President…Ken Schieck

Everyone, PLEASE take care of yourselves during this time of fires and, eventually, colder weather.  Make sure you have masks when the air is relatively dirty, as it is now.  I don’t want anyone to miss the happy, hectic holiday season.  TIP: I have found that barbecuing the turkey on Thanksgiving frees up both top and bottom ovens in the kitchen for potatoes, stuffing, etc.

Our chapter has been given an opportunity to staff a booth at a Veterans’ Care Fair on Saturday, November 23, at the San Jose Giants Municipal Stadium from 10 am to 3 pm. One of the sponsors is Vietnam Veterans of America, Ch. 201, of which I am a member.  I need volunteers to staff a table to advertise AARP services.  If you wish to participate and/or know someone in our chapter who might be interested, please let me know by Monday, Nov. 11.  Volunteers are expected to staff the booth for the entire five-hour period of the event.  Please excuse the late notice.

This is definitely a community activity in which we should be involved.  I have some familiarity with these ‘care fairs’ as I helped plan and participated in them when I was with the Employment Development Dept.  This is not a job fair, but an event that features organizations to assist vets and lets them know about community organizations like ours.

Monday, November 11 is Veteran’s Day; be sure to thank a veteran for their service.

Our incoming officers and committee chairs for 2020 are listed below. You will have the opportunity to vote for these members at the General Meeting on Tuesday, November 19.  Remember that these positions are vital to our chapter.  Without volunteers like these members, the chapter will become inactive.

OFFICERS

            President – Ken Schieck

            VP/Programs – Paul Levine

            Secretary – Fannie Young

Treasurer — Helen Soukoulis

            Asst. Treasurer – Nancy Tepperman

            Past President – Marlene Hruby

Program…Paul Levine

Our speaker for the November 19 meeting will be Kerry Perkins, the Campbell Museums’ supervisor since 2014.  Kerry started working for the Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House in 2003.  She was hired as the Museums’ first Educator to run the education program.  Over the years, Kerry has expanded the Museums’ education programs to include two on-site field trips, traveling history trunks, family-friendly special events, an evening lecture series, and a Sunday jazz concert series.  Kerry has an intimate knowledge of the Museums’ collection, having curated a number of the Museums’ exhibits and working to preserve the collection of over 11,000 objects.  She enjoys making history relevant in our lives today. Kerry has a BA in English Literature and a MA in U.S. History.  Though not a Campbell resident, she feels a deep affinity for the community of Campbell and takes pride in representing its heritage at the Museums. She currently lives in Los Gatos.

Legislative News…Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

The CA Legislature is adjourned until January 6, 2020.  We are happy to let you know that AB 824 and AB 1118 were both signed by the Governor!  California drug manufacturers will no longer be able to pay for the delay of the development and/or research for generic prescription drugs, and California becomes the first state to have enacted a statewide law that enrolls California in the Age-Friendly Network.  Your hard work led to our success, and we appreciate your constant visits to your district offices to make this happen!

Urge your Member of Congress to support measures in Congress designed to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, including HR 3.  AARP has endorsed H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act when it was introduced in the House last month.  The bill’s key provisions would allow Medicare to negotiate on behalf of the more than 40 million beneficiaries in Part D.  The federal government should be leveraging that bargaining power to lower prices.  The bill also includes an out-of-pocket cap for costs in Medicare Part D. In 2015 alone, Medicare beneficiaries spent $27 billion in out-of-pocket drug costs. 

Older American’s Act ReauthorizationHR 4334:  Older Americans Act (OAA) programs provide home-delivered meals, help at home, family caregiver support, transportation services, training and employment programs to help keep older adults in their homes and communities, where they want to be, and out of generally more costly care.

*    AARP is calling for funding at levels that will meet the needs of the growing older population.  Over the years, funding has not kept pace with the growth in the older population.

*    Urge your Member of Congress to support HR 4334.

Social…Paddy Wray

SAVE THE DATE:  TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020, FOR THE AARP ANNUAL LUNCHEON AT MAMA MIA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

The $27.00 price will include one of 4 entrees, salad, beverage, and dessert:

Entree #1 Lasagna baked in a meat sauce, served with zucchini

Entree #2 Garlic chicken served with pasta and zucchini 

Entree #3 Fettuccine prawns Alfredo in cream sauce

Entree #4 Vegetarian selection — penne primavera in red sauce tossed with zucchini, carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms in a marinara sauce.

The “Social Committee” will accept checks or cash AND your FIRM menu selection at the November and December meetings or send check by mail to Social, 1348 Loyola Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95051.  Please write your FIRM menu selection on the bottom of the check, which should be made out to AARP Chapter 5151.

Absolutely NO refunds possible after January 5th.

Membership – Campbell Area AARP Chapter

It’s that time of year when you can get an early start to pay your 2020 Membership dues.   Come see me either before or after our meeting on Tuesday, November 19th.   As a reminder, annual dues are $17 and includes our Dispatch newsletter which you will receive by regular mail.   If you prefer to receive the Dispatch by e-mail, your annual dues are $14.

Please include a completed Membership application with your payment of cash or check.   Check should be made payable to:   AARP Campbell Area Chapter 5151.

Membership Application

I wish to renew my membership or join the AARP Campbell Area Chapter 5151.  I have included a check for my annual chapter dues which include our newsletter, The Dispatch.  Membership fee is $17 with the Dispatch sent by regular mail.  If you would like your Dispatch sent via e-mail, membership fee is $14, which includes a $3 discount, as we save on printing & mailing costs.  I am a member of the National Organization.

National AARP No. (Required) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Expiration Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

E-Mail Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Amount Paid  $ . . . . . . . . . .  Check #. . . . . . . . . .

NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [  ] New Member* (see below)

ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [  ] Renewal

CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .  STATE . . . . . . . . . . . .  ZIP CODE __ __ __ __ __ — __ __ __ __

PHONE (. . .. . . .) . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  SIGNATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DATE . . . . . . . . . . .

       *How did you hear about our chapter? _________________________ Age Group? 55-65 (  )  66-75 (  )  76+ (  )

Please make checkspayable to AARP Campbell Area Chapter 5151.

Mail to:  Membership App, 2643 Meta Drive, San Jose CA  95130-2231.