NEWSLETTER
NIH's Nationally Awarded 
Employee Service
and Health Promotion 
Organization  
March 2010

The Circus Will “Zing Zang Zoom”
Into Town This March

Circus Order Form

13th Annual Children’s Premiere Night
With Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Benefiting the NIH Children’s Charities

This very special show is back again!!!  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® and the NIH/NOAA R&W invites Children of All Ages to join the Ringling Bros. team in the ALL-NEW, ALL-LIVE 139th Edition of The Greatest Show on Earth!  This year, through the mystery of magic and mastery of skill, audiences will be spellbound by Zing Zang Zoom a thrill-filled, mind-blowing circus spectacular where family fun is no illusion.  Zingmaster Alex and his assistant, the alluring Levitytia, lead audiences through a kaleidoscope of color and imagery revealing worlds of fantasy, flight and phenomena that celebrates the uplifting spirit of the circus while warding off a cynical Mr. Gravity and his team of “heavies’ who try to bring everyone down.  Be mesmerized when a four-ton elephant disappears before your eyes, and a gravity-inducing nemesis transforms into a ferocious tiger.  Stand in awe as two formidable, female human cannonballs are blasted through the air in a daring display of bravery.   Become electrified as the dangerous double wheel of steel, the gasp-inducing high wire and soaring gigantic swings, defy both gravity and logic.  Fun-filled magic merges with traditional circus arts to create a world of infinite possibilities where apprentice illusionists levitate their parents with a wave of a wand, and audience spirits keep rising as this high flying circus is (literally) turned upside down.  Watch in amazement as a herd Asian elephants, Bengal tigers and Arabian and Friesian horses join forces with human performers to create an experience that will surprise and delight Children of All Ages, render us speechless and remind us that the magic of The Greatest Show on Earth lives forever in our hearts and imaginations. 

Your escape from the everyday begins one hour before show time when you make your way to the arena floor.  The FREE All-Access Pre-Show allows families to interact with the stars, mingle with an amazing group of acrobats, aerialists, animals, clowns, jugglers and more.  You can even step into a circus closet and slip on a costume.  There’s so much the Pre-Show has to offer and the show hasn’t even started!  So grab your cotton candy and be prepared to be whisked away into a whirlwind of action and adventure.  Join us for the 13th Annual Children’s Premiere Night hosted by the NIH R&W, benefiting the NIH Charities on Wednesday, March 17th at 7pm with the FREE (pre-show at 6pm).  You won’t hear about this on the radio or television because this night is only for special invitees from the NIH R&W…and you and your friends and family are invited!!   This event is a fundraiser for the NIH Charities and is a wonderful opportunity for the R&W to provide a magical evening to many special needs children in the local metro area.  Over the years, with your help, we have treated over 25,000 deserving children to the circus.  The NIH R&W has a goal to fill the entire Verizon Center with friends and family, so we need your help.  Pass the word along to all your friends and family and have them join you for this special evening.  Tickets are on sale at the R&W Activities Desk in Bldg. 31 Rm. B1W30 or call 301-496-4600.  Orders can be placed for tickets at any R&W store.  Tickets available include Circus Celebrity - front row/interactive seating where you become part of the show (reg. $115), Front Row (reg. $75), VIP (reg. $52), 100 Level (reg. $35), and 200 Level (reg. $30).  Discounted ticket prices will be announced via the R&W ListServ and will be listed in the February R&W Newsletter later this month.   Don’t delay…we have the best seats in the house for this special R&W hosted evening, but they won’t last long!  We’ll see you at the circus!

 1st Annual RecGov Fair
 Discounts, Discounts, Discounts!!!

On May 13th the R&W will be hosting the 1st Annual RecGov Fair.  Over thirty vendors will be participating, and offering great discounts and special offers to NIH employees.  Check out discounts on cell phone services, vacation packages, corporate housing, home services, and more.  Chick-Fil-A will be on hand for lunch, and the R&W will also be holding a door prize raffle for all attendees.  So come enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, amazing discounts and tons of fun!

 R&W Leisure & Travel Expo - April 29th

Spring is here, summer is right around the corner, and you’ve got vacation time coming up but you don’t know how you want to spend it or where.  Come to the R&W Leisure & Travel Expo and get information about local and regional destinations.  Vendors will include hotels, car rentals, visitor bureaus, dinner cruise lines, amusement parks, whitewater rafting vendors, mountain resorts and more.  This event is FREE and you will be able to register to win a variety of prizes including trips and other great travel items.  This year the expo will be taking place on the Bldg. 31 patio on Wednesday, April 29th from 10am – 2pm, so plan on stopping by.  We hope to see you there!

