New Slate for the New Year

In accordance with UCLARA Bylaws, the Nominating Committee sub-mitted its recommendations to fill open positions for 2018-19 Associa-tion officers to the Board of Directors at its March meeting, as follows:

President: Sue Abeles

Vice President: John Dahl

Secretary: Nancy Varat

Member-at-Large: Elizabeth Juncosa

Member-at-Large: Lynn Sasai

Corresponding Secretary: Mary Ann Sherritt

This slate of candidates has been unanimously approved by the UCLARA Board of Directors. Now, voting members will be asked for a vote of support via email, or via regular mail if you don’t have email. Please watch for your ballot and respond.

Each of these outstanding candidates has served previously in other po-sitions on the Board of Directors, and we look forward to having them in their new positions beginning July 1. You can read more about them, along with new members in appointed positions, in our next issue.

John Dahl, Chair Nominating Committee

Health Benefits Update

The UCLA Retirees Association (UCLARA) and the UCLA Emeriti Association continue to closely follow the retiree health benefits discussions that are tak-ing place at the UC Office of the President. As has been previous-ly reported, the associations suc-cessfully advocated on behalf of retirees to defer a Regents Fi-nance Committee agenda item to rescind the 70% floor on UC con-tributions to retiree health.

Since that time, UC President Ja-net Napolitano asked constituent groups* to nominate representa-tives to serve on the Retiree Health Benefits Working Group. This group has been charged with exploring options that will ensure the long-term financial viability of the retiree health benefits pro-gram and the quality of the health benefits offered. The group has been asked to present its analysis to UC leadership by June 2018.

UPDATE: At a recent meeting of our constituent groups, our representatives to the Working Group reported that the analysis shared to date has been primarily financial in nature and that none of the scenarios presented has been discussed in great detail or reviewed in terms of consequenc-es to retirees. It is our representa-tives’ intent to ensure the Work-ing Group is aware of the person-al consequences to retirees of the various options under considera-tion and that the options are viewed through multiple filters before final recommendations are made. They expressed apprecia-tion to those retirees who have

shared comments with them and encouraged additional feedback.

The Working Group will begin to discuss alternatives in early May. Emeriti and retirees are encour-aged to submit their comments regarding this issue. Specific email addresses have been estab-lished for this purpose.

Retirees should click here to sub-mit comments via email.

*The Council of UC Emeriti As-sociations (CUCEA) and the

Council of UC Retiree Associa-tions (CUCRA) are the UC sys-temwide organizations, com-prised of emeriti and retirees from each UC location, who volunteer to represent retiree/emeriti inter-ests to the University.

Sincerely,

Rod Rose President, UCLA Retirees Association

Stephen Cederbaum President, UCLA Emeriti Association

2

We are delighted to announce two upcoming events especially for retirees that you are sure to enjoy. To register for either or both, call the Emeriti/Retirees Rela-tions Center at 310-825-7456.

Mrs. Block's Recital for Retirees Mrs. Carol Block, wife of UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, invites

UCLA retirees to the UCLA Chancellor's Residence for a vio-lin recital by Priyanka Venkatesh (pictured), followed by a brief reception. The event will be on Tuesday, May 22, from 4-5 p.m., and is free of charge. You have been invited to attend this event in appreciation of your hard work and dedication to UCLA.

From a young age, Priyanka Ven-katesh displayed a natural ability for the violin which eventually led her to become co-concertmaster of the Pacific Sym-phony Youth Orchestra in Orange County and also to win its annual Concerto Competition. She is cur-rently pursuing her Doctor of Mu-sical Arts degree at UCLA.

Mrs. Block’s Spring Recital se-ries is now in its 11th year of rec-ognizing groups from across cam-pus and showcasing student musi-cians at UCLA.

Retiree/Emeriti Picnic 2018 After a three-year hiatus, the UCLA retiree/emeriti picnic is returning on Saturday June 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the UCLA Botan-ical Garden, La Kretz Pavilion.

Cost is $15 for UCLARA and UCLA Emeriti Association mem-bers and $20 for non-members.

This popular event will feature a menu of sandwiches and salads from Mendocino Farms and cook-ies from Belmont Village, fun activities and door prizes. Sever-al retiree service providers, in-cluding Health Net, Kaiser, An-them, Fidelity, University Credit Union, Belmont Village Senior Living and the Botanical Garden Foundation will be on hand to answer questions and provide in-formation about their organiza-tions. Optional garden walking tours will be offered at 1:30 p.m.

The picnic is co-sponsored by the UCLA Retirees Association, the Emeriti/Retirees Relations Center and the UCLA Emeriti Associa-tion.

