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ENJOYING FRIENDSHIPS-OLD AND NEW Humble Area Retired Teachers Association

~The Local Organization of Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA)~

April, 2011 Humble, Texas TRTA District IV

President’s Corner I hope this newsletter finds each of you happy, healthy, and enjoying the warm springtime weather. Your HARTA officers are busy planning the remainder of the year’s activities. Several of us also attended the TRTA Day at the Capitol recently to meet with Representative Dan Huberty and Senator Tommy Williams, making sure that they are aware of the budgetary issues which affect retirees. We will continue to monitor the progress of legislation as the session in Austin continues throughout the spring. Make plans now to attend our next HARTA meeting, scheduled for Monday, April 11 at the ISC building. Bring some of the treasures from your past to share in our table-top garage sale and browse the tables to find new treasures for your home. All proceeds benefit our scholarship fund. See more in the newsletter regarding our program for the April meeting and the remaining HARTA trips for this year. See you at the April meeting! Your President, Mary Widmier

HARTA Meetings ~ 2010 ~ 2011 Our gatherings begin with a social time and refreshments at 9:30 and business meeting at 10:00. When luncheons are held, they follow the business meeting. We meet at: HISD Instructional Support Center 4810 Magnolia Cove Kingwood, Texas

April 11 th, 2011 Meeting - Fraud & Safety May 16th, 2011 Meeting and Luncheon HARTA does not have meetings (or newsletters) in January, March, June, July, or November.

President – Mary Widmier - 281-361-6125 1st Vice Pres. - Carolyn Monroe – 281-361-0770

IMPORTANT! Mark your calendar for the Newsletter Deadline: April 29th, 2011. We would like to include your trips, news and celebrations! Send to: padinhoble@gmail.com, or at 114 Club Island Way, Montgomery, TX 77356

Housekeeping: Please go to the TRTA website and sign up for their legislative update - www.trta.org. Although HARTA sends them out, and some excerpts are included in this newsletter, they are timelier and more effective if sent straight to your email inbox. Dues Time: Please plan to pay your HARTA and TRTA dues this month or as soon as possible (before June). This will help us meet the TRTA deadlines. A form is attached. Give one to a friend! Thank you!

April Meeting Highlights Program: Officer Rick Peters from the Humble Police Department will be the speaker at our April meeting. Officer Peters will be giving us the latest information on crime in our area; he will also address crime prevention. Yums: Thanks to those who will bring snacks: Anne Shannon, Faith Hiller, Paula McCreary, Jane Turner, Sandra Fountain, Barbara Probandt. And juices: Shirley Meeker, and Patsy Daw. Thanks to the following with Gifts for Scholarship Donation in April :Sunny Smith, Patsy Spitzmiller, Karen Geffert, Patsy Daw, Carol Parten, Carolyn Mashburn, Susan Burroughs, Artie DeHart and Mary Peterson. A reminder to all members: Please bring items for the Family Literacy Program if you would like to donate, including hand sanitizer, diapers (any size), kleenex, Clorox wipes, baby wipes, and plastic gloves. We will present the Family Literacy Program of Humble ISD, Penny Emerson, Coordinator of Special Programs, with a check for $200 as our Book Project. HARTA Table-Top Garage Sale Bring all your softly used items to donate for the sale on April 11. All proceeds are donated to our scholarship fund. Each year two seniors entering the field of education are chosen for the grants. Mark your items to sell and bring your checkbooks. After all, you will want to be part of the fun, and you can't go home empty handed!

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Greetings from Humble ISD Superintendent, Guy Sconzo

Editor’s Note: Dr Sconzo is usually the first to get his information to me for the newsletter, but I sent a very late request to him, and he was heading to Austin to protect the interests of the district. He sends his apologies for not contributing this month, and I send my apologies to Dr. Sconzo and to our readers. Meanwhile, from the Humble ISD Website…

Humble ISD School Board Election, May 14, 2011

In Position 1; One year term: Daniel Ledoux, Fred Rosenberg, Johnny O’Connor, Susan B. Leopold, Robert Sitton, and Vernon Reed. You may recall meeting Robert Sitton at our HARTA meeting in February. In Position 2; Three year term: David P. Martin In Position 3; Three year term: Robert Scarfo, and Wade Woodard. Robert Scarfo has been a member of HARTA for many years, and was with us in February, and attends most of our meetings. Early voting will be held May 2 through May 10. For more details, see the Humble ISD website.