Haiti Relief Fundraiser

The NIH/NOAA R&W has teamed up with several NIH research fellows, some of whom lost friends and relatives in the tragic earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th to host a special Haiti Relief fundraiser on March 12th and 13th.  Join us on Friday, March 12th for “Bar Night” from 6-9pm at BlackFinn Restaurant (4901 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda) for drink and appetizer specials. On Saturday, March 13th Hard Times Café (4922 Del Ray Ave., Bethesda) will be hosting “Dinner and Auctions” from 4-11pm with drink and food specials; 15% of proceeds go toward relief funds.  Auctions items will include baseball tickets, gift baskets, yoga kits and more!  Also a Relief Raffle will take place on March 13th during Hard Times Cafe event.  Tickets can be bought at the events ($5 per ticket, 3 for $10).  Prizes include trips to Bear Creek Mountain Resort, movie tickets, gift certificates and more!  All proceeds will go directly to Mercy Corps, a humanitarian foundation listed on the White House and State Department websites, assisting survivors on the ground.  For more info contact Hayley at 301-496-4600.  We’d appreciate your support!

 

R&W Seminar Series

Manage Your Taxes.  Use the Opportunities in Current Tax Laws – March  4th – 12pm-1pm RKL II Rm. 9100, and March 18th – 12pm-1pm Bldg. 10 Rm. 2C116 - Presented by Brian Thoms, CFP®. During this complimentary seminar, you’ll learn ways to: Manage the amount you pay to the government in taxes, Align tax treatments with your investment objectives, and Find the right balance of before- and after-tax investments for your situation. RSVP to Alicia Burrell at alicia.k.burrell@ampf.com or 240-314-4339. 

Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow - March 9th – 12pm-1pm Bldg. 31 Rm. 2 - Did you know that 9 out of 10 women manage their finances alone at some point in their lives?  That’s why it’s essential that women be knowledgeable and confident about their personal and family finances.  This seminar, presented by First Command Financial Services, is an engaging, informative presentation on personal financial planning that looks into the individual financial situations of four women in different life circumstances and provides participants the opportunity to interactively discuss solutions for each.  Topics include: financial challenges women face and the opportunities they enjoy, the three cornerstones of financial management , the importance of having a financial plan to pursue your goals and how thoughtful planning can help enhance quality of life.  RSVP to 703-418-9360.

Road To Retirement – March 25th – 12pm-1pm Bldg. 31 Rm. 2 -Plan for your retirement during these tough economic times.  Attend “Road to Retirement,” sponsored by the NIH Federal Credit Union.  This complimentary seminar will teach attendees how to develop their own personal retirement goals, implement a retirement income plan and navigate retirement income obstacles.  Please RSVP to mcruz@nihfcu.org.

Managing the Risk of an Income Shortfall In Retirement –April 1st – 12pm-1pm RKL II Rm. 9100 -Whatever your vision of retirement, it requires a combination of planning and smart income, investment, and distribution strategies to achieve and sustain it.  During this seminar we will discuss three of the critical risks investors face when they begin taking distributions from the savings they have accumulated for retirement.  These risks include:   longevity risk, inflation or purchasing power risk, sequence of returns risk (risk of early losses at the beginning of retirement).  After we define and examine these risks, the second half of the seminar will discuss several strategies to mitigate the risk of a shortfall of income in retirement.  The seminar will be given by Jeff Seitz, CRPC®, First Vice President - Investments Matthew Bosley, CFP® Financial Advisor. RSVP to Christine Mantich 301-230-5776 or Christine_Mantich@ml.com.

 Why Financial Planning? - April 6th – 12pm-1pm Bldg. 31 Rm. 2 What’s your net worth?  What are your total assets…and liabilities?  Not sure? Uncertain of where you stand in the pursuit of financial goals like your retirement and your family’s long-term financial security?  Join First Command for “Why Financial Planning?”  This presentation will help you discover why financial terms like “assets,” “liabilities,” “net worth” and others need not be confusing.  And you can relax in the knowledge that your financial situation need not be worrisome.  We’ll explain in simple, non-technical terms: how to evaluate your financial situation, how to identify your priorities for today and tomorrow, and how a financial plan can help you pursue your goals.  You’ll walk away more confident in your knowledge and better prepared to identify your priorities and begin planning for your financial future.  RSVP to 703-418-9360. 

