MAY 2017 VOLUME XLIII NUMBER 4

Your Partner in Pension Protection

REPORT CARD Pomona Valley Division 13 div13.calrta.org

calrta.org area8.calrta.org

Core Purpose: To enhance and protect the benefits of retired educators.

Azusa-Bonita-Charter Oak-Claremont-Covina-Glendora-Hacienda/La Puente-Pomona-Walnut-West Covina

Next CalRTA Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Program: The Stardust Trio

Time: 11:15 a.m. for lunch

Place: Hillcrest Meeting House

CalRTA’s Goal: To be the dominant, authoritative voice for all retired educators.President: Carole Lyles

(909) 985-4235 or clylescpnp@yahoo.com

PROGRAMby Susan Hamilton and Donna Wanless

The STARDUST Trio

Put on your dancing shoes! We are in for a musical treatat our June 14th meeting with the Great American bigth

band songs of The STARDUST Trio ensemble. The nostalgic sound of vintage jazz specialist Alan

Shelton’s muted trumpet, along with premier ballroomdrummer Jim Miller’s superb rhythm, are a perfectcomplement to leader Jay C. Munns’ elegant piano style. We will be transported back to the era of elegant anddanceable music from Art Deco hotel ballrooms, dancehalls, and cozy night spots when swing was king. Theaudience will be invited to tap our toes, join in and singalong.

See more ceramics and article ofvisit to the American Museum ofCeramic Art on page 2.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As I write this report I am at homerecovering from cervical neck fusionsurgery. I am making good progress,wearing my neck brace and followingdoctor’s orders.

I will be with you in June to celebrate my completionof six years as your President. The June meeting will bethe installation of new officers for 2017-2019.Unfortunately it does not contain a President for thosetwo years. Surely within our membership there issomeone or two some ones to share in doing that criticaljob which is so important in the smooth functioning of ourvital organization. Please search your skill set and stepforward. You will get a great deal of support from ourwonderful, dedicated, hard working board.

On May 17-19 Division 13 has 7 members going to theState Annual Convention at the L. A. Airport Hilton. It willbe an opportunity to share our successes and get newand important information that will benefit our Division.

In conclusion my heart-felt thanks to each and everyone of you for your friendship and support over the lastsix years. It has been a rewarding and humblingexperience. I continue to believe that we as retirededucators have the privilege and obligation to speak outin support of teachers/educators and legislation thatimproves every aspect of education. My association withall of you in Division 13 has constantly reinforced mybelief in the good we all do, the necessity of the doing,and how so many dedicated hands and minds lighten theload of leadership, thank you, thank you.

CalRTA Division 13 Executive Board 2015-17

PresidentCarole Lyles (909) 985-4235clylescpnp@yahoo.com

1 Vice-President (Program)st

Susan HamiltonDonna Wanless

2 Vice-President (Membership)nd

Sandy Moore

Recording SecretaryJan Thomasser

Corresponding SecretaryRita Snow

TreasurerTed McNevin

Goverment RelationsLarry Woodruff

ResourcesDorothy Fountain

Health IssuesSharon Goodrich

CommunicationsDena Anderson-Peoples

HospitalityPaula Dacker

PublicityRobbie Cendejas

Historian/Teacher GrantsKathy Concidine

Newsletter EditorPat Nixon

WebmasterPete Davis

Scholarship CommitteeRobbie Cendejas - PresidentTom Gerfen - Treasurer

A Delightful Day Trip at the AMOCAby Susan Hamilton

Eight Division 13 members found the American Museum of Ceramic Artto be an unexpected hidden gem of culture and beauty in the PomonaValley. On April 20 , we met at the corner of Garey Avenue and Center toth

enter the sparkling white interior of the former Pomona First Federal bankwhich had been redesigned to display fascinating and exquisite pieces ofceramic, each with its own story to tell. Our one hour tour led by EducationOutreach Coordinator, Sara Hunsucker, expanded to an hour and a half asshe answered our many questions and explained the artistic styles, historyand international aspects of the collection, as well as its roots in thePomona art community.

