America's Best Family Campgrounds

The East Bay Regional Park District’s three family campgrounds were named "best" in the nation according to Reserve America’s Camping Club, America’s largest community of active family campers. The District’s campgrounds at Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Del Valle Regional Park, and Sunol Regional Wilderness were among only eleven listed in California. It’s been a busy summer, too, as these campgrounds are booked on the weekends through August. Space is available on weekdays.

You’re welcome to take part in the evening campfire programs even if you’re not camping. Great family fun! Read more...

CA-10 "Out of Touch" Democrats

The California Political Bubble continues. How can candidates Garamendi and DeSaulnier consider running for the Congressional special election in California’s District 10? Our State Government is broken and in the process of shutting down, these two men are no small part of the problem yet they think voters will send them to Washington. This is what happens to career politicians; they get surrounded by a bubble and lose touch with the people they represent. I can't imagine anybody seriously thinking that these two individuals have done a good job. They represent exactly what is wrong with the State of California. It would be different if these candidates had exercised a leadership role in resolving California's budget crisis. Instead what are they doing in the middle of our financial mess? Running for a Federal office. Whatever happened to public servants sacrificing and working hard to get a difficult the job done? Their only priority is to get reelected. I hope that you will visit http://www.D10CA.com to see the many MUCH more qualified candidates seeking this position.

-Gary Clift

Solano County, CA

Community Responds to Urgent Needs of Shepherd’s Gate

Generous group gives a $50,000 matching challenge to the community--

We will match every donation given, dollar for dollar up to $50,000!

Shepherd’s Gate released information about the urgent need to raise $150,000 by the end of its fiscal year on June 30, 2009 to meet all of the program, ministry, and operational needs of the organization, to prevent cutting back on services to battered and homeless women and children.

A generous group of friends have responded by collecting a $50,000 matching challenge, meaning that every donation given by the community will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000!!!

Recently, Shepherd’s Gate has drastically cut expenses, including cutbacks in staff salaries and has had to lay off some long-time staff members, in an effort to avoid cutting back program services.

“We are so very grateful for this generous opportunity. Meeting this matching challenge is crucial in helping us continue our mission to care for women and children in crisis,” said Steve McRee, executive director of Shepherd’s Gate.
To help Shepherd’s Gate meet this matching challenge, please make a donation online at www.shepherdsgate.org, or mail to 1660 Portola Ave. Livermore, CA 94551 Attn: Accounting. If you have any questions please call Jennifer at (925)443-4283 ext. 204.

Shepherd’s Gate, with campuses in Livermore and Brentwood, serves more than 650 battered and homeless women and children each year. Some arrive with just the clothes on their backs, seeking a fresh start. For more than 25 years, Shepherd’s Gate has served over 9,000 women and children, providing Christ-centered housing and services such as professional counseling, drug and alcohol recovery, and job skills training to help women and children break cycles of abuse, addiction and homelessness. Shepherd’s Gate is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding, and relies on community donations and support.

Danville Farmers’ Market Open Friday, July 3rd

Danville Farmers’ Market Open Friday, July 3rd, Closed Saturday, July 4th

Danville, CA (July, 2009) - Due to the Annual 4th of July Parade and other local activities, the very popular Saturday Danville Farmers’ Market will be closed for the 4th of July. But don’t panic! There will be a special farmers’ market on Friday, July 3rd, 9am to 1pm, in the same parking lot as the Saturday market at Railroad and Prospect. All your favorite producers will be there on the 3rd so you won’t miss a thing. There will be great live music, tasty hot foods, and a special patriotic flag give-away.

The entire Danville community is invited to join us for this patriotic celebration of your local farmers and their fresh and local foods. Market manager, Max Timms, says “There will be great fun, live music and the best produce available. It’s going to be a lot of fun for everyone. Come celebrate the holiday with us.”

Whether you’re looking for juicy peaches, flowering orchids, flavorful onions and zucchini, sweet strawberries, Asian greens, fresh seafood, crisp green beans, vitamin-packed tomatoes or any other summer produce items, you’ll find them at the Danville Farmers’ Market. More than two dozen California farmers and other food producers are expected to be selling their goods in the market on July 3rd.

The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association is the state’s largest operator of Certified Farmers’ Markets, with over 60 Certified Farmers’ Markets weekly in the Bay Area during the peak summer months. Certified Farmers’ Markets are locations that offer only California-grown products sold directly to consumers by the farmers that grew, nurtured and harvested the crops. All PCFMA markets accept WIC FMNP (Woman Infant and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons) and EBT (the Golden State advantage food stamp cards).

