Jasper Mountain Holiday Drive November 21 – December 14
OSEA is sponsoring our Annual Holiday Donation Drive to benefit the children residing at the Jasper Mountain Child Center.
Jasper Mountain is a residential treatment program that provides a loving, nurturing, and stable environment for children who have experienced severe abuse and neglect.
Please consider donations when shopping for your own family. OSEA members are providing boxes at building sites for donation collection. Donations may also be brought to the Ed Center in the main hall outside of Financial Services.
Wish List for students and residents ages 3-13 yrs. old:
Sports Equipment: Bike helmets, basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, and soft footballs.
Art Supplies: Watercolors, books, spiral notebooks/coloring books, colored pencils/colored markers/crayons, educational DVD’s (reading/science), puzzles, games (math/reading), sketch/drawing pads, hot wheels cars/trucks, Legos, glue sticks & board games.
Clothing: Flannel pajamas/pants, socks, underwear, gloves, hats, fleece tops & vests.
Missed the 403(b) TSA Vendor Fair?
Open an account with one of these three vendors:
American Century Investments: Offering 403(b) mutual fund custodial accounts. Contact a dedicated professional: 1-800-345-3533
VALIC: Offering 403(b) annuity products. Contact Collin McDonnell: 541-687-2221.
Voya: Offering 403(b) annuity products. Contact John Van Ravenhorst: 541-343-2928
Complete a District 4J Salary Reduction Agreement. Make a copy for your records, and deliver the original to the Payroll department in the Education Center.
The TSA Plan Salary Reduction form may be found on the 4J benefits webpage: www.4j.lane.edu/hr/benefits/retirement/tax-sheltered-annuity-tsa-plan/ . Forms are also available in the Financial Services department.
Flexible Spending Account Reimbursement Deadline and Rollover Information
You have until December 31, 2016, to submit receipts for unreimbursed health related or dependent care expenses incurred during the October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016, plan year.
Up to $500 of remaining funds in your FSA for unreimbursed health related expenses will rollover automatically after December 31, 2016. Any unused money left in your FSA for dependent care expenses at the end of the plan year will be forfeited, as per IRS regulations.
Need your roll over amount sooner than January 1, 2017? PacificSource will grant requests of funds to roll early; however, once the funds roll the member can no longer submit claims for the 2015/16 plan year. Please be advised that any early roll requests take 7-10 days to complete. For assistance contact PacificSource at 541-485-7488.
Wellness Clinic Update
Please help me welcome our newest provider at the 4J Wellness Clinic ~ Anna Gelok, PA-C. Anna has been practicing for 5 years and attended the University of Washington where she earned her Physician Assistant degree. Anna is very excited to join the team and to start meeting new patients at the clinic. In her spare time Anna loves to be outdoors enjoying the best of Oregon. Specifically, she loves hiking, biking, rafting, and hanging out with friends and family.
The 4J Wellness Clinic will be closed the following dates:
Winter Break: – December 26 – December 30, 2016
Note: If you need a prescription refilled over winter break, please plan ahead. Regular clinic hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The clinic is closed for lunch from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. The phone number for the clinic is 541-686-1427.
4J Employee Wellness Fair
Save the date for the 4J Employee Wellness Fair on January 10th at the Ed Center, when insurance carriers and many community resources will be here to answer your questions, talk about activities, programs, benefits, and give away prizes! Watch your email inbox for more details.
Bye-Bye to Garlic Breath
Do you love garlic but hate the resulting bad breath? An Ohio State University study published this year offers a solution. Study volunteers chewed on raw garlic cloves before researchers measured levels of sulfur compounds (responsible for the bulb’s strong odor) in their breath. Then the volunteers consumed apples (juiced, heated, and raw), green tea, fresh mint leaves (juiced and raw), lettuce (raw and heated), or water, and researchers checked sulfur levels again. The result: raw mint leaves, apples and lettuce freshened garlicky breath thanks to the phenolic compounds and enzymes in the foods, which destroyed the sulfur compounds and neutralized the odor. So if you enjoy garlic, feel free to go ahead and keep it on your menu.
If You’re Afraid of Falling
Do the rains and wintry weather make you worry about taking a spill? Smart lifestyle strategies can help prevent falls, and simple exercises can strengthen the muscles that keep you steady.
- Strengthen Your Legs: weak legs are a major risk factor for falls. Aim for 30 minutes of walking five days per week.
- Check Your Vision: Poor vision can obviously make falls more likely. But some eyeglass lenses, especially multifocal lenses, can impair depth perception, at least until you get used to the prescription
- Wear Sturdy Shoes: “Slippers” is an apt term – they’re more likely to make you fall than other kinds of footwear. Instead, try a sturdy shoe with a heel collar that has a firm (not cushy) sole. That helps you feel the ground, which can make you steadier. If you have to walk on ice this winter, consider slip-on cleats, which can improve traction.
- Walk Carefully: When possible, hold onto handrails with both hands. And if you find yourself on an icy patch, especially on stairs, don’t be embarrassed to slow down and take it easy: bend your knees, take tiny steps, and walk sideways.
Financial Workshop
December 7, 2016 ~ 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 pm
This is an optional workshop presented by John Van Ravenhorst, CRPC, Bridges Wealth Management. If you are nearing retirement, or still a ways off, attend for details on your available options.
Topics include: current legislative and PERS Board changes, PERS retirement basics, actions to take within 5 years, one year and 90 days of retirement, personalized retirement strategies, including Social Security and Medicare planning and timelines. Spouses welcome. Light snacks provided. Pre-registration required.
Where: Eugene OEA Office – 2815 Coburg Road
To register: call 541-343-2928 or email to john@bridgeswealth.com.
Cranberry Salsa (a McElhinney family favorite)
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion – red or sweet
2 jalapeno pepper, (seeds removed to degree of spiciness desired)
Finely chop above in food processor
1 large apple, cored and peeled and coarsely chopped
½ cup loosely packed cilantro (optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ tablespoons Nutra Sweet or Stevia
2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
1 pound fresh cranberries
Add to food processor and pulse to desired consistency.
For questions regarding Moda Health benefits or claims, contact:
- Moda Medical Customer Service – 866-923-0409
- Moda Dental Customer Service – 866-923-0410
- Moda Pharmacy Customer Service – 866-923-0411
- https://www.modahealth.com/oebb/members/
For questions regarding Willamette Dental Group benefits or claims, contact:
- Appointment Center: 1-855-433-6825, Option 1
- Member Services: 1-855-433-6825, Option 3
- Member Services: memberservices@willamettedental.com
- http://www.willamettedental.com/oebb
For questions regarding eligibility, contact OEBB:
- OEBB Information – 888-469-6322
- http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/OEBB/Pages/index.aspx
To access the Employee Assistance Program:
- Reliant Behavioral Health – 866-750-1327
- https://www.myrbh.com/
For questions regarding life or long term disability insurance:
- The Standard – 1-866-756-8115
- http://www.standard.com/mybenefits/oebb/#The_Standard_Insurance_Company
For questions regarding a Flexible Spending Plan:
- PacificSource Administrators – 541-485-7488
- psa.pacificsource.com/PSA/
“If winter helps you curl up and more, that makes it one of the best of the seasons.”
–Murray Pura
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This newsletter is reviewed and edited each month by the District 4J and OSEA representatives of the Classified Joint Benefits Committee (JBC).The information in this newsletter is summarized, and is not intended as advice or counsel.