The upper wall of one long room preserves an historical mural byMillard Sheets as a background for the current exhibitions. “Ceramics A toZ” included collections from Japan, Mata Ortiz, Mexico, and the artistsvillage of Icheon, South Korea. The “vault” displayed 231 bright blue bottleforms against a brilliant yellow field, a moving project by Kristen Ericksonrepresenting the homeless individuals in the city. Replacing safety depositboxes downstairs, narrow glass cabinets held beautiful pieces of 18 andth

19” century Villeroy and Boch ceramic ware from Mettlach, Germany. Wehad the opportunity to observe the large working Ceramic Studio whichhosts classes, workshops, and artists’ events.

Following the tour, we enjoyed lunch together at a sidewalk table whiletalking about our impressions and getting better acquainted with ourCalRTA colleagues.

L-R: Susan Hamilton, Lucille Wright, Lee Marcacci, RobbieCendejas, Carol West, Paula & Mike Dacker, Dale Quasney

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DID YOU KNOW…?

Did you know CalRTA’s Scholarship Committeeand Grant Committee is looking for some newmembers? Limited time to serve and very satisfyingwork. Volunteer for something positive that will makeyou feel good.

The CalRTA Educational Foundation providesgrants to CalRTA Divisions for Pre-RetirementWorkshops and provides grants to active teachers forclassroom projects that focus on innovation andenrichment.

The new year is often a good time to take a longlook at your financial picture and seek out answers forsome possible areas that need attention. Since tax timeforces most of us to examine our spending habits, takea moment to decide whether you have dealt with all ofyour financial concerns.

Set aside some time to do a personal inventory: Are you seeing your friends and family often enough tokeep you feeling connected? Do you have at least oneevent a month that brings you joy? Do you have a skillthat might open some doors to being with others(gardening, quilting, reading aloud, baking, a musicalability)? Could you take a more active roll in CalRTA? We could certainly use your help! Get involved; life isalways more fun when you are with others!

The address of CalTRA’s state office has changed. Direct any mail to the following: CalRTA, 1750 HoweAve Ste 630, Sacramento CA 95825.

The telephone number and email remain the same.

TREASURER’S REPORTby Ted McNevin

Balance 1/1/2017 $2,309.84

Receipts: Dues: $2,730.93 Miscellaneous: 514.25 Luncheon 3,351.00

$6,596.18Total Available: 8,906.02

Disbursements: 5,287.50

Balance 3/31/2017 (Q3) $3,618.52

RESOURCESby Dorothy Fountain

“Putting Things Off” is an interesting article by SteveClick, Membership Recruitment/Resources Committee.

Please note that we have edited it to save space.

Putting things off, important things, seems to be a“condition” that many of us share. The items below arefrom a flyer from the Human Rights Campaign:

THE PLANNING QUIZAre the people you have designated to act on your

behalf in case of disability or death still the individualsyou wish to serve as your agents?

Does your estate plan provide for digital assets? (email accounts, Facebook, things in the cloud)

Have your wishes for your healthcare changed?Have you recently re-entered the workforce,

changed jobs, and rolled over your retirement plant?Have the circumstances of your beneficiaries or your

wishes for distribution of your assets changed?Have you recently remarried?Has there been a birth, adoption, divorce or death in

your family?Have you recently moved to a new state?

Have you recently purchased a home with anotherperson?

DON’T FORGET TO SIGN-UP FOR COLLETTEby Carole Lyles

Our members who have selected and exper-ienced a Collette Tour are bringing back nothing butrave reviews. Six members joined the East CoastSouthern Charms Tour and three others signed upfor The Shades of Ireland Tour. Their reports were allfilled with praise and an eagerness to pick anothertrip. The Ireland tour was a uniquely pleasing blendof quaint communities, beautiful farms, the BlarneyStone and castles that left them breathless. Eachday was a treasure; each night a joy. Check out ourseparate article from a participant from the EastCoast Southern Charms Tour.

