCO N. RODRIGUEZ

(909)590-1849

Mnrdriguez770@

1st. VICE-PRESIDENT &

NARFE NET CORDINATOR

BERNICE MINNIS

(909) 860-0635

bernicem550@

2nd. VICE-PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP & TELEPHONE COMMITTEE

STANLEY DACK

(909)628-8853

standack@

3rd. VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, NEWSLETTER EDITOR & PARLIAMENTARIAN

WILL PATTON

(909) 623-5700

Will91766@

TREASURER & ALZHEIMER’S CHAIRWOMAN

LORRAINE BRANNEN

(909) 625-7603

lbrannen@ca.

CHAPLAIN & GREETER

CLARK MINNIS

(909) 860-0635

bernicem550@

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS & ASST NEWSLETTER EDITOR & ASST HISTORIAN

EMIL TRIMILLOS

(909) 591-3455

Trimillos1938emil@

CHAPTER 1497 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

NARFE PAC COORDINATOR & HISTORIAN

VACANT

SUNSHINE & TELEPHONE

MARTHA TRIMILLOS

(909) 591-3455

Trimillos1938emil@

SERVICE OFFICER

Joanne Ghidotti

(909) 628-8774

ghidottijoannec@

SOCIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

ERNESTINE ABOGADO

(626) 257-8011

DISTRICT III VICE-PRESIDENT

LEE MANAK

(909) 864-3378

leemanak@

NARFE CSFC PRESIDENT

JEANETTE L. SCHMIDT (DOTTIE)

jlschmidt37@

NARFE

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIREDFEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

MT BALDY CHAPTER #1497

P.O. BOX 1445

ONTARIO, CA 91762-0445

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

DATED NEWSLETTER

PLEASE RUSH

Federal News Radio 1050 AM

“NARFE Works for You”

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