ALEXANDRIA NARFE BEACON National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association For Current, Former, and Retired Federal Employees. Spouses and Survivor Annuitants Chapter 232 Est. 1953 Alexandria, Virginia NEXT MEETING: November 18th 2014 TIME: 1:00 P.M. PLACE: Beth El Hebrew Temple, 3830 Seminary Road Alexandria, Virginia 22304 SPEAKER: Renee Gibbons & Bob Devine SUBJECT: Diabetes Prevention & Bob presenting the 2015 Blue Cross changes PRESIDENTS MESSAGE You will see on page 3 that we have included a new membership application form so that you can more easily sign up your friends and business associates. Our organization needs to enroll 200,000 new members to maximize our effectiveness in protecting our earned benefits from arbitrary congressional actions and to forestall efforts to reduce or eliminate future benefits. In dealing with our friends on Capitol Hill, size of membership speaks volumes. The return address is my home so that as your acting Membership Chair, I can get the applicants processed quickly into both the Chapter and national's databases. Our October 21 meeting featured Sergeant Joe Green and Detective Sandy Pak from the Alexandria Police Department, who explained the types of financial scams that they have dealt with recently. They work closely with the FBI and the Secret Service on tracking down these criminals, some of whom have been caught and sent to prison. For our upcoming November meeting, we have Bob Devine presenting the 2015 Blue Cross changes and awarding the Outstanding Annuitants Award. there will be a presentation on Diabetes Prevention. We will also hear from Rene Gibbons on the subject of Diabetes Prevention. Rene spoke to us this past Spring about heart disease prevention. Everyone was so enthralled by that performance, there were a lot of requests for her return. On December 9 we are having our annual holiday luncheon at the Mt. Vernon Country Club (Club), which is a few miles south of the Mt. Vernon Inn Restaurant (Inn), at which we have met for a couple of decades. Due to the rising cost of meals at the Inn, your Board sought out a location that is easily accessible and more affordable. We are fortunate to be using the Club, which is more easily handicap accessible than was the Inn. In addition to the 50/50 drawing for Alzheimer's Research, there will be door prizes, including a drawing for $100, and musical entertainment. Next January we will learn about a new Goodwin House program promoting living in our homes. Our Nominating Committee is still working hard at finding 2015 candidates for President, 1st VP, and Membership Chair. You can help them by calling Fred Green (703-780-6621), Audrey Funk (703-941-0166) or Julia Rachiele (rachielej@hotmail.com) and nominate someone to help all of us. Next April's state convention will be held in nearby Fredericksburg. The costs for rooms are $89 and $94 plus taxes, and convention registration will be $60.. Virginia Area IX consists of 6 chapters including Alexandria and is responsible for planning and executing the convention. Three of our members have already volunteered to handle leadership and committee assignments, but at least 8 more will be needed to make this convention a big success. Here is another chance to step forward and help make a difference for our cause. If you can participate, contact me or email Pierce Johnson, who will be the Convention's Chair at radmpierce@gmail.com. I hope to see many of you at our November and December meetings. Nick PAGE 1 OF 4 NARFE CHAPTER 232 OFFICERS YEAR 2013 President Nick Andrus 703-780-8856 carlton1032@gmail.com 1st Vice President Rita Jensen 703-578-6450 rdjensen09@gmail.com 2nd Vice President Wolfgang “Doc” M.L. Maier, Ph.D. 703-619-9675 WMLM47@earthlink.net Secretary Gail Templeton 703-519-7327 templetongail@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor Anita J. Hood 703-780-4542 anita@darkassociates.com Treasurer Janet Sledge 703-823-9449 janetsledge@aol.com Social Chair John Tolleris 703-960-7562 JATolleris@aol.com Legislative Chair Robert H. Miller 703-683-3025 bob-vivmiller801@netzero.com Alzheimer’s Chair Mike Oliver 703-683-3547 Lnmoliver@comcast.net Public Relations Bruce Johnson 703-548-9604 bjohnson123@comcast.net Service Officer Sterling Nichols 703-799-1661 snicholsjr93@yahoo.com Membership Chair Nick Andrus (Acting) 703-780-8856 carlton1032@gmail.com Past President Marilyn Couch 703-836-6582 macouch@comcast.net NARFE 232 Luncheon on December 9th 2014 @ Mt Vernon Country Club This year’s holiday luncheon will be on Tuesday, December 9 at the beautiful Mount Vernon Country Club, 5111 Old Mill Road, Alexandria, VA (less than 3 miles from the Mount Vernon Estate where our chapter held it in recent years) from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Our lunch in one of this country club’s elegant dining rooms will include a classic wedge salad, your advanced choice of one of four entrees listed below on your RSVP coupon, a chocolate cake or vanilla ice cream desert, and tea or coffee. This luncheon includes entertainment and a chance to win a $100 raffle and costs $32 per