Location: The La Kretz Pavilion is just inside the Botanical Gar-den's main gate, which is located just south of the intersection of Tiverton and Charles E. Young Drives.

Parking: Remember to bring your retiree/emeriti parking per-mit or RideCard if you have one. In addition, metered street park-ing can be found on Le Conte Av-enue, near the Garden’s south gate, and on Manning Drive.

A courtesy shuttle, generously provided by Belmont Village, will run from Parking Lot A (adjacent to the Faculty Center) and Parking Structure 2. A lim-ited number of disabled spaces are available on Tiverton Drive near the garden's main entrance. Guests may also be dropped off at the entrance to the garden before parking.

Save the Date!

14th Annual UCLARA Arts & Crafts Exhibit

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Help Wanted

Committee Assistance, Pub-licity Assistance, and Set-up

Be a part of the

14th Annual Exhibit! Show your creations at the

next Exhibit. Sell your creations

(optional) at the next Exhibit.

If you would like to be con-sidered for participation, contact Nancy Varat at nvarat@verizon.net for

application information. Applications are due by

June 1.

Taking a Hike

March 27 was a clear, breezy day, per-fect conditions for a hike in Kenneth Hahn State Park for an energetic group from the Retirees Association. Views were excellent, and the group enjoyed an after-hike lunch at La Dijonaise.

Two Special Opportunities!

3

UCLARA Around the Town

Save the Date!

We’ve been busy planning all sorts of activities for you to enjoy with your fellow retirees. Save the date, look for invitations in the coming months, and let us know your ideas for future programs. Contact Judith Tuch at judithtuch@sbcglobal.net.

May 26: Attend the UCLA Musical Theater student production of Spring Awakening on Saturday at 2 p.m., chronicling a group of late 19th-century German students as they navigate teenage self-discovery and coming-of-age anxiety.

July 14: Join us for a day tr ip to Lotusland in Montecito to see the magnificent gardens and lotus in bloom.

August (date TBA): A morning visit to the Hollywood Bowl to lis-ten to a rehearsal of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

From Giraffes to Windmills: A Memorable Visit

A group of about 30 UCLA Retirees Associ-ation members and guests spent a busy and exhilarating three days in the desert February 14-16. Activities, cen-tered in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, in-cluded getting up close and personal with wind

turbines and also with giraffes, touring art museums, enjoying a cocktail party at a member’s home, and experiencing “VillageFest,” all in the company of their fellow Bruins.

The festivities began on Wednesday afternoon with a comprehensive tour of the windmill farms that generate “wind energy.” Participants learned all about their history, the various kinds and capacities, how they work, and the future of wind energy. We also enjoyed the photo ops afforded by getting up close to these huge machines.

That evening, UCLARA Board member Sue Abeles and her husband Mike hosted a lovely cocktail party for the group at their beautiful vaca-tion home in La Quinta.

Bright and early Thursday morning, we were on a tram at The Living Desert, enjoying a tour of this famous and beautiful animal preserve. At the giraffe exhibit, we were each given a handful of carrot sticks and mounted a platform which put us at the level of the giraffe’s head – and we literally had the giraffes eating out of our hands. Great fun!

Later that afternoon, we paid a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum, where we joined an interesting docent-led tour. Afterwards, we walked over to the adjacent Village Fest, a Palm Springs institution featuring

arts, crafts, food and entertain-ment.

If that weren’t enough, the enjoy-ment continued on Friday with a caravan trip to the outdoor Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Art in Joshua Tree. Purifoy, an artist and sculptor who died in 2004, was known for his assemblage sculpture, includ-ing works made from charred debris and wreckage collected after the Watts Riots of 1965. Kudos and thanks go to Program Chair Judith Tuch and her Pro-gram Committee for arranging the trip.

Hallie Masler Newsletter Editor

Build Strengths to Stay Healthy

Dr. Wendy Slusser, Associate Vice Provost for the Healthy Campus Initiative, gave an inspir-ing after-lunch talk on March 8 to an attentive audience. Dr. Slusser’s talk involved two relat-ed questions: What if we had a path for success that was attaina-ble to all of us? And what if it were as simple as identifying and building on our own and others’ strengths rather than focusing on what we perceive as our deficits?

We improve health by identifying our passions and capacities rather than dwelling on our deficits or illnesses. “What are you good at?” she challenged us to ask our-selves.

The program ended with a strong feeling of connection and commu-nity well-being.