We’re Proud To Be Humble! Humble ISD Named to Achievement List by the College Board

Humble ISD is one of fewer than 400 school districts in the nation being honored by the college board with a place on its AP Achievement List for opening AP classroom doors to a significantly broader pool of students, while maintaining or improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher. College Board President Gaston Caperton states, "The AP Achievement List districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP Exam scores.” “These districts are living proof that when access to AP is provided for the range and breadth of prepared and motivated students, districts can achieve even higher learning outcomes for their students…,” said Trevor Packer, vice president of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program.

Legislative Update: Tim Lee, TRTA Executive Director

Support the Coleman Amendment to Restore TRS-Care Funding TRTA members have worked diligently since this session began asking their legislators to restore funding to the TRS-Care health insurance program. After months of crafting their final budget recommendation, the House Appropriations Committee did NOT recommend any restoration to cuts imposed on TRS-

Care or the TRS pension trust fund. This week, the House of Representatives will debate the budget proposal and have an opportunity to amend it. Specifically, the House will have a chance to vote on an amendment filed by Representative Garnet Coleman (D-147). His amendment restores funding to the TRS-Care program to the full 1 percent level! The Texas House will have a chance to vote in favor of protecting your TRS health insurance program and help keep your premiums from increasing as much as 80 percent! TRTA encourages you to call your legislators using our toll-free Contact Your Legislator Hotline (1.888.674.3788). This line is staffed by state personnel Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thank you to Representative Garnet Coleman for filing this important amendment. Thank you to all of our TRTA members and supporters contacting your legislators. Your help will bring the necessary attention to this vital amendment! BREAKING NEWS on April 2 - Coleman Amendment (HB1) Shifted in Budget to Article 11 due to Lack of Funds An amendment offered by Representative Garnet Coleman to restore full funding to the TRS-Care health insurance program was moved at the author's request to Article 11 of the Texas budget. Article 11 is often referred to as the "wish-list" and it includes projects that the Legislature would like to fund, but may not have designated how to fund. As you already know, the Coleman amendment would increase funding for the TRS-Care fund; however, its funding mechanism resides in another bill (HB 2001) and that bill may or may not pass this session. No other new budget dollars were allocated to fund the TRS-Care program during tonight's budget debate, and the Coleman amendment was moved to the wish-list article for possible future action. TRTA members need to know that this was not a defeat, but merely another step in a very long process. The Texas Senate is still working on finding additional revenue sources to help fund the TRS-Care program, as is the TRTA trying to find additional budget resources for this continuing debate. We must all continue to work together so that health care funding for TRS retirees is a priority this session. TRTA will be at the Capitol all week watching this debate and asking for member support. We need all TRTA members and everyone else interested in this important issue to contact their Texas House member. A Great Success!TRTA Day at the Capitol Makes Impact on Texas Legislature More than 800 TRTA members converged on the Texas Capitol to stress the importance of maintaining state appropriations to the TRS-Care health insurance program and TRS pension trust fund. TRTA members delivered a message to the Texas Legislature and it came through loud and clear...RESTORE FUNDING TO TRS AND TRS-