Division 13 made a commission of $2,758 fromthese trips and that money will be used to supportour scholarship and teacher grant programs. YOUand friends travel for pleasure and CalRTA Division13 gains financial support for worthwhile projects.

As of this date, we have four people going to theDiscover New England Charms Tour in the fall. Makea point of checking that one out and don’t forget theBritish Landscapes Tour. It will be grand.

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KEEP IN TOUCH. . . .

CalRTA, Division 13 would like to encourage all of you to take the time to write, call, or email your current stateassemblyperson, senator (either state and/or federal), and congressperson. Our recent elections and politicalreports make it clear that all of us have a responsibility to communicate directly with these elected office holdersrepeatedly and make our wishes known. They are not mind readers and we are certainly not telepathic.

If you are unsure of your district, it is easy to go on line, type in the desired office, and submit your zip code foran answer. Since you are on-line, you also have the option of using the email address of the person you wish tocontact.

We have provided a listing of the most common office holders for our area below. It is, by no means, complete,but our address file primarily includes those listed below. FILE THIS ARTICLE UNDER KEEP!

State Assembly MembersDistrict 41: Chris R. Holden 415 W Foothill Blvd #124, Claremont CA 91711 909-624-7876

District 48: Blanca Rubio 100 N Barranca St, West Covina CA 91791 626-960-4457

District 56: Freddie Rodriguez 13160 7 St, Chino CA 91710 909-902-9606th

State Senate Members

District 20: Connie M. Leyva 11760 Central Ave #100, Chino CA 91710 909-761-7016

District 22: Ed Hernandez 100 S Vincent Ave, West Covina CA 91791 626-430-2499

District 25: Anthony J. Portantino 1000 N Central Ave #240, Glendale CA 91202 808-409-0400

House of RepresentativesDistrict 27: Judy Chu 527 S Lake Ave #106 223 Rayburn Office Bldg

Pasadena CA 91101 Washington DC 20510626-304-1001

District 31: Pete Aguilar 685 E Carnegie Dr #100 1223 Longworth Office BldgSan Bernadino CA 92408 Washington DC 20515909-890-4445

District 32: Grace F. Napolitano 4401 Santa Anita Ave #201 1713 Longworth Office BldgEl Monte CA 91731 Washington DC 20515909-481-6474

District 35: Norma Torres 3200 Inland Empire Blvd Ontario CA 91764909-481-6474

SenateDianne Feinstein US Senate

331 Harte Senate Office Bldg 11111 Santa Monica Blvd #915Washington DC 20510 Los Angeles CA 90025202-224-3841 310-914-7300

Kamala Harris US SenateB40B Dirksen Office Bldg 312 N Spring St #1748Washington DC 20510 Los Angeles CA 90012202-224-3553 213-894-5000

In honor of Day of the Teacher, Division 13 awarded $50 to 26 teachers from six of our districts who appliedon the form distributed by us through their districts. A detailed report will be featured in the August issue.

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CA Retired Teachers AssociationHonors Helen Storland

On a perfect Southern California evening, a banquet room full of her colleagues and friends met to honor HelenStorland as Glendora’s 2016 Citizen of the Year. She was awarded numerous accolades by local legislators, civicorganizations and non-profit groups such as the California Retired Teachers Association. Helen served asCalRTA Division 13 President from 2001-2003 and also held virtually every other position elected or appointed inthat organization.

Helen Storland refers to her long life as a Joyful Journey, beginning in 1955 when she joined the GlendoraUnified School District teaching first grade. Later she worked as Librarian and Miller-Unruh Reading Specialist. Asshe was teaching children to read in school, she helped to nourish this love of reading by volunteering at the PublicLibrary and developing the Glendora Community Read-In program. She is currently serving a third term as amember of the Glendora Library Board of Trustees. As a member of the Glendora Library Friends Foundation,Helen oversaw the building of a new library tailored to the needs of the community.