Turning your Savings into a Retirement Paycheck – April 22nd – 12pm-1pm Bldg.  31 Rm. 2 - Most Americans work over 90,000 hours during their lives so it is important to spend some time on the retirement planning process.  This seminar provides a straightforward and graphic approach to explaining retirement plan distribution options, the fundamentals of investing when approaching retirement, and some strategies to help one efficiently turn their retirement savings into a income stream for the rest of their life.  The seminar will be given by Jeff Seitz, CRPC ® | First Vice President –Investments and Matthew Bosley, CFP® | Financial Advisor.
RSVP to Christine Mantich Christine_Mantich@ml.com, 301-230-5776.

Sign Language Interpreters will be provided for all seminars on this page.  Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Kallie Wasserman 301-496-6061 or wassermankt@mail.nih.gov and/or the Federal Relay 1-800-877-8339 5 days in advance.

1st Annual Paddies Day - Penguin Plunge

On March 17th the NIH Charities will be partnering with Ri Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant for the 1st Annual Paddies Day Penguin Plunge.  The “Big Leap” will take place at 7am at our launch point into the Potomac River.  Registration is $50 per person, and all proceeds benefit the NIH Charities: The Children’s Inn at NIH, Friends of the Clinical Center, and Special Love/Camp Fantastic.  All participants are strongly encouraged to find friends and family to sponsor your leap, and to help you exceed your minimum registration fee.  Remember, all funds go to support the great work of the NIH Charities!  Please join us on March 4th from 5pm to 9pm at Ri Ra Bethesda or Ri Ra Clarendon, to kick-off our event.  You will be able to register that evening.  For more info contact Simon Hewson at simonhewson@rira.com. Slainte!

R&W Spring Bazaar and Home and Garden Show May 5th - 10am - 3pm - Bldg. 31 Patio

Get ready to shop!  The R&W will be hosting a Spring Bazaar and Home and Garden Show on Wednesday, May 5th on the patio of Bldg. 31 from 10am-3pm Crafters will be selling a variety of handmade crafts such as jewelry, handbags, hand blown crystals, scarves, clothes and much more.  This event is perfect timing for your Mother’s Day shopping.  At the Garden Show make sure to pick up some fresh plants, gardening materials and other items.  Mark your calendar now and plan on attending this popular show.  All your favorite vendors will be at one location.  It’s a one stop shopping spree!

Books Are Fun Book Fair
South Lobby of Bldg. 10 & Bldg 31

Books Are Fun will be holding a book fair in the South lobby on the first floor of Bldg. 10 from Wednesday, March 3rd – Friday, March 5th.  Books Are Fun will also be holding a book fair in the South lobby on the first floor of Bldg. 31 on Thurs., May 6th and Fri., May 7th. Come to the Book Fair and shop in the convenience of your workplace.  Save up to 70% off retail prices on an incredible selection of books for all interests and ages and fine gift items.  Many items will be themed towards Black History Month and will feature African American books (biographies, novels, etc.), and gifts.  You can also choose from a large selection of sports, educational and children’s books.  The book fair will take place daily from 9am – 2pm.

 Hair Today, Change Tomorrow
Buzzing For Change

Students from George Washington University will host their fifth annual head-shaving marathon to benefit Special Love, an NIH related charity for children with cancer. Buzzing for Change is a one-day student-run charity extravaganza at colleges and universities around the country.  Participants shave their heads for money (pledges you collect), buzz their head for free (supporting the cause), or just cut off enough (8” or more) to donate to Locks of Love.  Not sure about the hair cut…you can always volunteer.  Money raised from the event will be given to Special Love to help support children living with cancer.  So if you are looking to get a hair cut why not head over to GWU and see what the buzz is all about!

When: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Where: Kogan Plaza (H St. between 21st and 22nd)
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Buzz your head!  Cut your hair!  Make a difference!

There will be Haircuts, Entertainment, Free Pizza, and More!  For more information about Buzzing for Change visit www.buzzing4change.org. 