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CARE; PROTECT OUR HEALTH CARE PROGRAM!! In addition, many legislators promised they would fight any effort to transition the pension fund from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan. Legislators in both the Texas Senate and House recognized the work done by TRTA volunteers to improve the livelihood of all public education retirees. Senator Robert Duncan and Representative Vicki Truitt authored resolutions recognizing this week as TRTA week. This news was met with loud applause from the hundreds of retirees taking nearly every seat in the public galleries. In fact, the Texas Senate was standing room only! Dozens senators spoke in favor of the resolution in the Texas Senate. Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst commented that the Texas Senate budget proposal is placing a higher priority on TRS and TRS-Care. TRTA members need to know that their participation in the TRTA Day at the Capitol made a difference for TRS retirees this legislative session! With over 800 participants attending the Capitol event, and over 2,500 emails sent in just 3 hours, legislators heard from their constituents. Many expressed a deep commitment to keep their promise to education retirees and work to restore funding to the TRS-Care program and TRS pension fund. We also want to thank our state elected officials. EVERYONE worked hard to make this a great event. We extend our sincerest gratitude to state Senator Robert Duncan, Representative Vicki Truitt and their wonderful staff for making this a successful event. We also appreciate every member of the Texas Senate and House who addressed the crowd in the galleries. These heartfelt comments are appreciated. As a final thought about how we should approach the remainder of this legislative session, consider the statement Senator Royce West offered from the floor of the Texas Senate: “…the question is ‘what happens when you leave?’ We need to make certain that as we weather the storms of the financial crisis that we are in, that we don’t forget our retired teachers.” TRTA will continue to push for you this entire legislative session, doing all we can to ensure that no legislator has the opportunity to forget the great service you have given to this state. TRTA Day Report from District - District IV filled three buses for the trip to Austin and were well represented at the TRTA rally. There were so many of us visiting our state representatives and senators, that most of the time, we filled their offices and there was standing room only. But the most important thing is that we got our point across. The weather was beautiful even if we had to get up at the crack of dawn and drive in the dark to the buses (glad I am not working or working for pay anymore). As Tim says, we filled the Senate Chambers and many of the senators spoke about their

appreciation of retired teachers and acknowledged that it was their teachers who are responsible for their being a state senator today. Although they all praised us, we will see how they vote. Rep. Bill Callegari told us to start watching when the voting starts and June 1 is the magic date. As one retiree said on the ride back as we were devouring our delicious box lunch from Jason's deli, "Can you imagine all of this for $16?" She was talking about the round trip bus ride, the ice cream social, the recognition in the Senate Gallery, the visit to our state representatives and senators, the wonderful visits we had on the bus, the stop at the bakery near La Grange and of course the box lunch. Yes, the trip was a great value and thank you to Dottie Gardner and Marcy Cann for making all of this possible for our District IV membership. Brenda Ritter TRTA Day Report from HARTA - A group of HARTA members joined others from across the state in TRTA Day at the Capitol. You can be sure that our numbers were evident and our message was heard! As a follow-up to this event, Representative Dan Huberty held Town Hall Meetings on March 26th in the Humble and Crosby area.

HARTA Members Spotted at the Capital: Carolyn Monroe, JoNell Parker,Mary Widmier, Artie DeHart, Pete and Jackie Hinojosa, with HARTA member and State Representative Dan Huberty. Not pictured: John Widmier.

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Carolyn Monroe’s

Visit www.TRTA.org for links to send letters to your State Representatives and Senators. Also stay involved with TRTA through our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/TRTA-Texas-Retired-Teachers-Association/126989714019649#!/pages/TRTA-Texas-Retired-Teachers-Association/126989714019649) . Not a member of TRTA? You don’t have to be a retiree from education to join. If you, your friends and family care about the causes put forward by TRTA, and the retirees that these issues will help, you can join for $25 a year. You will gain the benefits listed at www.TRTAbenefits.com