person. You can get more information about this club at http://www.mountvernoncc.org. Direction to the club using Route 1 southward from the Beltway: Proceed approximately seven miles south to the light at Cooper Road (a McDonald's is on the left). Turns left at the light onto Cooper Road and proceed to the end (about three blocks) and turn right onto Old Mill Road. The Club entrance is immediately on the left. Alternative direction: Proceed south on the GW Parkway along the Potomac River to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. At the circle fronting the Estate exit on to Route 235 south and proceed to the second traffic light, Old Mill Road. Turn right on Old Mill and proceed about one mile to the Club entrance on the left. To reserve your seat (s) please fill out the form below and list your (and your guest’s) choice of main entree. After filling this out, please cut the form at the bottom of this paragraph and mail it along with your check at $32 for each member of your party (made payable to NARFE Chapter 232). All mail should be addressed to John Tolleris, 5901 Mt Eagle Dr. Apt 1201, Alexandria, VA 22303. You may also give him your check (along with this form) at our Chapter’s upcoming November 18th meeting. Your RSVP with payment must reach John no later than Friday, November 21st, 2014. No refunds after the 21st November, 2014. Please reserve a seat for _________________________________ (and if you’re bringing a guest ____________________) at the NARFE 232 Holiday Luncheon at the Mount Vernon Country Club on December 9. My entrée is: (please also pick one for your guest if you’re bringing one. If you’re both getting the same entrée, please put “2” on the line next to your selection) ____ Mediterranean Chicken Breast Tomato, Olive, & Fennel Topping with Garbanzo Sauce ____ Classic Cobb Salad Beef Tenderloin, Iceberg Lettuce, Tomatoes, Avocado, Chicken, Bacon, Eggs and Bleu Cheese ____ MVCC Quiche Lorraine Roasted Potatoes and Steamed Veggies ____ Mixed Vegetables Pasta Grilled Vegetables, with Penne Pasta & Pesto I can be contacted at _____________________________________________________ (either your email or phone number) I am enclosing a check for $_____ ($32.00 per person) made payable to “NARFE Chapter 232”. If you’re mailing your RSVP, please send this form and your check to John Tolleris, 5901 Mt Eagle Dr. Apt 1201, Alexandria, VA 22303 to reach him no later than November 21st. He can also be reached at jatolleris@aol.com or at 703-960-7562. PAGE 2 OF 4 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES – (NARFE) PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION Membership Application for NARFE’s Chapter No. 232, Alexandria, VA New member dues 1 year __ $40 Home Telephone (_____) _____ - __________ ___ Annual renewal $50; Birth Date: Month:____________ Day: _______________Year: ___________ Name________________________________________ Recruiter’s NARFE No._____________________ Spouse’s Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________ E-mail address ___________________________ City ______________________________ State ________ Zip (9 digit) _____________________________ Mail application with check payable to NARFE. Send to NARFE Membership, 1032 Croton Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308 Please remember to advise us of any change in your email address when you change internet providers or leave a government position for another agency or retirement. Send an email to Anita, anita@darkassociates.com please. STATE LEGISLATION: Virginia Federation of NARFE Chapters through the Board of Directors has reaffirmed four issues for our 2015 State Legislation Plan: 1. Enhanced Protection of Incapacitated Adults: expand the definition of "incapacitated adult" in cases of financial exploitation of the elderly and provide for victim's asset recovery. 2. Income Tax Subtraction for Health Insurance Premiums: permit Virginia retirees to subtract their health insurance premiums from pre-tax income. 3. Senior Absentee Voting: allow Virginia's seniors to vote absentee without having to formally designate a specific excuse ( i.e., no-excuse). 4. Nonpartisan Redistricting Reform: future redistricting of political district boundaries be undertaken in a nonpartisan and transparent manner. Bob Miller Legislative Chair Photos courtesy of Sterling Nichols Joe Green, Sergeant, City of Alexandria Police Department Sang Pak, Detective, City of Alexandria Police Department From our last meeting, they spoke on senior financial scams. PAGE 3 OF 4 NATIONAL ACTIVE & RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 232, THE ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER P.O. BOX 17112 ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22302 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 404 MERRIFIELD, VA POSTMASTER—PLEASE DELIVER BY: November 10th 2014 Food for the Social Hour We ask members with names beginning with the letters S—Z bring food. Fruit, cookies, crackers and cheese, brownies are typical offerings. We will have perked coffee, hot and cold water, decaf powder, and tea bags. PAGE 4 OF 4