Announcements

Events

W5RRA RRA Ham Radio Club Meeting, March 27

The "W5RRA” RRA Ham Radio Club invites staff members and retirees to join the next meeting to be held from noon to 1 p.m. (Central) on Wednesday, March 27 in Trailer 56 (220 Avenue F) or available by MS Teams. For more information, contact David Ogden or Sheril Vineyard.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our Neighborhood Homebound Seniors Need You! Meals on Wheels Volunteer Drivers and Substitute Drivers Needed

Join the SwRI teams delivering meals to our homebound senior neighbors. Make a difference by serving as a regular driver or a substitute driver, handling routes when regular drivers cannot cover due to meetings, travel, or other conflicts. Meals on Wheels is a United Way Impact Partner (Strong Individuals and Families). Contact Deb Schmid, 210 522 2254 to volunteer.

Dress for Success San Antonio

Dress for Success San Antonio is seeking retirees who would like to volunteer to help clients with resumes, mock interviews, and professional dress. Contact Jennifer Bigler to volunteer, 210 588 7658.

Moved Recently? Changed Names? Drop Us a Note

Help us update our Retirees Database! If you have recently moved or undergone a name change, please send us an email to twhelan@swri.org or jdeimel@swri.org or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

SwRI Fitness & Wellness

Note from Fitness Center Staff

Prior to your first workout, log into Motivation Alliance via the app or at swri.motivation.cc to complete the annual consent form. You do not need to create an account. If needed, click on Forgot ID/Password?

For questions or concerns, call 210 522 5100 or fitness@swri.org for inquires. Stay connected.

GEX Schedule

Home Workout

Home Workout without external links

Seniors Group Exercise Class

The SwRI Fitness Center offers a group exercise class especially for SwRI Retirees to improve cardiovascular and muscular endurance as well as muscular strength, range of motion, and balance. This is a low to non-impact class making it safe for your active lifestyle. The class meets from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information about this and other classes, call the Fitness Center at 210 522 5100 or 210 522 5200.

Sign up for group exercise classes via the Motivation Alliance app or Motivation website under Upcoming Events or the Event Calendar.

Facebook

The SwRI Fitness & Wellness page is available to employees and retirees as an extension of the SwRI Health Improvement Program (HIP). It is designed to engage our work community and enhance everyone's wellness journey. Videos are accessible on demand. In addition to workouts, check out our posts focused on physical, emotional wellness, delicious recipes, relaxation tips and different ways to keep you connected. Share in the experience and join our private Facebook group, SwRI Fitness & Wellness. Caring for You, our Greatest Strength!

Instagram

Follow us on Instagram @swri_fitnessandwellness

Happy Times Electronic

The March edition of Happy Times is now available. This month highlights several upcoming events such as Fun with the Easter Bunny and the Total Eclipse Watch Party as well as meeting dates. Check out store merchandise, discount links, and classified ads.

Send us a message and we’ll notify you when the Happy Times has been posted each month for your viewing pleasure.

Submit an ad for the Happy Times at rra@swri.org.

Happy Times has gone green! You can help save some trees and still get all of your usual news from the digital version. Send an email to rra@swri.org and put “Electronic Happy Times” in the subject line. Please be sure to include both your email and home address for verification purposes.

For inquiries, please contact Sara Kauffmann at sara.kauffmann@swri.org or 210 522 5100.

Retirements

Miriam Sneed, an Administrative Assistant in the Space Systems Division (05), is retiring March 29 following more than 15 years of service. There is no formal ceremony.

Remembrance

Senior Research Engineer Terry McDaniel (Defense and Intelligence Solutions, 16) died December 7. Terry joined the Institute January 25, 1996. A Celebration of Life was held March 13 at Daniel Funeral Home with interment at Memory Gardens in Lamar, Missouri. His obituary is available online.

Special Announcements

Total Eclipse Over Texas

On April 8, SwRI headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, and surrounding areas, will experience a rare total eclipse, the first in this region in centuries. Spectators in the path of totality, stretching from Mexico to Canada, can expect nighttime conditions in the middle of the day. As visitors descend on totality destinations, communities will encounter traffic tie-ups and crowds. If you want to witness this spectacular celestial event in person, now is the time to make eclipse day preparations and plans.