FIGHT FRAUD : There are several useful resources for ensuring your online safety. Bookmark these! FTC.gov - The Federal Trade Commission's site has lots of fact sheets that tell you what to do you if you've been scammed. Under the Consumer Protection tab, click on "Consumer Information" and then "Shopping for Products & Services." Don't miss the helpful primers on what to do if you're billed for merchandise you never receive and "How to right a wrong." Safeshopping.org - This site is sponsored by the American Bar Association and is packed with advice on safe payment methods, protecting your privacy when you shop, and other need-to-know topics. OnGuardOnline.gov - This site has tips on Internet shopping and is sponsored by government agencies. Quizzes test your knowledge of spyware, online auctions, ID theft, and more. Anti-phishing.org - The Anti-Phishing Working Group, an industry-sponsored association, has a tip sheet on how to avoid being scammed. Click on "Consumer Advice," then "How to Avoid Phishing Scams." Check sellers Before you do business with anyone, go to the Better Business Bureau, at www.bbb.org/us. Grades A to F are based on how long the seller has been in business and how good a job it does resolving complaints. Other sites that are worth a look include SiteJabber.com, Complaints.com, and RipoffReport.com, for its user reviews. Also do a Google search of the site or retailer and the word "complaints."

Health and Wellness Committee

Super Foods~About Cancer And Nutrition From Cancer Centers of America Yogurt: Scientists have found that the active culture of bacteria in yogurt, which is called Lactobacillus, actually helps to fortify the immune system. Studies have shown that the use of yogurt in the diet has triples the internal production of interferon which the immune system uses against tumor cells. Yogurt has also been

shown to raise the level of natural killer cells. Yogurt has also been proven to slow down the growth of tumor cells in the GI tract and is able to improve the immune systems ability to destroy active tumor cells. Choose brands that state “contains live and active cultures” on the package. Avoid sweetened yogurt due to the high sugar content. Garlic: Garlic has been found to stimulate natural protection against tumor cells. It has been discovered that garlic is toxic to invading pathogens and tumor cells, however it is harmless to normal, healthy cells. Carotenoids: Carotenoids and bioflavonoids absorb dangerous particles. They have the potential to stimulate the immune system. There is some evidence that both of these may be toxic to tumor cells. Carotenoids can be found in green and orange fruits and vegetables. Bioflavonoids are found in citrus, whole grains, honey, and other plant foods. Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower all have an active ingredient called “indoles” which have been proven to be protective against cancer. These vegetables are able to increase the body’s production of important protective enzymes. Legumes: Also known as seed foods. These foods have a unique ability to envelop tumor cells and prevent their growth. Others: Apples, apricots, barley, citrus fruit, cranberries, fiber, figs, fish oil, fish, ginger, green tea, spinach, and seaweed have the ability to slow tumor growth in various ways.

Volunteer Op for the Pops Kingwood Pops is looking for some very organized

people to volunteer help organizing selling tickets and to be their Treasurer. They are asking us because they know that former teachers are very organized and

might have some time on their hands. Contact: Ruth Clark 281-360-6238 Home 281-793-9286 Cell

1-Patsy Daw, Patricia Pace, Diane Trautman, 3-Mike Holden, 5, Jerald Smith, 6-Francy Angstman, Marian Manchack, Bruce Smith, 7-Georgia Kehoe, Margaret Smith, 10-Ann Cavener, Fred Hendricks, 13-Stephen Hummel, 14-Carlos Dos Santos, 15-Judy Mayhew, 16-Linda Quillan, Anna Ruth Sumerwell, 18-Faith Hiller, Ed Nimitz, 19-Nancy Caperton, Virginia Windley, 25-Carol Kelly, 26-JeanDenning, Nancy Pinkerton, Ken Schrader, 27-Janet Wallace, 28-Loweta Jorgensen, 29-Martha Kovacs, Sharlene Wiggins, 30-Jan Resell

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HARTA members on the town; dinner at Amedeo's, Kingwood Pops playing Broadway Hits, then dessert at Carolyn and Mark Clapp's. Great group, great evening, great friends.