Food Drive

Did you know that 1 in 4 Montgomery County residents are at risk of hunger?  Good nutrition is essential to good health, so when people experience hunger, they are at greater risk for poor health outcomes.   To help fight hunger in our community, your support is requested.  In honor of National Nutrition Month, the NIH Recreation & Welfare Association and Eurest Dining Services will be collecting food to benefit Manna Food Center in Montgomery County. Collection boxes will be available March 1st through March 19th at all R&W store locations and fitness centers and cafeterias in Bldg. 31 and Bldg. 10, B1 Level.   Donations of pasta, rice, beans, soup, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, tuna fish and other canned meat/fish, canned pasta, macaroni and cheese, baby food, cereal, and oatmeal are highly encouraged.   

 NIH Charities 5K Race

This race, sponsored by the R&W and the NIH Health’s Angels, will take place on Wednesday, April 14th at 11am.  More info can be found in the April R&W Newsletter, by calling the R&W office at 301-496-6061 or by emailing David Kosub at kosubd@mail.nih.gov.

Focus on You Wellness Lecture Series
March 10th – Fishers Lane

The Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Amenities and Transportation Services, and the NIH R&W Fitness Center are proud to announce the continuation of our new interactive wellness initiative, "Focus on You: Promoting Employee Health and Well-being at NIH."  On Wednesday, March 10th from 1pm - 2pm, the NIH Wellness Series comes to 5635 Fishers Lane, Conference Room T 508 with an interactive lecture entitled Optimal Health: Self-Esteem, Physical Activity & Nutrition, presented by Ms. JaWanna Henry, NIH R&W Fitness Center.  The NIH is committed to promoting and protecting the health of our employees as we work to further the NIH mission of extending healthy life and reducing the burden of disease and disability for people around the world.  For future topics and lecture locations, please go to http://dats.ors.od.nih.gov/wellness/lecture.htm or contact Chris Gaines at 301-451-3631.

Sign Language Interpreters will be provided. Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Chris Gaines, Division of Amenities and Transportation Services, ORS at 301-451-3631 and/or the Federal Relay (1-800-877-8339)

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BJ’s Club Special Fundraiser

Through this special fundraiser, join or renew your BJ’s membership for 15 months at only $35 compared to the normal cost of $45 for 12 months.  In addition receive a second membership card for a member of your household for FREE.  It does not matter when you last renewed, 15 months will be added to your current expiration date.  Benefits of joining BJ’s include the convenience of finding all you need in one place with a selection of over 6,500 items in their stores and the acceptance of all manufacturers coupons.  Also becoming an BJ’s member through this program benefits the NIH/NOAA R&W as BJ’s will donate $5 back to the R&W so that we can continue to run our great programs for the NIH and NOAA employees.  This special offer is not valid online or at any BJ’s Club locations.  To request a BJ’s application be emailed to you contact David at nihrw@mail.nih.gov.

R&W Tax Preparation Service

It’s that time of year again but don’t fret, we can help!  The R&W is sponsoring our annual Income Tax Preparation Service through an independent accounting firm, Teti and Carswell.  With more than 30 years experience, they can provide assistance in all areas of taxation.  Tax preparation for foreign nationals is also available.  Half-hour consultations will be held on campus, in Bldg. 31 Rm. 9A22, on Thursdays, February 4th through March 25th between 3pm - 6pm (2/4 and 3/4 will be 4-6pm and 3/11will be 3:30-6pm).  Call the R&W Activities Desk at (301) 496-4600 to schedule an appointment.  Fees will vary according to the required IRS schedules that are needed to be filed.  Call Today!  The earlier you get your taxes done, the quicker your refund check comes back!

NIH Philharmonia Orchestra Concert

The NIH Philharmonia Orchestra will present its third concert of the season on March 6th at 7:30pm at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church (917 Montrose Rd., Rockville, MD).  The concert “Let’s Order American” includes Goldman – “On the Mall,” Copland – “An Outdoor Overture,” Barber – “Capricorn Concerto,” Morgulas – “Sydney the Sea Squid” (world premiere), and Sousa – “Liberty Bell.”  Tickets are FREE.  For further information visit the orchestra’s website www.NIHPhil.org.  Look for more information about their upcoming spring concert “It’s for the Birds.”

Congratulations NIH!
NIH CFC Campaign Tops $2.5 Million!

