Have a bunch of old personal documents cluttering up your house?  Afraid to just throw them away?  Then have them shredded...for free!

The Department of Consumer Protection, Channel 3-WFSB and Shred-It are teaming up to host Spring Shred 2008. Bring up to ten (10) boxes of your unneeded personal papers to one of the locations below on Saturday, May 3rd between 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and we’ll shred them for FREE while you wait. 

• Connecticut Post Mall, Milford
• Westfield Mall, Trumbull
• Enfield Square, Enfield
• Capitol & Oak Street Lot, Hartford
• Commuter Lot near DMV, Salem Tpke, Norwich
• Westfield Mall, Meriden (also here on Friday, May 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)

Let’s Start by Passing S.B. 652 and make small business retirement plans available now

The Small Business Retirement Plan Bill, S.B. 652, would allow the state comptroller to offer IRA or 401(k) plans for self-employed individuals and small businesses. With plans offered by the state, small business employees could save money by paying lower fees. While the state would serve as the facilitator for private employers and their workers, the system would essentially be market-led, not government-run. This bill would benefit everybody. Employers would be able to attract and retain talented and loyal employees. Workers would be given an opportunity to save for retirement and ensure fi nancial security later in life. And the state could make itself more attractive to small businesses while ensuring that more residents have adequate retirement resources. 

AARP Connecticut held a press conference Tuesday, March 4, to promote HB 5791, a bill submitted by Sen. Jonathan Harris, D, and Rep. Peter Villano, D, chairmen of the Human Services Committee, that would give state residents a single place to go or call for more information on everything they need for long-term care.

Naugatuck resident Bonnie Veillette spoke at the AARP press conference in support of HB 5791. Mrs. Veillette cares for her husband, Bob Veillette, 63, who suffered a stroke two years ago and is paralyzed from the eyes down. Mrs. Veillette said it has taken her two "frustrating" years to find all the services she needs to care for her husband at home. She said passage of HB 5791 would help  others avoid the long and confusing search for information on long-term care options available in the state.

AARP also testified at a hearing held by the Human Services Committee March 4 on several bills that would improve the state's long-term care system. HB 5791 was one of those bills that AARP supports. AARP recommended language for HB 5791 that would create a so-called "single point of entry" system for those seeking long-term care information and referrals.

HB 5791was submitted after Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell eliminated $1 million from the state’s 2008-09 budget that would have helped create a single point of entry. The one-stop system was listed as a top priority in a 2007 long-term care needs assessment conducted by the University of Connecticut. Check back here to track the bill’s progress.

Middletown High School Gets $10,000 Award from AARP

HARTFORD, Conn. – In celebration of AARP’s 50^th Anniversary and to recognize the outstanding educational achievements in public high schools throughout the nation, AARP on Feb. 7 announced the winners of The Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Awards and The Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Innovation Awards. 

AARP, founded 50 years ago by Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired teacher and principal from California, has donated more than $1 million to support educational programs, demonstrating a commitment to connect generations and foster greater civic engagement among students and their communities.

Public high schools in all U.S. states and territories were eligible to compete for $10,000 Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Innovation Awards honoring innovative programs. AARP awarded an Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Innovation Award to one public high school in every state, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

A panel of volunteers from AARP and the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (www.ctretiredteachers.org), chose Middletown High School for the $10,000 award for its Link Crew program.

Under the program, upper classmen help freshmen make the transition to high school and all involved develop leadership skills. So far, the program, which gets no funding from the school system or the municipal budget, has resulted in a decrease in freshman absences, among other improvements.

"Middletown High School is honored to be recognized with The Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Innovation Award,” said Principal Robert Fontaine. “With the award, we will be able to continue and expand this program that teaches students to “Know the way, go the way, show the way.”

The school will use the AARP grant to expand the program, Fontaine said.

“Dr. Andrus was a champion for all generations who believed, as we do today, that the generations are connected by a strong commitment to values, community and service,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli.

“These awards not only pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Andrus, but also underscore our continued intergenerational commitment to recognize and encourage educational achievements in communities throughout the nation. Congratulations to all of the winning schools.” 

May 30, 8 p.m., Warner Theater, Torrington

Don’t miss the legenday rock group that recorded such hits as "Cold as Ice," "Urgent" and "Hot Blooded."  The band’s latest tour is part of AARP’s 50th Anniversary celebration.  For details on member ticket giveaways and special prices, keep checking this site.   

Now Accepting Andrus Award Nominations for Outstanding Community Service Work

Nominations open March 3 and close June 2.

AARP’s commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to the life and vision of our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Each year, AARP honors the legacy of Dr. Andrus with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, our most prestigious and visible volunteer award. AARP recognizes 53 unique individuals, one, (sometimes two) from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, who have demonstrated the power to make it better in their communities in ways that are consistent with AARP’s mission, vision and commitment to volunteer service, and that inspire other to volunteer. Like Dr. Andrus, these winners have a desire to bring ideas and dreams to life. Their work and achievements have positive impact on the lives of many. Use this form to nominate your candidate for the 2008 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.

Connecticut’s 2007 Andrus Award winner is Maury Johnson, from Stratford, who has worked to enhance transportation opportunities in the state, helped create the AARP Connecticut Grandparents’ Taskforce and serves as chief trainer for AARP’s Driver Safety Program.

Report Urges Fair Electricity Pricing

To help stabalize rising electricty costs in Connecticut, which has the highest rates in the continental United States, AARP has filed a brief with the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board recommending that the state improve the way it allows utility companies to buy energy.

We will keep you posted on developments in electrcity regulation at this site.

The 2008 regular legislative session convened Feb. 6 and adjourns May 7. This is called the short session because only adjustments are allowed to the two-year budget that was passed last year. For more information, visit www.cga.ct.gov.

For information on classes in Enfield, Danbury and New Haven, as well as other cities and towns in the state, call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669)

May 30-June 1 at Trinity College, Hartford

Registration ends May 19.

The Connecticut Senior Games is a multi-sport festival of Olympic-style competition for Connecticut’s senior amateur athletes.  Anyone turning 50 in 2008 is eligible to compete in the 2008 Connecticut Senior Games. But if you are younger than 50, you can still participate: 30-39 year-olds and 40-49 year-olds may play in the following sports: 3-on-3 basketball, slow-pitch softball, volleyball and track & field. The Connecticut Senior Games are an open state and welcome all participants to come to Connecticut to compete.

For an application, go to www.seniorgamesct.org.