For more information on the Danville Farmers’ Market, or to find another farmers’ market in your area, please contact the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at (800) 949-FARM or go to www.pcfma.com.

Onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda

Father's Day onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda

Sunday, June 21

Bring Dad aboard the historic USS Hornet Museum in Alameda on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, to experience "Living Ship Day." Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in mission briefings, see airplanes lifted to the flight deck, and sit in a fighter jet cockpit. Family activities and ship tours will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is ample free parking and a food concession. Admission is adults $14, seniors (65 and older) $12, Military ID and students $12, youth 5-17 $6, under 5 years free with paying adult.

The USS Hornet is a world-class sea, air and space museum with an emphasis on the legacy of naval aviation and the Apollo 11 mission recovery. Open for public tour are the restored flight deck, hangar bays, engine room, flight control, captain's bridge, sick bay, pilot ready rooms and combat information center. Included among the numerous exhibits are the "Apollo Splashdown" display and 15 aircraft ranging from WWII vintage to modern era. Dads can get a close-up look at a TBM Avenger, an F-14 Tomcat, an S-3 Viking, and an authentic Apollo space capsule.

The day before Father's Day, treat Dad to a special Flashlight Tour beginning at 8:30 a.m. and explore the lower decks of the USS Hornet that have not been opened to the public. The tour is $35 per person and includes museum admission for the entire day. Reservations are required.

For Flashlight Tour reservations or information about Living Ship Day call (510) 521-8448, x 282.

The Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to experience naval history, science, and space technology first-hand. A registered State and National Historic Landmark, the ship is permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Avenue, Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. The ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $6-$14 and there is ample free parking across from the pier. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.

USS Hornet Memorial Day Ceremony

USS Hornet Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25

A Memorial Day ceremony will be held onboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, May 25. The event will remember and honor those men and women in the military services who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Veterans of past and present wars will be honored during a special Memorial Day service, followed immediately by a wreath ceremony.

A registered State and National Historic Landmark and American treasure, the USS Hornet serves as a monument to the men and women who have unselfishly defended our country’s freedom throughout the centuries. Visitors can explore the many decks of the ship from Captain’s Bridge to Engine Room. Exhibits include 13 Navy and Marine aircraft, ranging from WWII vintage to modern era, and the West Coast’s largest Apollo Moon Mission display. Tours of the ship will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 with Military I.D., and $6 for kids.

The USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of inspiring people of all ages to experience naval history, science, and space technology first-hand.

The USS Hornet is docked permanently at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda and is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with gates closing at 4 p.m. The ship is berthed at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, in Alameda, CA. Regular admission price is $14 for adults, $12 with Military I.D., and $6 for kids. Free parking. More information: (510) 521-8448 or www.uss-hornet.org. Directions on how to get there.

Woman Involved in Solo Accident in Dublin

Dublin Police diverted southbound traffic on Dougherty Rd. to westbound Amador Valley Blvd., following a solo vehicle accident in Dublin Thursday evening. A 46-year-old woman lost control of her Gray, BMW 330 CI convertible around 7:00 p.m. at the corner of Dougherty Rd. and Ventura Drive. The car hopped the curb, flattening a street sign, came to rest in some bushes, and caught fire. A passing motorist, an off-duty correctional officer, pulled the driver from the car. The woman, who seemed to be alert with no life threatening injuries, was fitted with a neck brace and transported by AMR ambulance to ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton.

View photo slide show.

Steven Ashley Wilson, Freelance Photographer
(925) 200-0283
(925) 556-1570

Nominate a Preschool Teacher in the Bay Area

Join us in recognizing the enormous contributions of preschool teachers in the Bay Area.

Eleven outstanding preschool teachers will be selected by a panel of experts to receive:
• A $100 school supply catalog gift certificate.
• A FREE preschool class field trip to Habitot Children's Museum (up to 15 students ~a $130 value)
• One Habitot annual Family Membership (a $115 value) which may be offered at a fundraising auction or used personally
In addition, each of the winning nominators will receive:
• One Habitot annual Family Membership (a $115 value) this spring.

Nominate a preschool teacher March 29 - May 29, 2009


Download the Preschool Contest PDF form.