Vicki Steele UCLA Librarian Emeritus

4

Life After UCLA: Notes from Retirees

Share with other readers how you spend your time: traveling, volunteering, playing, working, or pondering the meaning of life. Send your entry of about 500 words to Hallie Masler, halliem720@gmail.com.

The summer of 1965, Horace Mann Elementary School, during major construction, decided to offer a 7th grade gourmet cooking class with electricity but no run-ning water. We had a neighbor’s garden tap, and we cooked and scrubbed—with water buckets—to our hearts’ content! I fearlessly added flour, all at once, to my boiling cream puff batter and achieved the only cream puffs that blossomed in a classroom awash in little fried balls. I knew then the lifeblood of a chef ran through my veins! After a five-year career in Art Conservation, I spent the next 31 years as a Development Director for cultural, educational, and medical organizations, retiring from UCLA in 2006. I learned, early on, that if you showed up with goodies the “I can give you a few minutes,” turned into tea, coffee, and an afternoon or even-ing of munchies and the inevita-

ble gift! And since I couldn’t cook for donors without cooking for friends, my famous Hallow-een Party was born 30 years ago and continues in an ever more lavish form now that I am retired. While themed, it was not intended as a costume party until I opened the door to 40 vicious pirates! The Chicago Tribune syndicated an article touting my hobo party, complete with hors d’oeuvres in bandanas tied to sticks, and stew in containers fished out of a trash can. Condiments traveled on an electric train. For the pirate party, guests had to complete a model ship to earn dessert, and for the French bistro party they had to complete puz-zles of Kermit the Frog on the Left Bank (the teachers came in last). We have also been on an African safari, to Elizabethan England, and to the circus. We’ve liberated roasted Cornish game hens hanging from nooses in Snow White’s stepmother’s dark dungeon kitchen. The parties morphed into a cooking demon-stration for Surfas Culinary Dis-trict in Culver City and, again, into UCLARA interest group cooking classes, which I am hav-ing a fantastic time teaching. Two scheduled classes quickly became seven! In keeping with my themed holi-day parties, the class participants have experienced the food of Aleppo, Syria; celebrated Bastille Day; baked Witches’ Fingers and a “porcupine” meatloaf for Hal-loween; produced 13 sculpted cakes for the UCLARA holiday

party; challenged vegetarian pat-ted versus rolled pie dough; and threw a Mothers’ Day tea. A number of years ago, faced with a carton of expiring sour cream and an explosion of garden basil (I have had a community organic garden plot for 30 years), I concocted a basil sour cream cookie that took first place in the Napa Valley Grille’s first cooking competition and graced their menu for a year. Naturally, I framed the menu! Recently, a friend convinced me to enter the 2017 Los Angeles Times holiday cookie bake-off. I made a good showing with the same recipe. A consummate volunteer, I am on six boards of directors, including the Battalion 4 Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team; Hilltop Neighbors Associ-ation; Tikvah Group of Hadassah Southern California, supporting Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel; the Armenian Interna-tional Medical Fund, supporting cochlear implants in Armenia; Centinela Crest Homeowners’ Association; and Friends of His-toric Fire Station 62, a new non-profit created to establish Mar Vista’s first community center. I am a past member of the board of Theatre 40, the resident profes-sional theater of Beverly Hills, and Rotary Club of Beverly Hills. I also draw, paint, and sculpt; col-lect Medieval and Renaissance-themed mystery novels; and have started a baking business. Life is delicious!

Food Is the Nectar of the Gods—by Judith Deutsch

Halloween at Judith’s house

5

Interest Groups

Groups and Contacts Interest groups are open to all UCLARA members. The following groups are accepting new members. If you would like to participate in one, please call or email the contact listed:

Tarzana Book Club, third Wednesdays, 1 p.m.

Club readings are chosen according to a theme or topic agreed upon by members.

Maggie McGinley, 323-937-1850, maggiemcg@mac.com

Intermediate Scrabble, 1st Thursdays, 1:15 p.m., on campus

Hallie Masler, 310-446-2090, halliem720@gmail.com

Hiking, 9 a.m. on dates scheduled. Emails sent one week ahead with location, directions, etc.