Tapped by Citrus College to join an Oversite Committee, Helen was instrumental in the building of the new,recently opened Fine Arts Building. She was also a member of the Glendora Women’s Club and Delta KappaGamma, and volunteered at the local Hospital and the Historical Society. As Glendora’s 2016 Citizen of the Year,Helen will reign as a VIP in the Glendora Christmas parade.

Helen is like the Energizer Bunny, indefatigable, and a testament to the undeniable “Power of One!” CalRTAsalutes Helen Storland whose tireless passion throughout her Joyful Journey has truly enriched us all.

COMMUNICATIONSby Dena Anderson-Peoples

CalRTA Division 13 reported a total of 30,000 volunteer hours to the state office and that was with only 40 peoplereporting.

Irene Rodrigues of West Covina captured the free June Luncheon prize by volunteering 3,062 hours. She wasfollowed closely by Sharon Goodrich of Claremont who recorded 1,347 hours. The final three top volunteers wereSharon Komoto of La Verne with 1,152, Elizabeth Bowering with 929, and Sandy Moore of La Verne with 750. Wehope all five will attend the June luncheon to receive their certificates and be recognized. Next year we hope toincrease our total number of hours reported. We will make it; especially if we can get a report from every member.START COUNTING NOW!

Division 13’s Community Service Project has been changed to WINGS of West Covina’s Women’s and Children’sShelter. Our previous choice, the Salvation Army Food Pantry, has moved out of our area. WINGS women’s sheltersupports homeless women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

WINGS can use the following: noodles, rice, pasta, instant potatoes, cereals, baby food and canned soups, fruitand vegetables. In addition, the shelter needs personal hygiene items: toothpaste, brushes, shampoo, conditioner,soap, lotion, deodorant, sanitary products, disposable diapers. Please bring one or more of these items to the Juneluncheon. We will have a table in the back of the room for your donations.

Robbie Cendejas, Helen Storland, Tom Gerfen

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All meetings this year will be at 11:15 for lunch at Hillcrest Retirement Community

We All Succumbed to Some "Southern Charm"

by Kathy Concidine

A carriage ride through the enchanting streets of

Charleston, a ride in a converted hearse through the dark

and spooky streets of Savannah, and a climb up 129 steps

to the top of a charming lighthouse were only some of

the highlights on the Collette Vacations "Southern

Charm" tour. With fellow retired Azusa USD teachers

Betty Wong, Lisa and Nick Stamatis, Lorraine Somes, and

Ann Stude, I had the great opportunity to see the

distinctly unique cities of Charleston, Savannah, and St.

Augustine, and the Golden Isles of Jekyll Island and St.

Simons. The whirlwind tour was from April 2nd to the 8th

– and I couldn't believe all the fantastic places we visited

and how much delicious food we ate! I tasted fried green

tomatoes in Charleston and grits in Savannah, and I even

tried escargot in the Grand Dining Room of the Jekyll

Island Club, former stomping grounds of the rich and

famous. We even had mint juleps on the veranda after

dinner! We had a delightful time and now look forward to

the next adventure with Collette Vacations.

Membership Update (Feb-Apr)by Sandy Moore

New Members

Anthony BarrettPatrice JaniceEllen KrogmanVictor YepezRuben Zertuche

In MemoriamOur retirement community has lost theadvice and counsel of the followingmembers:

Robert Dobis Mt SacFaye Englehardt Covina Valley DistrictThomas Fitzgerald Charter Oak DistrictSandra Finkbiner Glendora DistrictMarian Frantz Charter Oak DistrictEdy Griggs Covina Valley DistrictBetty Jackson Pasadena DistrictGeorgina Murphy Pomona DistrictJudith Rosenburg Walnut Valley DistrictJeneane Shield Covina Valley District

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CalRTA OFFICIAL NEW MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENTPomona Valley Division 13