Several trips are in the final stages of planning for HARTA. More details will be announced at the April 11 th meeting, through email and our next newsletter. May 3 – Miniature Horse Farm and Texas A&M Veterinary School. This one could use a sponsor. Contact Karen Seay 281-360-6313 June 5 – Theatre Under The Stars Production of Rock of Ages. 2:00 Matinee. Spaghetti Warehouse to eat. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. It's five time 2009 Tony Award® nominee. Sponsors: Linda Hitchings and Karen Seay. August- First or Second Monday and Tuesday – Casino Coushatta Bus Trip. Sponsor: Arthur Tipton

Are You Interested in Geneology? Are you a beginner wanting to start digging into your family roots? We are planning a trip to Clayton Library in September; a librarian will conduct a 45-minute orientation on using the library, we will have a 15-minute tour of the facility, and then have some time to start using the resources available. For those of you who are truly new to this “addiction” and want some individual help before going to Clayton contact me at carolyn_monroe@yahoo.com or call 281-361-0770.

Harris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program and Fun4Seniors has these activities coming up. They are open to anyone 50+. These are not HARTA activities or trips. For the following trips to Cirque Du Soleil and Rockets:

� Individuals must be 50 and older.

� If you purchase a ticket, you are required to

ride the Harris County Precinct 4’s bus.

� Make reservations by calling Harris County

Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program at (281) 893-

3726. Note reservation starting dates.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Production of OVO

Thursday, April 7 at 4 p.m. - $25 per person A spell binding live production complete with amazing acrobats, beautiful symphonic music, and breathtaking costumes. First-come, first-served reservations begin Monday, February 21at 8 a.m. From Humble Civic Center, departing at 2:15 p.m.

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks Monday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Toyota Center $25 per person Blast off for an exciting evening when the Houston Rockets basketball team takes on the Dallas Mavericks. This red hot Texas rivalry will keep you on the edge of your seats as these two teams vie for the win and bragging rights. A maximum of four tickets per person can be purchased for individuals First-come, first-served reservations begin Monday, March 14 at 8 a.m. From Humble Civic Center, departing at 6 p.m.

Treasurer’s Report from Carol Parten Account Balances, March 31, 2011: General Fund Balance - $10,703.08 Scholarship Fund Balance $5,203.49

Membership Report from Carolyn Monroe 425 HARTA Members 116 Friends of HARTA 541 Total Membership

State Representative Dan Huberty, HARTA Pres. Mary Widmier, District Pres. Douthulia Gardner, and Legis. Chair Marcy Cann at Feb. HARTA meeting

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Each year HARTA has been able to endow two scholarships to high school seniors with plans to major in Education due to the generous donations made to the:

HARTA Scholarship Contribution Form ~ “In Memory o r In Celebration” Credit the Humble Area Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund: Amount $___________________Please send an acknowledgment letter: Please Check One:__in memory of, OR__in celebration of (name)_____________________________ (Give the name and address of the person who should receive an acknowledgment letter.) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Please send an acknowledgement letter to me: (PRINT your name and address.) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Please make your check payable to: Humble ISD Scholarship Fund. On the “Memo” portion of your check, write HARTA Scholarship. Mail your form and check to: HARTA c/o Sunny Smith P.O. Box 342 Humble, TX 77347

Humble Area Retired Teachers Assoc//Texas Retired Teachers Association Membership Enrollment Form

Name________________________________________ Date_______ Amount Paid ____*

Street_________________________________City_____________State_____Zip______ Check the membership New Lifetime Renewing Associate “Friend of that pertains to you: Member____ Member ___Member___ Member____ HARTA”____

Phone Number_________________ E-mail Address_______________________

(We will send legislative updates and breaking news) From which school/dept/district

did you retire?_____________________________ Your Birthday (mo. & day)__________

Join for spouses/friends who are not TRS retirees: Name of Friend of HARTA” ____________________ “Friend of HARTA’s” Birthday (mo. & day)______

How did you hear about HARTA?_ _____________________________________________ *Annual Dues for Members and Associate Members: $30 ($5-HARTA- local & $25 -TRTA-state)

“Friend of HARTA”: $5 (local only).

Please make your check payable to:

HARTA

Mail it to: HARTA, PO Box 14984,

Humble, TX 77347 Attn: Carol Parten