Mail, Fax or Email Application to:
Habitot Children's Museum
"PRESCHOOL TEACHERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Attn: Lauren Levin
PMB 326 • 1563 Solano Ave. • Berkeley CA 94707
Habitot Children's Museum • PMB 326 • 1563 Solano Ave • Berkeley, CA 94707 • 510-647-1111 • www.habitot.org
Fax: (510) 647-1110
Email: dassoc@habitot.org
Questions? Call Lauren at (510) 647-1111 x 31

Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

Bernard Madoff 'Made Off' With Investor Money –
How Other Consumers Can Avoid a Similar Fate

Livermore-based financial advisor provides local residents with important questions they need to ask before putting trust in a financial advisor.

Livermore, CA (3/24/09) – Bernard Madoff's alleged Ponzi Scheme stands as an example of how the financial services industry has failed to protect the best interests of consumers. It highlights the increased need for consumers to proceed cautiously when working with an advisor and the importance of asking pointed questions before hiring a professional.

As the post-Madoff era begins and the federal government and industry regulators decide the best course of action to protect consumers, people need to ask the right questions of an existing or potential advisor.

Steve Bell of Steve Bell Financial Planning and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the country's leading association of Fee-Only financial advisors, encourages consumers to take the time to get to know an advisor and gauge his or her commitment to placing clients' interests first.

Find out how the advisor and his or her firm are compensated. Fee-Only compensation has the fewest conflicts of interest, but there are other acceptable methods as long as full disclosure takes place up front. It's important to know if an advisor will make additional money if you follow certain recommendations.

You should always know where your money and securities are actually held. Most reputable advisors will use an unaffiliated custodian for the safe keeping of your assets. This simple check and balance could have saved the Madoff investors millions by bringing the problem to the forefront earlier.

Legally, all clients are entitled to a copy of the firm's Form ADV Part II or brochure. It's a compliance document, that can be pretty dry, but it holds a lot of important information and ultimately shows that the firm is registered with the SEC or state.

"NAPFA and the Fee-Only advisor community are hopeful the new administration, the SEC and other regulatory bodies will enact thoughtful regulations to protect consumers," said Steve Bell, owner of Steve Bell Financial Planning.

Consumers can access a Financial Advisor Checklist and Financial Advisor Diagnostic on the NAPFA website by visiting www.NAPFA.org and clicking on the Tips and Tools button in the Consumer Information section. The Diagnostic tool includes an answer key to help consumers understand NAPFA’s recommendations for the most appropriate answers to the questions.

If you are interested in discussing these important questions with Steve Bell, please contact Steve Bell Financial Planning at 1-800-472-1844, ext 21 or plan@stevebellfp.com.

About Steve Bell Financial Planning

Steve Bell Financial Planning is a comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory firm located in the Livermore, CA. They offer financial planning and advice in the areas of goal planning, retirement planning, investment planning, debt management, risk mitigation, college funding and estate planning .... all on a fee-only, as needed, hourly basis. They also offer investment management services on a percent of balance basis. Unlike many financial planning firms, Steve Bell Financial Planning will not turn away prospective clients just because they fail to meet minimums for income or investment balances, nor will they require a client to commit to a long-term agreement.

For more information on Steve Bell Financial Planning, please visit www.stevebellfp.com.

Free Hair Cuts For Community Folks Who Have Lost Jobs and Homes

Dawn Renee Salon & Day Spa Announces Hair for Hope. A Plan to Offer Free Hair Cuts & More to Members of the Community Who Have Lost Their Jobs and Homes in This Tough Economy.

Concord, CA March 12th, 2009 – Dawn Renee Salon & Day Spa is teaming up with SHELTER, Inc of Contra Costa County to offer free haircuts to Contra Costa County residents who have lost their homes and jobs due to the troubling economy. On Monday, April 6th, from 9 am to 6 pm, Dawn Renee Salon and Day Spa will open its doors to dozens of displaced residents and offer hair cuts, shampoos, child care, donated food and donated toiletries.

Salon Owner, Dawn Renee, said it was a recent episode of Oprah that inspired her. The show reported on the tent cities popping up across the country due to foreclosures. A homeless woman from a Sacramento tent community was interviewed. She had lost her cashier job and her husband was laid off from his construction job. Next thing you know, they were homeless. The lady being interviewed said the hardest part about living in the tent city was not having her own bathroom. She missed being able to wash her face, fix her hair, put makeup on and feel pretty.

"I just started crying," said Dawn Renee. "I thought, how could I help these people? Then the idea to open up my salon doors and offer them the chance to feel confident and pretty came to me. A haircut may seem like a small thing, but when you are trying to schedule job interviews and find housing, a great haircut and a little TLC might give someone the confidence they need to make it happen.”