Name _________________________________ Telephone ( ) ________________

Address _______________________________________________________________

City, State , and full Zip ___________________________________________________

E-mail Address ________________________________________

District Retired From ____________________________________

G Check here if spouse is also joining. Spouse’s name _ ______________________

JOIN NOW

Please check your selected payment method*:

G Dues Deduction Select One: G $4.50 monthly

G $9.00 monthly for self and spouse

DUES DEDUCTION:I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to deduct my Associationdues. Should the amount of dues be adjusted, as approved by the CalRTA DelegateAssembly, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTABusiness Office in writing to the contrary. To terminate dues deductions, I agree to makemy request in writing to the CalRTA Business Office.

Social Security Number ___________________________ (Required for Dues Deduction)

Other Choices:

G Annual Dues - $54 (payable by check or money order made out to CalRTA)

Signature __________________________________________ Date _________________

After completing form, please mail to:

Sandy Moore1249 Vega CircleLa Verne CA 91750

(909) 596-0747

*We strongly recommend the dues deduction option. It is very secure and convenient.

º

LOGGING ON TO THE

CalRTA WEBSITE

Visit www.calrta.org

This takes you to the state associ-ation website. You will need to loginwith the code on the mailing label ofyour Contact magazine first andfollow that with your name in smallletters.

Login... just browse by clicking onthe area that interests you or just goto Division 13.

How CalSTRS RetirementBenefits Help CA

CalSTRS pensions pump billions into the state’s economy!They support private-sector jobs!They provide almost $6B in local and state tax revenue!Retirees spend their income—they’re a built-in stimulus planfor the state’s economy!

CalRTA MembershipRecruitment Campaign

Why Should I Join?

• Retirement Protection — CalRTAis the only statewide organizationworking to protect and enhancethe retirement benefits of allCalSTRS retirees and onlyretirees.

• Community — CalRTA’s member-ship is made up of retired edu-cators, those fellow professionalswho understand your dedicationand share your commitment toeducating California’s youth.

Information on CalRTA membersis confidential and is not used forpolitical or economic advantage.CalRTA does NOT sell informationlists. Membership information isencrypted at the State CalRTAOffice and a bonded companyshreds information pages at theend of each month.

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NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAID

SAN DIMAS CA PERMIT NO 149

California Retired Teachers Association Pomona Valley Division 13 1249 Vega Circle La Verne CA 91750

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

DIRECTIONS: HILLCREST MEETING HOUSE2705 Mountain View Dr, La Verne 91750

• If you enter La Verne on Arrow Hwy, turn north on Wheeler Ave, right onto Bonita Ave, then left on “A” St. At theend of the street is the back of the two-story Meeting House. Enter using side doors or front doors.

• If you enter La Verne on Foothill Blvd (Hwy 66), turn south on Wheeler, left on Bonita, left on “A” to parking lot.Meeting House is the two-story building at the end of the street.

• You can park in any lot/space surrounding the Meeting House except those painted green and designated forresidents.

• Curb parking is available throughout the Hillcrest complex. The Citrus Parking Lot at the north end of thecomplex has ample parking spaces as well; simply follow the signs.

Luncheon menu: California Spa salad with mixed greens, grilled lemon chicken, asparagus, avocado and toastedalmonds, dinner rolls, cheesecake, coffee/tea/iced tea

If you have special dietary needs or questions, call Paula Dacker (626) 963-6242.

RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCHEON, 11:15 a.m., June 14, 2017 PRICE $19.00

Here is my check for $__________ for ________ reservations. Make checks payable to Pomona Valley DivisionCalRTA and mail to PAULA DACKER, 1365 PEBBLE SPRINGS, GLENDORA CA 91741. Hillcrest CalRTAmembers can contact Yvonne Belcher at (909) 593-5316 for reservations.

Please mail checks so that they arrive by Friday, June 9th. Phone (626) 963-6242 (only as last resort).

Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________

Guests: ____________________________________________________________________________________

If this is the first time you have attended your CalRTA meeting, please check here. G