NIH aimed high and cleared their goal. Breaking all previous records, this year the NIH community contributed over $2,500,000 to local, national and international charities they care about.  Over the years of the campaign, NIH has shown that it is a strong community filled with people who want to make a difference.  A special thank you goes out to all CFC key workers and other volunteers whose efforts make a difference.  The R&W thanks you and congratulates you.  The following people were prize winners in the R&W Raffle:  Fun In The Sun – Elisa Sindall (NIAID), Your Choice - Michele Straus (NIDA), Year of Sports - Christine Ramirez (NCI), San Diego Getaway - Margaret Bevans, (CC/NURS), Harbor Magic - Elizabeth Neilson, (NCI), Lights, Cameras, Ice Cream - Mark Bryant (OD/ORS), The Greatest Show On Earth - Helen Meissner (OD), R&W Keyworker Drawing Winners: Get Away For A Day - Janet Shoemaker (NCRR), Rest & Relaxation - Kim Witherspoon (NINDS), Long Beach Cookin' - Sara McLauren (NIDA), Pizza Party - Cheryl Boyce (NIDA), Eat More Chicken - Mary O'Conner (NCI), She Shoots She Scores - Tina Walker (NIGMS).

NY City Trip to See Fences
Starring Denzel Washington

The R&W has tickets to see Fences starring Denzel Washington on Saturday, May 8th in NY.  The two-time Academy Award winner returns to Broadway, alongside Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Viola Davis, in August Wilson's monumental Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play.  Fences is one of the 10 plays in August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, focusing on the African-American experience in the 20th century.  The play centers on Troy Maxson (Washington), a Pittsburgh sanitation worker who once dreamed of a baseball career, but was too old when the major leagues finally admitted black players.  As he faces off against the racial barrier at work and his own disappointments, Troy also grapples with his son Cory over the teenager's hope for a football scholarship and with his wife, Rose (Davis), who confronts Troy over a child he has fathered with another woman.  Tickets will be $225 and include Orchestra/Front Mezzanine seats at 2pm, R/T Trans, via Motorcoach, and an evening meal in NJ at Mastorri’s.  Order tickets while they last, by calling the R&W Activities Desk at 301-496-4600.

2010 Census - It’s Time to Be Counted!

Starting in March, all residential addresses in the United States will receive 2010 Census Questionnaires.  It is important that ALL PERSONS RESIDING IN THE U.S. be counted, if you are not a citizen of the U.S. or if you are living here temporarily you should still complete the Census Questionnaire.  You may wonder why it is so important for all residents to be counted.  The answer is because everyone benefits.  For example, if you drive on the roadways or use public transportation, if your children are in school, if you need medical attention at a hospital or emergency facility, if you use local jurisdiction services and programs – you benefit by being counted since your local jurisdiction receives financial support for you and each resident who is counted in the Census, for services and programs.  The 2010 Census is IMPORTANT, SAFE and EASY!  IMPORTANT – The Census Count determines the amount of dollars your local jurisdiction will get in funds from the Federal and State governments for important programs and services.  The funding is based on the total number of residents counted.  The Census count also determines your local jurisdiction’s representation in the State legislature and in Congress.  SAFE - By federal law, the Census Bureau is not allowed to share any personal identifiable information about you with anyone, including federal agencies and law enforcement entities.  Information collected by the Census Bureau is used for statistical purposes only.  EASY - The 2010 Census Form consists of only 10 simple questions.  The following are 2010 Census KEY DATES: March 2010 - Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.  April 1, 2010 - Census Day.  May – July 2010 - Census workers visit households that have not returned the questionnaire.  December 2010 - The Bureau of Census delivers population counts to the President of the U.S.  Please access www.census.gov for the Bureau of Census 2010 Census information.  For Montgomery County, MD 2010 Census information and activities, please access www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census  or contact Isabelle Schoenfeld - isabelle.schoenfeld@montgomerycountymd.gov.

NHLBI: Keep the Beat Cookbooks

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in coordination with the R&W stores, is now offering its new heart healthy cookbook Keep the Beat™ Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Dinners for an affordable $5, available at all NIH R&W store locations.  The cookbook features 75 simple and delicious recipes influenced by Asian, Latino, Mediterranean, and American cuisine that are good for your heart and taste great too.  The recipes are limited in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium as well as moderate in calories. For healthy shopping and cooking tips, an online community, videos and more visit http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/healthyeating.

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2010 R&W Preferred
Memberships Now On Sale!

