A New Digital Hangout? - Anyone? - I've noticed
that many people avoid Facebook because they are concerned with false news
and security issues. I also wonder if there is a use for a "forum"
that is open to only members and a place to exchange information between
those members. A forum for AREA users could be a place to
communicate, leave notes, and discuss issues common to the
group.
You can check out the forum at this web site -
mainenet.net/forums - You will be asked to
register. Then you can go back into the forum andexplore what you
wish. The forum can be customized to meet our group needs. Let me
know if you have questions by writing - rfuller@mainenet.org
If you want up-to-date
information on the pandemic and its impact, consult this link
-
Here is some interesting information
from the Federal Trade Commission’s Annual Report to the Congress about
older consumers and the costs to them of falling victim to various scams.
Below are the 10 costliest scams based on information that is reported to
the FTC.
Romance scams cost elder consumers $83.7
million
Government imposter scams - $61 million
Prizes, sweepstakes and lottery scams - $15.4 million
Business
imposter scams - $34.3 million
Phony investment scams - $25.4
million
Computer tech support scams - $24.1 million
Timeshare sale scams - $17.4 million
Imposters posing as
family/friends scams - $17.1 million
On line shopping scams -
$14.2 million
Timeshare re-sale scams - $12.5 million
As we know, adults over 60 are hesitant to report falling victim to scams.
There are a variety of reasons for this. Therefore the FTC estimates that
the actual financial losses to be much higher. Among the scams reported by
seniors the most frequently reported scam that they fall victim to
involves on line shopping scams.
Newer scams
involve the use of gift cards to pay off debts. Some of the most common
gift card scams involve the following. You may receive a call stating that
your social security number has been suspended and can only be reinstated
with the purchase of an expensive gift card. I have received such a call.
Another scam involves receiving a call from the IRS informing you of an
unpaid tax bill that can only be paid off with the purchase of a gift
card. Or you may get a call from a company informing you that there is a
technical problem with your phone, computer or other devise that caller
can resolve by paying a service fee with – you guessed it – the
purchase of a gift card. NEVER pay for anything using a gift
card.
If you are a victim of fraud or suspect that you may have
been victimized you can call the FTC at #877-382-4357, this is a toll free
number. You can also report your information to AARP’s Fraud Watch
Helpline at #877-908-3360. This number is also toll free.
Spring Quiz – How many can you
answer?
1. “Kookie, Kookie lend me
your …”
2. When the Beatles first came
to the US in early1964, we all watched them on the ... show.
3. We all learned to read using the
same books. We read about the thrilling lives of Dick and Jane, what was
the name of their dog?
4. “Get your kicks on
…”
5. “The story you are about to see
is true. The names have been changed to …”
6. “in
the jungle …
7. Today the math geniuses walk
around with a calculator. In the 1960’s they used a …
8. The “day the music died” was a
tribute to …
9. After the Lone Ranger saved
the day and rode away, he left behind something. What was it?
10. “N E S T L E S make the very
best ...”
11. In the 1960’s full
figured women like Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe gave way to the
“trim” look exemplified by British model …
12. Sachmo was America’s
“ambassador of goodwill.” Who was this great jazz trumpet
player?
13. On the Jackie Gleason Show, a
popular segment was Joe the Bartender, whose regular customer was the
lovable …
14. What takes “a licking but
keeps on ticking?”
15. Red Skelton always ended
his show by saying, “Good night and …
Answers:
1. Comb
2. Ed Sullivan Show
3. Spot
4. Route
66
5. Protect the innocent.
6. The mighty jungle the lion sleeps
tonight.
7 Slide rule
8. Buddy
Holly
9. A silver bullet
10. Chocolate
11.
Twiggy
12. Louis Armstrong
13. Crazy Guggenheim
14. Timex
watch
15. May God Bless
Legislative
Update
by
Crystal Ward
The
bill to increase the state’s share of health care insurance from 45% to
55%, LD293 was passed by the House and is still waiting to be voted on by
the Senate up in Augusta. Things are moving slowly. Please remember
to contact your local Senator and ask them to support LD293, there is no
additional cost needed in the budget. Additional bills being worked on are
the following:
Health and Safety Committees: In the
coming days, the MEA will be working on a bill, LD
429, that would allow school employees to require a local health
and safety committee comprised of school employees, school board members,
parents, and others.