Dawn Renee immediately started working on bringing this idea to fruition. She found hairdressers to volunteer their time, a local dentist to donate toothbrushes and toothpaste, church groups to offer up childcare, food donations and more. She also teamed up with SHELTER, Inc. of Contra Costa County, a non-profit organization that works to help people find homes. They agreed to pass out haircut vouchers to those in need.

Resource Coordinator for SHELTER Inc, said she knew dozens of deserving individuals that could really use a day at the salon. "In Contra Costa County people are losing their homes at an alarming rate. We have so many families that need housing and not enough places to put them. I know they will benefit so much from this opportunity."

According to Dawn Renee, she felt she needed to do something and there was no way she could offer a monetary donation. (It has been a daily struggle to keep the salon doors open during these tough times.) "My talent is making people feel beautiful and I want to give it to those in need. The outpouring of support has been inspiring; I want the people who have been affected by the horrible circumstances of this economy to know that the community cares about them."

Hair for Hope is still in need of donations of all kinds and volunteers. Please call 925-825-9585 to learn how you can help.

ABOUT Dawn Renee Salon and Day Spa – Located at 2151 Salvio Street Suite T, Concord, CA 94518. We are a full service salon that offers the latest in creative hair design, perms and color; facial and body treatments; waxing, make-up and nail care services. Our clients will experience the finest products the beauty industry has to offer. Owner Dawn Renee is a Master Hair Designer/Colorist, Makeup Artist and Image Development Designer. She has worked in the beauty industry for 30 years and has owned her own salon for 20 years. www.dawnreneesalon.com

ABOUT SHELTER, Inc. – The mission of SHELTER, Inc. is to prevent homelessness and promote self-sufficiency among Contra Costa residents. www.shelterincofccc.org

Danville Artist Receives National Recognition

Danville resident receives National, Regional Recognition for her paintings.

Danville Resident Robin Purcell (NWS,CWA,CAC) has been almost too busy shipping paintings and applications around the country to paint!

Currently she is honored to have a painting on exhibit at the prestigious American Watercolor Society 142nd Annual International Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan, the California Watercolor Association National Exhibition at the Presidio San Francisco (accepted into 4 of the last 5) and the California Art Club Juried Artist Member Exhibit at the Old Mill, San Marino "Celebrating the Golden State".



Closer to home she is in a two person exhibit at the Thomas Moser Cabinetmakers showroom in San Francisco, now through May 12. With a reception March 21 from 2 to 4.

May is the beginning of Plein Air Painting season and Robin has just been juried into the Sonoma Plein Air event, (May 4 to 9) for the second year and the Carmel Art Festival (May 14 to 17th) for the fourth consecutive time. Details on all these events can be found on her blog robinpurcellpaints.blogspot.com

World Peace - You Can Do Your Part

Every Beauty Queen states to the interviewer when asked what she wants to accomplish, "world peace". Even if you are not a beauty queen, you and your family can contribute to world peace by hosting a high school student from another country in your home.

Linda Servis is the local Community Coordinator for PAX (Program for Academic Exchange). PAX is a small, vibrant band of dedicated individuals who work together all over the world to identify students that would love to come to the U.S. and study for a year. They work with partner organizations in many countries to bring these students to the U.S. and are fully accredited by the State Department which oversees their activities.

Their mission is to promote international peace, friendship and understanding through cross cultural exchange and education.

And they also promote a whole lot of fun and great experiences for the student and the whole family. Relationships formed this way last a lifetime and provide a lifetime of joy and friendship not to mention a good place to stay when you want to travel.

Host families can be any kind of family-- single parents, empty nesters, whatever. The student doesn't need to have a room of his or her own, just a quiet place to study—they are used to sharing rooms with their brothers and sisters.

The great news is that the San Ramon Valley School District is excited to take these students into their school for either the junior or senior year. So Linda Servis needs host families to speak to about this program. She will come to your home and tell you all about the program and at this time of the year, you could have your choice of nationalities—Indian, Australian, Chinese, Italian, whomever you would feel is most compatible with your home life. She does request that the host family speak English predominantly in the home as one of the goals of the students is to polish their English—they are all English speaking (often times tri lingual as well).

So call Linda if you are interested in hosting or even interested in finding out more about the Program for Academic Exchange. Her number is 925-934-1750.

See Jane Run Opening New Store in Danville

SEE JANE RUN is opening fourth location in Danville, California

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (PRWEB) March 2009 – Today, See Jane Run, an athletic shoe and apparel retailer for women headquartered in San Francisco, announced the third location opening in the Bay Area and the fourth See Jane Run store. The new Danville store is located in the upscale Blackhawk Plaza lifestyle center at 3480 Blackhawk Plaza Circle.

