Last month, the City of Albany’s Department of Assessment mailed out the ENHANCED STAR EXEMPTION RENEWAL application to all city of Albany homeowners age 65 and older. The application included a very important letter. Thanks to resourceful NNORC resident (and Irish set dancer extraordinaire) Leslie Dykeman, NNORC obtained a copy of the letter. The following highlights some of the vital information:
The application form enclosed with the letter serves as both the ENHANCED STAR EXEMPTION RENEWAL application AND the SENIOR CITIZENS EXEMPTION RENEWAL application. The new Enhanced STAR income limit is $86,000.00. The senior citizen exemption is limited to owners who have an annual income of $37,400.00 or less. The renewal form must be completed and returned to the Department of Assessment’s office by March 1st, 2018—no exceptions. Without returning the renewal application, the Enhanced and/or Senior STAR benefit will be removed from the 2018 Assessment Roll.
A copy of your 2016 Federal Income Tax return must accompany the application. And if you do not file
income taxes, a copy of all monthly income for the 2016 tax year must be provided instead, including any and all rental income received from all properties you may own.
Also of note, a resolution has been presented to the City of Albany Common Council by Ward 9 Leader Hon. Judy L. Doesschate in order to authorize the deduction of non-reimbursed medical expenses from income. If this resolution is voted on and passed prior to March 1, 2018, it will allow for the deduction of such medical expenses from your income this application/renewal period. If you wish to deduct medical expenses which were not reimbursed by insurance or any other third party, you may send in documentation depicting such expenses along with the renewal form.
If you have any questions, did not receive the application and letter, or have misplaced your copy, please feel free to call the Department of Assessment’s office at 518-434-5155.
NNROC Breakfast Club: Health Screening and Our Own Prescription Drug Take Back
Have you ever considered a health screening for blood glucose, blood pressure or bone density? Do you know if you need this type of screening? In this NNORC Breakfast Club, students from the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Science will discuss the overall importance of screenings in taking care of your health, the benefit of early detection of issues, the meaning of the values derived from the screenings, and what to do with the results. Students will also share information about their epilepsy project as well as “Script Your Future” and the importance of medication adherence.
Finally, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 28, 2018. Rather than wait and make a separate trip to drop off outdated medications, please bring them to the April Breakfast Club. For $2.00, the students will bag and safely dispose of them for you.
Save Wednesday, May 9 for a special Breakfast Club. Join the NNORC staff for “NNORC Reflections.” We will have an open discussion and updates on the NNORC program. We hope to see you there!
DATE: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: Albany Jewish Community Center (340 Whitehall Rd, Albany).
RSVP: Please call NNORC at 514-2023 to reserve your bagel and your seat.
Age-Friendly Meeting Focuses on Making Albany Friendly for People of All Ages
On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, nearly 30 people gathered for the second Age Friendly- Albany County meeting at Cohoes Senior Center. Several individuals made presentations to help Albany reach the goal of keeping its older adults at home and engaged in their communities for as long as possible.
Judi England, RN, Senior Health Education Coordinator for the JFS Albany NNORC, discussed her recent blog post “What’s in a name? – “Age-Friendly”? Judi’s blog is called Holistic Health and is featured on the Times Union website. Program Director Thomas Scarff discussed developing an action plan around the 8 domains that make up an Age-Friendly community (i.e. housing, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, outdoor spaces & buildings, work and civic engagement, communication & information, and community and health services). County Executive, Daniel P. McCoy, joined in on the discussion and expressed his commitment to this initiative as well as his enthusiasm for the future. Keith Chan, PhD, MSW, from the University at Albany School of Social Welfare, presented on gathering and interpreting data from both stakeholder and residents in Albany County to assist in creating an action plan for the initiative. The Mayor of the City of Cohoes, Mayor Shawn Morse, discussed how Cohoes is already engaged in making changes to the city to make it more Age-Friendly. Co-Chair of Age Friendly- Albany County, Michael J. Burgees, reviewed the goals of small work groups to be broken down based on the eight domains. Patricia J. Binzer, EdD, Co-Chair of Age Friendly- Albany County, presented on the role of the Community Council to ensure that residents are given a voice in this process.
At the close of the meeting it was decided that the next steps are to complete a needs assessment and then to develop an action plan moving forward. Small work groups will be meeting again in October based on their interest and expertise in the eight domains. For more information about Age Friendly Albany, visit https://tinyurl.com/yat4wfwl.
"Let's Talk About Albany" is taking a field trip.
We are taking a special trip downtown to the Ten Broek Mansion on Thursday, June 28 at 1:00 p.m. The Ten Broeck Mansion was built in 1797-98 for General Abraham Ten Broeck and his wife, Elizabeth Van Rensselaer. We will tour the mansion and learn about its history. The mansion is located at 9 Ten Broeck Place (near Livingston Ave and Manning Blvd).