Liz Taylor, 310-836-1073, mtaylora@ucla.edu, or

Sheena Ricchio, 310-709-4489, sheenarr@aol.com

Valley Intermediate Mah-Jongg, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Henri’s Restaurant, Canoga Park

Pat Lotker, 805-492-8087, pathl@verizon.net

Intermediate Bridge, 3rd Thursdays, 11:45 a.m., on campus

Mary Petersen, 310-459-3646, mary.petersen@anderson.ucla.edu

Jewelry Making, occasional Mondays, 10 a.m., various locations

Accepting names for wait list

Robin Broudy Johns, 310-488-6864, rbroudyjohns@gmail.com

Cooking, as scheduled. Takes place in members’ kitchens

May (date TBA): Field trip to purchase kitchen necessities

June 28: 11 a.m., Design and cook the perfect summer picnic

Judy Deutsch, 310-390-3016, jsdeutsch1@yahoo.com

Play Reading, 2nd Thursdays, 7 p.m., on campus

May 10: The Room and The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter

June 14: Readers’ Writings -- Excerpts

Rochelle Caballero, rrcab90272@cs.com

Travel, as scheduled. Various locations.

Dolores Dyer, 805-758-0053, ddyer44@verizon.net

Engaging Shaw is a delightful play a group of Retirees Association members enjoyed at Thea-tre 40 of Beverly Hills on Sunday afternoon, March 25. The play is the true story of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw and his rela-tionship with a wealthy heiress – a witty and charming entertainment. Before the play, Board member Judith Tuch hosted a lovely re-ception at her home, which is just down the street from the theater.

New Club: Texas Hold ’em Exciting news: We are forming a new interest group dedicated to playing Texas Hold ’em in a friendly, cash-free setting where fun prizes instead of cash will be awarded. For those not familiar with poker, training sessions will be offered. Day and time are to be decided by players. Contact Mike Clark at 323-661-9639 or mikeclark772@gmail.com. Canasta Anyone? There’s a brand new group about to launch in Beginning Canasta. We have a teacher; all we need are members interested in learning. Get in on the ground floor of this new group and have some fun! Let us know of your interest by con-tacting Judy Dattels at ju-dydat@ucla.edu. Technology Enhances Book Club The Wednesday afternoon book group used modern technology at a recent meeting to reach back into Edwardian England. Member Mike Clark arranged a Skype visit with Helen Simonson, author of Summer Before the War, a novel set in rural England and the trench-es of WWI. Ms. Simonson com-bines the humor of British mores and class lines of that time with the horrors of war to create a well-researched book filled with engag-ing characters. Talking to this con-genial author was a special event, and we promised to chat again in 2020 when her third novel will be published. Thank you to Mike for contacting the author, to Maggie McGinley for setting up Skype, and to Barbara Wold for hosting.

6

Spin That Wheel!

Pat Sajak and Vanna White were happy to welcome about 30 Retirees Associa-tion members to a taping of their popu-lar TV show, “Wheel of Fortune,” on April 5. The group got to see three of the half-hour shows, which were taped live at the Sony Studios in Culver City. Attendees enjoyed being entertained by announcer Jim Thornton between show tapings, dutifully applauded when asked, and a good time was had by all.

Come Cruise With Us!

Join your fellow retirees on a 5-day cruise to Cabo San Lucas — the UCLARA Travel Group’s first big event and the first time UCLARA has offered this oppor-tunity! Sail date: October 22, 2018 aboard the Princess Cruise Lines, Ruby Princess Itinerary: 10/22 San Pedro 10/23 At sea 10/24 Cabo San Lucas 10/25 Cabo San Lucas 10/26 At sea 10/27 San Pedro Points of interest include the vil-lage of Todos Santos, snorkeling, riding the dolphins, and whale watching. Prices: $549 Interior $649 Ocean View $749 Balcony You can park at the San Pedro ship terminal for $18 per day. Most shuttles will take you there and pick you up, and there are also Uber and Lyft. We have a vacation planner at Princess ready to help you and answer your questions. Please contact Ron at Princess Cruis-es, 800-901-1172, Ext. 41810. Cruise number R 847 N -UCLARA Octoberfest. Don’t miss this fun adventure! The UCLARA Travel Group is open to all members who like to travel, providing an opportunity to travel together and share their experiences, tips, and videos.

Retiree Strength & Balance Classes

Did you know that UCLA Recrea-tion offers a series of Retiree Strength & Balance classes just for retirees? Consisting of stretching and various exercises, they provide a great workout. The classes are offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m., and are held in the new Kin-ross Recreation Center (KREC) off Veteran Avenue. Cost is $35 per four-week section. For ques-tions and to sign up, contact Juli-ane Nguyen at jnguyen@recreation.ucla.edu, or you can register in person at either KREC or the John Wooden Cen-ter. Section 3: Tuesdays, May 1-22 Section 4: Thursdays, May 3-24 Contact Juliane for future sec-tions.