Did you know…All NIH & NOAA employees, contractors and their families are eligible to become Preferred R&W Members?  For $7 per year, preferred members have access to discounted tickets (entertainment, sporting events, children’s shows, etc.), movie rentals, discounted dry cleaning, gift items, fitness center programs and classes, recreational clubs, community discounts and much more.  To sign up, stop by any R&W store, or complete the form at www.recgov.org, click NIH, click membership and mail it with a $7 check payable to R&W.  Mail to: R&W Attn: Membership, Building 31, Rm. B1W30.  Upon receipt we will send you a membership guide, along with a membership sticker/card.  If you are renewing, please remember your current membership will expire December 31st of this year.  Renew at any store but remember to hold onto your red plastic membership card.  Each year we will give you a new valid sticker for your card.  You will be charged a fee for a replacement card.  For the latest news on R&W events, tickets and more sign up for the R&W ListServ at https://list.nih.gov/archives/r_w_assoc_list-l.html,.

Manchester String Quartet
Concerts in Building 10

Please join us for the twentieth seasonal performance of the Manchester String Quartet.  The concerts are free and begin at 12:30 pm in the Masur Auditorium, Bldg 10.  Future concert dates include:

Monday, March 8
Monday, April 5
Monday, May 10

This series is made possible by The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES).  For reasonable accommodation needs, please contact Sharon Greenwell at 301-496-4713 or email sg115f@nih.gov.

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 Salt River Lobster Returns to NIH

After a small delay earlier this year, Salt River Lobster, having served the Montgomery County area for over twenty-five years, has returned to NIH.  Visit them on the NIH campus in the overflow parking lot (Lot 41), at the south end of campus, every Thursday from 9am -3pm.  Salt River Lobster offers a wide selection of quality seafood such as sword, tuna, salmon, halibut, flounder, cod, shrimp, shellfish, scallops, smoked products, and their signature item live Maine Lobster.  Stop by and browse or order online (Tuesday deadline), at www.saltriverlobster.com.  Be sure to sign up for their e-mail list to learn about upcoming special events.   It's great to have them back. 

 What Is the R&W?

The NIH Recreation and Welfare (R&W) Association is a Nationally Awarded Employee Service and Health Promotion Organization. The R&W provides affordable, top-quality and well-directed services and programs that are diversified, beneficial, and focused on enhancing the health and well-being of the NIH and NOAA communities.  The NIH R&W team of employees and volunteers accomplishes this mission by providing and offering a variety of retail gift shops, health and wellness programs (fitness centers/aerobics and a low cost prescription plan), leisure clubs and travel, discounted tickets to local events and attractions, and charity fundraising activities.  The R&W assists NIHers in need of housing by offering a list of available housing opportunities at http://www.recgov.org/housing/housing.html.  Those who may join the R&W include employees, contractors, patients and their families.  The R&W has gift shops located at Rockledge I, Executive Plaza South, NOAA in Silver Spring, and Bldg. 10 B1 Level and CRC Main Atrium area and Bldg. 31 which also has a ticket center that sells tickets to many local events and attractions.  Fitness Centers are located in Bldg. 31, Rockledge I and Baltimore and require an additional annual membership fee.  For hours and locations visit www.recgov.org/fitness  and click NIH or call 301-496-6061.

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The R&W and RxCut® Team Up
To Help You Save on Prescriptions

Over the past two years, an estimated 40 percent of Americans have skipped filling a prescription or reduced doses due to cost.  To help alleviate this problem, RxCut® is distributing free prescription savings cards, through the R&W, which can save you and your family members up to 75% off the retail price of each prescription.  More than 54,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico participate in the program; which does not require any enrollment, paperwork or annual fee.  All customers, regardless of insurance status, even those covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private health insurance, can access the savings to help pay for medications not covered under their plans.  For more info visit www.rxcut.com/nih.

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A Special Group Discount
For All Kinds of Drivers

The Corrigan Agency offers discounted rates to NIH & NOAA employees…Nationwide Is On
Your Side!   Many of us these days have to count on our car.  From Monday morning traffic to weekends away, it’s part of who we are. That’s why Nationwide offers auto insurance you can
count on.Be prepared for life’s little surprises.  Protect yourself with Nationwide auto insurance.  Special discounted rates that are not offered to the general public are given to NIH & NOAA employees through the R&W Association.  Call today for auto insurance rates!  It’s good to
belong…you can get the most for your dollar!  You can save anywhere from 3%-28% as long as
you mention the NIH/NOAA R&W.  For more information contact Nationwide Insurance –
Corrigan Agency, Monday-Friday 8:15am-4:30pm and evenings by appointment 1-800-213-1634.
 Fax quoting 24 hours 301-623-3131. 

