This works great! It saves me from answering at least five or six calls a day and it’s FREE on your landline! I see they now offer it for both Android and OIS phones with a charge of $1.99 per month. My phone rings once and then quits. I got three of those calls within half an hour last night. Go to nomorobo.com and register you landline for free. You’ll love it!
Month: June 2018
The Latest Scam…Marlene Hruby
Don’t be fooled by callers pretending to be from PG&E! The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is receiving reports of a utility phone scam and warning residents not to fall prey to it. A caller, who pretends to represent PG&E, claims that your bill has not been paid and that your electricity will be turned off within minutes – unless you provide an immediate payment by using a prepaid debit card. PG&E will never call you; they send reminder bills. So just hang up on these scoundrels!
Legislative Report…Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott
With the budget deadline (June 15) fast approaching, AARP’s top priority budget request is on the line. The LTSS Data Collection and Analysis budget request, which would appropriate funds to the Department of Health Care Services for the purpose of contracting with UCLA for collection and analysis of data on LTSS access and needs in California by incorporating questions from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) in the 2019-20 and 2023-24 survey cycles. A portion of these costs can be covered by federal Medicaid matching funds.
We are being asked to contact our Assembly member or Senator to vote in favor of the LTSS Data Ask when it comes up for a vote during the week of June 11. If any of us have Assembly member Kalra as their Assembly member (San Jose) a simple thank you will do. He is the Assembly Sponsor of this budget request.
We talked about this in April. Because of the shifting demographic (more of us oldsters and persons with physical and developmental disabilities as well as those with traumatic injuries who are surviving longer due to advances in medical care.), California needs to collect this data so it can accurately assess our needs and budget accordingly.
As far as the Farm bill is concerned, we still have our work cut out on that. Congress did vote it down……this time. However certain members are planning on a new vote…..soooo, we need to call, write or email our Representatives and demand, ask, cajole, request, enjoin, urge, whatever it takes, in order for our SNAP program to stay in place!
President – Ken Schieck
Those of us who are of a certain age will always remember June 6, 1944-D Day. I wasn’t around, but I graduated high school on the 20th anniversary of the attack (1964).
Other memorable events in the month of June:
June 4, 1989-Chinese government kills at least 300 people in Tianamen Square;
June 5, 1968-Bobby Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles;
June 6, 1978-Ca.lifornia voters pass Prop. 13 which curbs property taxes;
June 13,1971-N.Y.Times starts to print THE PENTAGON PAPERS;
June 18,1978-Sally Ride becomes first female astronaut;
June 25, 1876-Sioux defeat General Custer at the Little Big Horn in Montana;
June 25,1950-Pres.Truman commits US troops to South Korea;
June 26,1945-United Nations charter is signed in San Francisco;
June 28,1919-Signing of Versailles Treaty officially ends World War I;
June 30,1971-25th amendment is passed, lowering the voting age to 18.
Last month, I spoke briefly about the issue of ‘AARP Livable Communities’; I will be communicating with the State office in San Jose to bring more of these updates to your attention. Also, National Service Day will be coming during the summer, providing opportunities for service in the community. A happy summer to all members and their families.
Summary of 2018 Survey Results
SUMMARY – 2018 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
- DO YOU ENJOY COMING TO OUR MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETINGS?
- All said yes
- WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?
Social Aspects
Program/Speakers
Troop Reports
Treasure Chest Table
- ARE THE PRESENTATIONS OF INTEREST TO YOU?
Received lots of yes responses
Several other responses indicated: most, but not always
Programs enjoyed most were those that were relevant to our generation, and community issues such as homeless and housing, history talks.
Request less emphasis on negative aspects of aging
- WHAT OTHER TOPIC OR TOPICS WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR PRESENTED?
Entertainment/Music/Sports
Less “doom & gloom” ; positive aspects of aging
More emphasis on cultural opportunities, history, classes, technology, innovative ideas, gardening, travel experiences, theater, etc
Proactive ways of remaining fit, mentally, physically, emotionally
Organizationskk with knowledge of general issues related to seniors:
Service Animals
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
Assisting with finding senior housing, nursing homes, assisted living
Social Security and Medicare
Managing retirement income
- DO YOU ENJOY “THE DISPATCH?
All positive responses; one indication of not reading political articles.
- “DO YOU THINK OF OUR WEBSITE? (CAMPBELLAARP.ORG)
Many have not seen or have no computer.
A few “good” responses.
Recognized to be a work in progress. Should go beyond the replication of the Dispatch to include original articles. - DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Many comments were similar to those made in Item 4 – Topics for Presentation.
While there were many who seemed interested in entertainment types of programs areas, there would appear to be a need for balance.
-The reality of the serious concerns associated with aging – health issues, financial management information, housing etc.
-Fun/social/entertainnment
-Learning opportunities, i.e., history, museums, theatres, technology, classes, community involvement. Positive aspects of aging.
All of these things are consistent with enhancing the quality of life.
Some concerns about the time allowed for purchasing of opportunity tickets and the treasure chest. (I believe this is one of the reasons for the time period of 9:30-10:00 prior to the meeting).
Some concerns about the amount of time for executing the drawings for opportunity tickets.
A suggestion of allowing member volunteer participation in some of the activities.
Recommendation to limit after meeting lunch places to those that serve at tables for the convenience of those who find it difficult to stand in lines to order.
NOTE
There were a couple of instances of “no politics”, it’s important to help members to understand, as Kathy mentioned in the last general meeting, that AARP is “political”, as an advocacy group, that involves ensuring that our elected officials are acting in the best interests of seniors. That, in turn, means we need to be actively knowledgeable and involved in these issues.