Social and Racial
Justice: We will continue our efforts to amplify the need
for social and racial equity by support a bill to require some training
diversity, equity, inclusion and implicit bias for all certified
educators (LD
1040). In addition, there are at least 6 other bills related to
certification and licensure for school employees that we continue to
monitor closely.
Workplace Bullying: MEA
staff testified in support of a bill to include protections for school
employees from “workplace bullying.”
LD 880 would extend anti-bullying protections that currently apply to
students to educators as well. I am sending testimony from me on
this bill, I was bullied and harassed, by administrators, so I know it
happens in schools.
Good News
Bargaining Over Planning/Prep
Time, Transfers:LD
52 would allow teachers to bargain over planning/prep time and
transfers. These matters are currently illegal or prohibited
subjects of negotiation and this bill, once signed into law, would make
both matters permissive subjects of bargaining. This bill is
not all we wanted, but it is a good first step. The Education
Committee voted 9-4, with all the Democrats supporting the bill along with
Republican Representative Tim Roche of Wells.
Air
Quality: We were pleased to see the Education Committee
enthusiastically pass LD
705, An Act to Improve Air Quality in schools. This bill passed
the Education Committee with only one dissenting vote and if passed by the
Legislature and signed by the Governor, the bill would require the
Department of Education to conduct a rule-making this Fall and introduce
stricter rules for air quality and HVAC systems in our schools.
The Maine Legislature passed the two-year
budget. Because we were able to pass this budget plan so early,
it will take effect before the end of the state’s fiscal year. This
means there’s no risk of a state shutdown at the height of Maine’s
tourist season. This budget plan is a flat continuation of the bipartisan
budget we passed in 2019, with no new initiatives and no new
taxes.
Little is going on in Washington D.C on retired
legislative issues but we keep watching.
I will be sending
you an article on telling the US of Dept. of Education that standardized
tests are not needed this year. You will have a chance to send your
opinions.
The American Rescue Plan will be providing a lot of
money for education and we all need to make sure it is spent wisely to do
things like making sure air quality standards are up to date in all
schools, additional help is available for students impacted by Covid19,
like summer school and tutoring, and not hiring many more
administrators.
Reminder: Maine Education Association Retired
69th Annual meeting on ZOOM is May 6 9:30-12:30 You can
register by email to mearconv2021@gmail.com . You need
to send your name, e-mail, address, town/city zip, telephone and affiliate
...... Agenda is in the newest Clarion
If you want to
receive the weekly MEA legislative update called Under the Dome
Contact :jkosinski@maineea.org
to be put on the email list.
The new Federal income tax
deadline is May 17th.
Vaccinations for Covid19 are now open
for 16 year olds and up.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May
3—7, 2021
Earth Day is April 22, 2021
If you
need help Call 211--- they have information on many programs on several
topics
Crystal Ward, Legislative Chairperson
Treasurer's Report
April Treasurer's
Report There were no major expenses but worthy of reporting is another
$20 donation to our scholarship fund. Donations to our scholarship fund
now total $440.00 for the year 20-21. We thank you for this! If anyone
needs a membership card, please send me a message or call. Gfuller1130@gmail.com
In honor of maple syrup in Maine in
spring...what can be better than a maple walnut
muffin?
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups
flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking
soda
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup pure maple
syrup
1 cup sour cream
1 egg
3/4 cup chopped
walnuts
Warm maple syrup (optional)
Confectioners' sugar,
for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to
400 degrees. Grease muffin tins.
In a small bowl, stir together
flour, baking powder, and baking soda and set aside.
In a medium
bowl, beat the butter until smooth, then slowly add maple syrup, beating
constantly. Beat in sour cream and egg. Stir in walnuts. Add the combined
dry ingredients and stir just until blended.
Spoon into the
prepared muffin tins, filling two-thirds full. Bake 12 to 16 minutes. Cool
in tins 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. For an extra-fancy
presentation, dip muffins in syrup and dust with confectioners' sugar.
Serve warm.