See Jane Run caters to women of all ages, sizes and fitness levels with running shoes and apparel, training and events. The company inspires women to be fit by providing a supportive and knowledgeable environment along with staff expertise on gait analysis and bra fittings. "We are very excited about the Danville location", says Lori Shannon, President of See Jane Run. "Our events attract so many participants from Contra Costa County, opening a See Jane Run store there makes a lot of sense."

The grand opening celebration will kickoff with a champagne reception on March 27th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and fun activities throughout the weekend on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th. In addition, customers will receive a See Jane Run logo hat with purchase all weekend.

See Jane Run provides women with a 360-degree approach to fitness. "Our goal is to help women select the right gear and keep them motivated with our training and events," Shannon says. "We are often asked what makes us different. I think the fact we strongly encourage women to have fun, celebrate their milestones, and of course, eat chocolate makes our approach unique."

About See Jane Run

See Jane Run is so much more than a running store. As a woman-owned and operated company, See Jane Run reaches out to individuals of all shapes, ages and fitness levels. The product, training and events are selected and designed to reflect the diversity of the customers. The first store was opened in San Francisco in 2000. Since then, See Jane Run has opened three more locations, launched an online store and was selected as one of the 50 Best Running Stores in America in 2006 and 2007 by Footwear Intelligence and The Running Network.

Contacts:


Deb DeFanti

See Jane Run

415-814-1530

deb@seejanerun.com

www.seejanerun.com

Q&A about SSA

Question:

I lost my Social Security card, should I get a new one?

Answer:

Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. The only time you may need the actual card is when you start a new job. However, if you need to replace your Social Security card, you can do so free of charge. Remember, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Learn more about your Social Security card and number at: www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Learn more about Social Security by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).


Question:

How can I see an estimate of my Social Security retirement benefit at several different ages?

Answer:

To see your estimated retirement benefit at age 62, full retirement age, and age 70, we suggest you refer to your most recent Social Security Statement, which we mail to you every year about two to three months before your birthday. In addition, use our online Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator to get a retirement benefit estimate based on current law and real time access to your earnings record. The Retirement Estimator lets you create additional "what if" retirement scenarios, so that’s the perfect place to plug in alternate retirement ages as you wish to do. You can test even more alternatives such as your “stop work” dates or expected future earnings to create and compare different retirement options that may be in your future. Learn more about Social Security by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question:

All my life I have planned on retiring at age 62, but I heard the retirement age is rising to 67. Does this mean five more years of work for me?

Answer:

Not unless you want to continue working. While it is true that the full retirement age is gradually rising to 67, early retirement remains at age 62. So if you go ahead with your plans to retire early, your benefits will be reduced. You also should know that if you choose to keep working even beyond your full retirement age, you can increase your future Social Security benefits. With delayed retirement credits, your benefit will increase automatically by a certain percentage from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70. For example, if you were born in 1943 or later, we will add 8 percent per year to your benefit for each year that you delay signing up for Social Security between your full retirement age of 66 and age 70. That's a 32% increase! Check out our online Retirement Estimator, which you can use to get quick and accurate estimates of your retirement benefits based on different scenarios, at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Or read the When to Start Receiving Benefits fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.

Q&A about SSA

By Linda Zamfino
Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist in Oakland, CA

Medicare Part B Open Season is Here

If you are eligible for Medicare Part B medical insurance, but didn’t sign up when you first became eligible for Medicare, you will have another opportunity to apply. Open season for Medicare Part B runs from January 1 until March 31, 2009. Act early — if you miss the deadline, you will have to wait until 2010 to apply.

Medicare Part B covers some medical expenses not covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), such as doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits, and other medical services and supplies.

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have an initial enrollment period of seven-months in which to sign up for medical insurance (Part B)—three months before, the month of, and three months after reaching age 65. After that, you have to pay a higher premium for Part B unless the reason you declined Part B was because you were covered through an employer's group health plan or a group health plan based on a spouse's employment. In that case, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period which allows you to sign up for Part B at any time, as long as you are currently covered under an employer’s group health plan, either through your current employer or your spouse’s employer -- a retiree plan does not qualify.

You are given another opportunity to enroll in Part B during the general enrollment period, from January 1 to March 31 of each year. But each 12-month period that you are eligible for Medicare Part B and do not sign up, the amount of your monthly premium increases by 10 percent. (This monthly premium increase does not apply if you qualify and enroll during the Special Enrollment Period.)