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Make Your Own Photo Album Book

Make your own Photo Album Book.  Enjoy organizing your digital photos and turning them into an elegant hardcover photo book on your own computer and in the comfort of your home.  It’s fun and so easy to use!  For a free download of the software, go to http://recgov.org/r&w/r&w.html, pricing starts as low as $13.95.  Pay online through secured SSL connection.  Finished product is sent to your home in approximately 5 to 7 working days.

Create Gifts Through
 R&W Photo Processing

Don’t forget to use the R&W Photo Processing service to make great gift items such as plates, puzzles, mugs, mouse pads, and more for family and friends.  Have an old photo restored, an old wedding photo perhaps, for dear old grandma. You could even create greeting cards for special occasions such as baby announcements, anniversaries or holidays.    Bring a photo negative, digital media file or old photo to any R&W store and place your order.  Processing of special orders vary so please check with the store manager about delivery.

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Cholesterol & Glucose Screening
 Available to NIH Employees

The R&W and Occupational Medical Services (OMS) at NIH are working together to offer both Glucose & Total Cholesterol Screening. This screening is available in Bldg. 10 in the 6th floor clinic Rm. 6C306 on Tuesday mornings from 8-11am. The full lipid profile (cholesterol) test is $16.50 and the glucose test is $8.25. Purchase a screening ticket at any R&W store before you plan to be tested and take it with you for any Tuesday screening. Because this is a fasting test, participants should not eat or drink anything (except water) for at least nine hours prior to having the test.

Do You Have a House or
Apartment to Rent?

The R&W maintains a housing list for the NIH employees, volunteers, students, and contractors. It is updated bi-weekly. It is comprised of noncommercial rentals, rooms for rent in private residences, a nd houses and apartments to share. The list is posted on our website at or you can pick up a hard copy from any R&W store.

Are you Having Trouble Controlling Your Drinking?

Closed (only open to people who have trouble controlling their drinking). Alcoholics Anonymous meetings occur at noon for one hour Monday & Friday at NIH in Bldg. 31, Rm. B4BN09 (near the NIH Fitness Center). The meetings are free and confidential. For more info contact the EAP at 301-496-3164.

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Does Someone’s Drinking Bother You?

Al-Anon meets at noon for one hour Mondays and Thursdays at NIH in Building 31 in the conference room of the National Institute for Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) Room 1B44. The meetings are free and confidential. For more info contact EAP 301-496-3164.

Planning A Wedding?

Are you planning that special day and you want the invitations to be just right? The R&W can help! You can save up to 40% off on your wedding invitations. The invitations are high quality and very attractive. Don’t believe us? Come check it out for yourself! We have books at any R&W store and if you are a preferred R&W member you can take the book home with you by putting a $5 returnable hold on the book. I know many of you probably got engaged over the holiday season, so don’t delay and check out the invitations today!

NIH License Plates

Did you know that you can get an NIH personalized license plate? The R&W has NIH organizational license plates for Maryland residents. The cost for the plates are $15 for MVA Non-logo NIH plates with a $5 R&W service charge. Just fill out an application at the R&W Activities Desk in Bldg. 31, show your NIH ID and R&W membership, and drop off two checks (one payable tot eh MVA for $15 and payable to the R&W for $5). Plates take 2-8 weeks to receive. The MVA will send them directly to you. For more information about this program call 301-496-4600 or e-mail nihrw@ors.od.nih.gov

NIH Blood Bank

The NIH Clinical Center is in constant need of blood for the increasing amount of patients that are seen everyday. The NIH Blood Bank is located on the first floor of the Clinical Center and is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please call for an appointment or directions at 301-496-1048.  Convenient and free parking is available for all blood donors.

R&W Business Card Service

For your convenience, you can order business cards at any R&W gift shop. Prices begin at $22. Logos from NIH, HHS, & FDA are available. Check out for an order form and logo options, or call the R&W Activities Desk at 301-496-4600 for detailed information.

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