Listen now as SwRI Planetary Scientist Dr. Tracy Becker discusses total eclipse readiness, resources, safety and the eclipse’s impact on science.

Visit Solar Eclipses to see a map of the 2024 total eclipse path and to learn more about San Antonio eclipse events.

For all episodes, transcripts and photos, visit Technology Today Podcast.

Stream the Technology Today podcast on a computer or device from SwRI.org or Soundcloud. Subscribe to get this and future episodes automatically delivered to your device. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download your podcasts.

NEW TO PODCASTS? Here's How to Listen

A podcast is essentially a radio show on the internet that you can listen to from almost anywhere. There are two options to listen: Through a website (aka streaming) or by downloading the podcast via an app so you can listen anytime, even without an internet connection.

To stream: Visit the Technology Today podcast page on our website or find the podcast on SoundCloud and click play to listen.

To download and subscribe: Get the podcast delivered to your phone or tablet each month using an app. For iPhones and iPads, use the Podcasts app already installed on your device or download the app from the App Store. In the Podcasts app, search Technology Today. For Android phones and tablets, use Google Podcasts and search Technology Today. You can also find the podcast on iTunes and Spotify. Don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button so you never miss a new episode. Your device may need to be on your cellular provider's network, rather than the SwRI network, to subscribe and download.

For more information, contact Lisa Peña at 210 522 2046.

SwRI Planetary Scientist Dr. Tracy Becker and the SwRI Eclipse Outreach Team, which includes Institute scientists, engineers and staff members, are educating the community on the April 8 total eclipse. Becker is pictured here presenting at a SwRI event in fall 2023.

No Social Media Account? Visit the SwRI Social Page for the Latest News

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and events on the SwRI Social page. The page includes a live feed from SwRI’s Facebook page and features YouTube videos and podcasts featuring staff members discussing SwRI, their work, or STEM in general. For more information, contact Maria Stothoff at 210 522 3305.

Upcoming Events

Slick Talkers

Slick Talkers meets every 1st and 3rd Friday from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (Central). Meetings are hybrid - attend in person or online. Contact Sheril Vineyard, 210 522 2226, for more information.

Food Bank Volunteer Dates

Contact Shane Siebenaler, 210 522 5758, with any questions.

 

Blood Drive Dates

Schedule your appointment at RRA Blood Drive. For questions, contact Elizabeth Branch, RRA Blood Drive Coordinator.

April 11, 2024

May 9, 2024

June 13, 2024

July 11, 2024

August 8, 2024

September 12, 2024

October 10, 2024

November 14, 2024

December 12, 2024

Slick Reads Book Club

Book Club meeting the 3rd Tuesday of each month from noon to 1:00 pm (Central). Join the discussion online or attend in person!

April 16, 2024
Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus

May 21, 2024
The Spy and the Traitor - Ben Macintyre

June 18, 2024
Open Book Month

July 16, 2024
Extraterrestrial - Avi Loeb

August 20, 2024
Some Assembly Required - Neil Shubin

September 17, 2024
Open Book Month

October 15, 2024
One Second After - William R. Forstchen

November 19, 2024
How to Take over the World - Ryan North

December 17, 2024
Open Book Month

Insurance & Benefits Updates/Information

Retiree Benefits: Phone number: 210 522 2232 | Email: retireebenefits@swri.org

Review the 2024 RETIREE BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT GUIDE for benefits information becoming effective as of January 1, 2024. The benefits information below has been organized to assist you in making your benefits elections for 2024, as well as for your use throughout the 2024 benefits plan year. Bookmark this site on your smart phone to be able to refer to your 2024 benefits information anytime and anywhere you may carry your mobile phone.