Medicare is made up of four parts:

1. Hospital insurance (Part A) that helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care and hospice care;
2. Medical insurance (Part B) that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance;
3. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C; and
4. Prescription drug coverage (Part D) that helps pay for prescription medications.

In addition, some people with limited income and resources may qualify for extra help to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-pays related to their Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D). You can learn more about the extra help at: www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

You can learn more about Medicare by reading our electronic booklet, Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html. You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask for a copy. Or visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. You can also call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Just remember, the Medicare Part B open season runs from January 1 to March 31, 2009.

By Linda Zamfino
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Oakland, CA

Social Security Updates For Us All

By Linda Zamfino

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Oakland, CA

Social Security has good tidings to share with over 50 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries: they will receive a 5.8 percent increase in benefit payments beginning with the January payments!

This 5.8 percent increase is the largest since 1982.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year.

Along with the annual COLA comes other changes, including an increase in the amount of wages subject to Social Security tax. In 2008, the maximum taxable amount was $102,000. Beginning in 2009, the maximum taxable amount will be $106,800. This change will affect about 11 million of the 164 million workers who pay Social Security tax. The tax rate remains the same: 6.2 for employers and employees, and 12.4 for the self employed.

The average retired worker will receive $1,153 per month in Social Security benefits in 2009, up from $1,090 in 2008.

People who have Medicare coverage will want to visit Medicare's website at www.medicare.gov for changes coming in 2009.

To learn more about Social Security changes coming in 2009, visit our online fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice /factsheet/colafacts2009.htm

As always, you can find a wealth of information about Social Security at our website, www.socialsecurity.gov

Contra Costa Midrasha Benefit Event For Teen Program

Contra Costa Midrasha's 1st annual Benefit
Featuring guest speaker KGO radio host, John Rothmann

Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 2:00 - 5:30pm
Walnut Creek, CA - January 2, 2009 - Contra Costa Midrasha announces a benefit for its program for Jewish teens. The February 22nd event (from 2-5:30pm) aims to engage the community in learning with featured guest speaker, John Rothmann, and to share in its organizational successes.

The event takes place at its partner congregation, Congregation B'nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek at 25 Hillcroft Way. The three and a half hour event, from 2:00 - 5:30pm, features a talk with John Rothmann, speeches from its students and a gourmet appetizer and dessert reception.

John Rothmann is best known in the San Francisco Bay Area as a talk show host on KGO radio. For the event on February 22, Mr. Rothmann will examine the impact of the incoming Obama administration on U.S.-Israel relations and education. A frequent lecturer on American politics and the Presidency, John has spoken at over 150 campuses throughout the United States, Canada, and Israel. He is a political and foreign policy consultant specializing in the United States, Middle East and the former Soviet Union. Mr. Rothmann received his B.A. and M.A. from Whittier College, and studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Tickets for the February 22, 2009 event are $36 for seniors and students, and $45 for adults. Tickets are available online and by phone. For information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.ccmidrasha.org (click on the "buy tickets" link) or by phone at 925/944-4701.

Contra Costa Midrasha (pronounced "mid-ra-sha") provides a space for Jewish teens, 8th through 12th grade, to explore their growing Jewish identity through classes, art, special events, social interaction, volunteer opportunities and mentoring. Meeting on most Wednesday nights (7:15 - 9:15pm) during the school year, Contra Costa Midrasha fosters Jewish community for its teens in a non-denominational, pluralistic environment. The teens come from towns all over Contra Costa County including Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Alamo, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, Benicia, Concord, and more. For more information, visit us online at www.ccmidrasha.org or contact our office at 925/944-4701.

# # #

Contra Costa Midrasha Benefit
Sunday, February 22, 2009

FACT SHEET

WHO: Contra Costa Midrasha
Guest speaker, KGO radio host, John Rothmann

WHAT: Fundraising event in honor of Contra Costa Midrasha

WHEN: Sunday, February 22, 2009
2:00pm - 5:30pm

WHERE: Congregation B'nai Tikvah
25 Hillcroft Way
Walnut Creek, CA 94597

TICKET COST: $36 (students and seniors) and $45 (adults)

BUY TICKETS: Online at www.ccmidrasha.org or by phone at 925/944-4701

CONTACT: Devra Aarons, Contra Costa Midrasha Director
Office - 925/944-4701
E-mail - office@ccmidrasha.org