News from the ERRC Upcoming events: First Fridays Technical Tutori-al (Friday, June 1, 10 a.m.- noon, Young Research Library). Laptop, tablet, smart phone, and more in a one-on-one setting, Bruin Tech volunteers can help you navigate your electronic de-vices. The ERRC coordinates these tutorial sessions on the first Friday of every other month. There are no sessions during sum-mer quarter, so this will be the last one until October. Sessions are limited to 20 minutes if others are waiting. To register, call (310) 825-7456. Fidelity Guidance Consulta-tions. Emeriti, retir ees and ac-tive employees can ask questions about their retirement accounts remaining with the UC Retire-ment System or review financial planning for specific situations by meeting with Fidelity Retirement Planner Andrew Fung, CRPC®, at the ERRC. Call (866) 682-7787 to arrange an appointment at the UCLA Emeriti/Retirees Rela-tions Center. Emeriti/Retiree Privileges. As a reminder, the ERRC coordinates a variety of retiree privileges, in-cluding parking and BruinCards and offers complimentary notary services by appointment for retir-ees and their spouses/partners. Contact the ERRC at (310) 825-7456 for details.

7

PUBLICATIONS BLOCK

UCLARA NEWSLETTER by the University of California, Los Ange-les Retirees’ Association and the Emeriti/Retirees Relations Center at UCLA:

1116 Rolfe Hall, Box 951437

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1437

Phone: 310-825-7456

Fax: 310-825-1572

Email: emeriti@errc.ucla.edu

Web: www.retirees.ucla.edu

Editor: Hallie Masler

Assistant Editor: Mary Miller

Compositor: Eric Wang

ERRC Director: Sue Barnes

ERRC Staff: Maria Lubrano Eric Wang

Grand Opening

Belmont Village Senior Living, which provides financial support to UCLARA each year, has opened a new retirement community in Calabasas. The new com-munity, which celebrated its grand open-ing on March 24 and 25, offers a full range of programs and support for its residents. For more information, call (818) 222-2600.

A Special Welcome

to New Members Peter Balam Helen Berman John Berger Stephen Chorna Debby Edwards Angela Farrell Maryann Fataen Sandra Fiala James Frederick Yvette Ghaly Jane Glade Mavis Harris Lynn Ho Wayne Howard Jeanne Marie Hundley JoAnn Janes Shirley Kern May Kramer Helen Lee Elaine Maxwell Linda Mira Stella-Ann Moore Andrea Nolan Velinda Paranal Marta Peterson Pamela Polin Brahmavar Prabhu Carol Rhodes Katherine Rogowski Elizabeth Rubien Sharon Sampogna Marilyn Saunders Irene Stuart Bill Sutherling Sumiko Takayamagi Daniel Warren Eileen Whitney Peter Zelman

In Memoriam

UCOP has reported the death of the following UCLA annuitants. We are grateful for their service and extend condolences to their families.

Alford, Bonnie Ambersley, Janice Ash, Shulamite Bley, Michael Boland, M. Patricia Contreras, Gloria Cooney, Elizabe Delgadillo, Alejandra Delmendo, Herminio Dirstine, Elizabeth Dorsey, Richard Dowell, William Edmiston, Lennie Fox, Janet Galvez, Eugenio Gary, Johnnie Gibbs, Hugh Gilligan, Shannon Goldberg, Gloria Halma, Felicite Hannie, Sharon Hargaden, Lucille Howard, Susanna Hurst, Donna Jaffy, Brad Javier, Ignacio Jones, Eric Philip Kolb, Joanne Lebsock, Marjorie Jean Leeburg, Lewis Lewis, Ethel Linsday, Helen Kay Looney, James Loski, Drucille Love, Lillian

Marder, Javene Masoud, Makram Botros Munford, Paul Neagu, Silvia Parker, Richard Powell, Alan Randall, Friederike Ridgeway, Dina Rodriguez, George Salkin, Barbara Seidner, Mae Snyder, Carol Solomon, Lillian Stempel, Kerstin Svenson, Elwin Terrell, A. John Vetter, Hazel Welsh, Katharine White, Juanita Winners, Robert Allan Yu, Alberto

Be a Volunteer!

Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.-noon, Northridge, CA

Spend the morning "Greening and Cleaning" a deserving elementary school in the San Fernando Valley. Potential projects include mural painting, building garden boxes, planting and more. Meet students as they present environmental projects. A light breakfast, snacks and lunch will be provided.

Details at: https://www.laworks.com/opportunity/a0C1N00000G5THCUA3

8

UCLARA

C/O UCLA EMERITI/RETIREES

RELATIONS CENTER

1116 ROLFE HALL

BOX 951437

LOS ANGELES CA 90095-1437