Effective January 1, 2024

Pre-65 Medical Plans

UnitedHealthcare Choice EPO (COBRA)

    Summary of Benefits and Coverage 2024 (en Español)

UnitedHealthcare Texas Premier Choice

    Certificate of Coverage 2024
    Summary of Benefits and Coverage 2024

UnitedHealthcare Texas Premier HDHP

    Certificate of Coverage 2024
    Summary of Benefits and Coverage 2024 

Medicare-Age Medical Plans

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage PPO (MAPPO)

    Annual Notice of Changes 2024
    Evidence of Coverage 2024
    Plan Guide 2024
    2024 Formulary MAPPO
    Hearing
    Renew by UnitedHealthcare
    Healthy at Home
    Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
    Get credits to spend on over-the-counter (OTC) health care products
    HouseCalls
    Let's Move by UnitedHealthcare

Hartford Plan F & Express Scripts

    Hartford Plan F Evidence of Coverage 2024
    Hartford Schedule of Benefits
    Express Scripts Reference Guide 2024 (pending)
    2024 Formulary Express Scripts
    Silver&Fit – www.silverandfit.com

TIAA Financial Services

Call 1 800 842 2252 for assistance.

Live Webinars

TIAA’s monthly live webinars can be accessed through its interactive site making financial education easy. It's easy to get started:
Please obtain permission and coordinate paid time off (PTO) or compensatory time with your supervisor before registering for webinars being conducted during business hours.

  • Register to access the Virtual Environment (if this is your first visit).
  • Webinars are Located in the “Live Webinar Lounge”
  • Click on the webinar you want to attend to sign up.

Useful Links

 Retiree Benefits: 210 522 2232, retireebenefits@swri.org
 Cafeteria Menu: 210 522 2627
 Fitness Center: 210 522 5100, skauffmann@swri.org
 Retirees Hotline: 210 522 4580
 RRA: rra.swri.org
 SwRI Weather Hotline: 210 522 5555
 SwRI Web Site: swri.org
 Call 210 684 5111, press 2 (Staff Directory)

Reunion Photos

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201820142010 

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) season has kicked off, with 23 locations across San Antonio. Last year this program returned more than $70 million dollars to many of our friends and neighbors in San Antonio. VITA is available free of charge for individuals and households that earned up to $55,000 in total income last year. VITA volunteers electronically file basic federal income tax returns for families and individuals.

This program is sponsored by the City of San Antonio, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and Catholic Charities. For more information or to find a nearby VITA site and its business hours, tax filers can go online to www.vitasa.org or call the United Way Helpline at 2-1-1.

 

 

Special Savings

Working Advantage
Use Code:  753933502

TicketsAtWork.com
Use Code:  RRA2

Land’s End
Use Code:  53933502

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Sea World; Worlds of Discovery

Publications

RRA Happy Times

Read the March 2024 Happy Times.

Send us a message and we’ll notify you when the Happy Times has been posted each month for your viewing pleasure. Submit an ad for the Happy Times at rra@swri.org.

Roadrunner

Submit Roadrunner news to Tracey Whelan or call 210 522 2256.

Tech Today/Annual Report

You will receive the Technology Today and Annual Report by mail by default. If you would like to receive these online instead, email Jennifer Deimel at jdeimel@swri.org to change your subscription.

Tech Today Online
Annual Report Online

 

The Library

Love to Read? Interested in joining a book group? Share your thoughts with the Library!
The Slick Reads Book Club meets the third Tuesday of every month in the Library Reading Room from noon – 1:00 pm. If you’d like to join in the fun, or would like more information about this program, please contact the Library at 210 522 2125 or library@swri.org.

Slick Book Exchange
Next time you’re on campus, stop by the Thomas Baker Slick Memorial Library and visit the ‘Slick Book Exchange’ located in the Library Reading Room.

Here’s how it works: come by the library anytime Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., drop off your gently used books and exchange them for the same number of books that are new-to-you. That’s all—it’s a one-for-one swap and there’s no need to check these books out or return them unless you want to swap again.

Help build the book exchange collection by bringing in your gently used fiction, non-fiction and technical books and make sure to visit the exchange often as the selection will change frequently. For more information or questions, please contact the Library at 210 522 2125 or library@swri.org.

Contact Tracey M.S. Whelan, 210 522 2256, for questions or comments or to update your mailing address.

Or submit a comment/suggestion below.

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