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
- Albany Seniors Services has a small van that can transport 10 passengers for $6.00 per person. The van will leave APL’s Bach Branch at 12:30 p.m. and return to Bach at approximately 2:45 p.m.
- If the van is full, carpooling is also encouraged. There is a free parking lot behind the mansion. Your group can arrange to depart from Bach.
Save the date for the next meeting of Let’s Talk About…Albany! It will be on July 26 at 1:00 p.m. at APL’s Bach Branch. The Albany County Historical Association will talk about the history of Washington Park, complete with photos.
Date: Thursday June 28, 2018
Time: 1:00 p.m. (van leaves the Bach Branch at 12:30)
Place: APL’s Bach Branch (455 New Scotland Ave., Albany)
RSVP: Please RSVP and pay NNORC: 518-514-2023. The entrance fee to the Mansion is $4.00, plus $6.00 if you are riding in the Albany Senior Services van. If you want to carpool, please let NNORC know when you RSVP and we can put you in touch with other attendees, so you can make arrangements.
Paris Time at Cap Rep
Paris Time is a gripping and sophisticated drama that looks behind the headlines at anti-Semitism in today’s France.
When Deborah, the wife of a successful American executive based in Paris, becomes an activist defending a young Jewish Frenchwoman, Charles gets caught in the corporate hot seat. Company policy demands him to withdraw from the political limelight or lose his career, but if won’t get involved, he may lose his marriage. With everything on the line, this winner of the Rep’s Next Act Play Summit 5, brings today’s issues right into our living rooms.
NNORC has secured a limited number of tickets for this matinee performance!
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Capital Reparatory Theater, 111 N Pearl St, Albany
RSVP: Reservations required. Call NNORC at 514-2023.
Fee: $16 per ticket (reserve early, tickets are limited)
NNORC and AARP Taxing Filing Appointments are Booked
We are happy to report that so many of the Albany NNORC residents have taken advantage of the free tax prep offered by AARP. Unfortunately, all remaining appointments are booked! We have created a waiting list in case someone cancels, but please be prepared to investigate other tax prep options.
Date: Current appoints are March 27 and April 3
Time: 90 minute appointments from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place: B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Rd. Albany
RSVP: Please call NNORC at 518-514-2023 to to be added to our waiting list.
Don't Miss NNORC Night at the JCC!
Come out for another NNORC Night. The JCC will be serving up a delicious dinner featuring cornflake crumb chicken, along with good conversation and fun! NNORC night is always a good time to catch up with friends and make new ones.
Date: Wednesday, January 31
Time: 4:45 p.m.
Place: Albany JCC (340 Whitehall Rd., Albany)
RSVP: Please call Claire Sigal at 518-438-6651 to make your reservation by 9:30 a.m. on January 31. The suggested donation is $5. We look forward to seeing you there!
Ring in the New Year with Healthier Living at Breakfast Club!
Join us for a new year of Breakfast Clubs! Maura Fleming, the Capital Region Program Manager at the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York will be speaking about healthier living for your brain and body.
For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to optimize our physical and cognitive health as we age. This program offers participants an opportunity to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
Save the date for February Breakfast Club on Wednesday, February 14. We will welcome back Trooper Stephen Rothwein, Community Outreach Coordinator at the New York State Police. He will discuss home security for seniors.
Date: Wednesday, January 10
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Albany Jewish Community Center (340 Whitehall Road, Albany)
RSVP: Please call NNORC at 518-514-2023 to RSVP
Food and Flicks Presents… Wonder Woman!
Wonder Woman is the fifth-highest-grossing superhero film domestically, starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, Diana (Gadot), an Amazonian warrior in training, leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny.
We’re bringing in food from Cardona’s Market. Choose eggplant parmesan or chicken parmesan. The cost is $13 for members and $15 for non-members.
Date: Thursday, February 8
Time: 12:00 noon
Place: Congregation Beth Emeth (100 Academy Rd., Albany)
RSVP: RSVP with NNORC at 518-514-2023. Registrations will be accepted until Tuesday, February 6
Wellness Wednesday Discusses "Loving the skin you're in….at any age"
Wellness Wednesday returns in January! Lisa Whitney, Master Esthetician, will present:”Loving the skin you’re in….at any age”. Join us for this opportunity to learn tips for mature skin health, wellness, and beauty.
Date: Wednesday January 17, 2018
Time: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Place: Congregation B’Nai Sholom, 420 Whitehall Rd., Albany
RSVP: Please RSVP with the NNORC at 518-514-2023