The last day of the special enrollment period for Federal Employee Spouse Benefits is today. After today we will be able to enroll our spouses and step children on our benefits during the usual open enrollment period.
Here’s more information about Same-Sex Spouse benefits in general from Lambda Legal:
On August 15, 2013 the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) presented a webcast on certain Federal benefits for same-sex spouses. If you missed it, here’s the archived video: http://www.opm.gov/news/media-center/mediacentervideos.aspx.
Also, if you would like to connect with Federal GLOBE on Facebook, use the following link to request membership on the Federal GLOBE group page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_144779428928939.
Thanks to Federal Globe for forwarding the information.
Thanks to all who helped make the International Food Sample Festival a success. Special thanks to Danny Leung for getting us a wonderful caterer! Here’s some information about him and his business.
Nicholas J. Coletto of Wine and Dine 1-2-3Nick is the primary writer for the Wine and Dine 1-2-3 team. He was born into an immigrant Italian family where home cooking was the only way. Everything was homemade: the pasta, the sauce, the sausage, etc. Each September, he and his family would turn bushels of tomatoes into jarred whole tomatoes, sauce and paste.
His early years, combined with his time living in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in New York City, lead Nick to become a life-long foodie. Within walking distance of his home, he could find authentic foods of the world. Spanish, German, Indian, Argentine, Thai, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Malaysian and Ethiopian were just some of the styles represented.
Nick spent 30 years in the New York school system, as a teacher and then as a principal. After retiring, Nick combined his experience with education and his passion for food and wine, and began to offer seminars on food and wine pairings.
Nick prides himself in his ability to select wines that compliment various foods, never being confined by the white with this dish and the red with that dish mentality. He has always experimented with wines, and choses wines that bring out the different flavors of the meal – both, during both their preparation and served with them. During the past 3 years he has had the opportunity to taste over 2,500 wines.
Constant encouragement of people attending his seminars, lead him to write Wine and Dine 1-2-3, a guide to interesting and unique food and wine pairings.
On August 15, 2013, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will present a Webcast on certain Federal benefits for same-sex spouses, followed by a live question and answer period. The webcast will start at 1:30pm EDT and the live question and answer period will follow immediately afterward.
The link to view the OPM webcast is: http://new.livestream.com/OPMWebcast/20130815doma
You may test the link prior to the webcast by accessing the Web page indicated. You will see a banner displaying the following: “Coverage of Same-Sex Spouses Under Federal Benefit Programs”
The link to view the captioning for the webcast is: http://recapd.com/w-aa1b96
If the link is successful you will see the same banner.
You will be able to watch the Webcast on a PC or MAC computer. When you click on the link it will open up into whatever your default browser is set to on your computer. Chrome. Firefox. Internet Explorer. Safari. You can also watch the webcast stream on an iPhone, iPad, or Droid. The device should be Wi-Fi or 4G capable.
If you telework do not log onto the webcast through CITRIX. Simply click on the link with a broadband connection. If you have any problems connecting to the webcast, please contact your IT Help Desk.
It is not too late to buy IFS tickets! IFS tickets are on sale tomorrow (08/13) from 11:00 am to 1:00 PM by the Cafeteria next to the security station.
Hello Sports Fans!
The Night OUT at the Mystics is coming up on Tuesday, August 20 vs. the Chicago Sky. Game time is 7 PM at the Verizon Center. This is professional women’s basketball at its finest as the Mystics seek to go to the play-offs this year.
Tickets are just $20 each and will be seated together in the 100 level section. You can get your tickets NOW at www.verizoncenter.com/mystics/teamdc. Use the special code “teamdc” to get the discounted price.
The Washington Mystics are also hosting a “Pride Night Pre-Game Party” from 5-7 PM in the Acela Lounge inside the Verizon Center that night. For $35 per person, you get:
Tickets are only available online. Groups of 6 or more can contact Monique Lewis at mlewis@monumentalsports.com.
Thanks to Matt Lewis for the info!
Also, if you are a Mystics season ticket holder and want to attend the pre-game mixer, contact Monique….she’ll get you in!
Five tickets for $5 or ten tickets for $10 (One ticket redeemable for one sample serving). These tickets on special member pricing will remain on sale only through August 6th. Our table will feature Italian cuisine samples from an LGBT Owned catering business to include Bruschetta, Italian Meatballs, De-constructed Stuffed Mushrooms, Prosciutto Onion Gorgonzola and Stuffed Campari Tomatoes. Other offerings include Chicken Bririyani and Falafel; Samosas and Korean Dumplings; Mini Beef Patties and Jerk Chicken; Persian Chicken Kabobs; Eggplant Salad; Chicken Gumbo; Lemon Ricotta Kale Dip; Ethiopian Minchetabsh; Chocolate Dipping Station; Roasted Chicken and more! Don’t miss a great deal, contact Larry Sternbane and Michael Tzeng to get your half price tickets before they’re gone!
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) would like to collaborate with the other affinity groups at the PTO in organizing a barbecue. The barbecue would be open to all of the participating affinity groups members and would serve to celebrate the end of the fiscal year. Mid-October was the time frame that we thought would be ideal for the event but, depending on the participants, the time frame can be changed. Are you interested in participating? Leave a comment or e-mail our inbox.
The International Food Sampling Festival is coming to PTO on August 14! Discounted price tickets are on sale now through the various affinity groups. Contact Larry Sternbane and Michael Tzeng to buy tickets to the festival at half price. Five tickets for $5 or ten tickets for $10 (One ticket redeemable for one sample serving). These tickets on special member pricing will remain on sale only through August 6th. Our table will feature Italian cuisine samples from an LGBT Owned business.
As we are closing in to the Lambda Flyer’s first anniversary, we are launching a new site where all members will be able to check on the latest updates, events and resources available. This format enables more flexibility for all of us on the board of directors to publish content outside the PTO network, giving members the ability to read, communicate and is also available for those who don’t use Facebook as a social platform. Now, please keep in mind this site is still in development, so you might see some changes within the coming weeks.
Now, first order of business, we are in the planning stages for the International Food Sampling event at PTO and we’re happy to report, a couple of local LGBT catering businesses have joined us and have accepted our request to feature their menu. Now it’s time to coordinate and more details about the lineup will be coming out soon. In the mean time, tickets to the event will be on sale shortly so save the date!
In other news, here’s a short reminder for those who wish to extend their federal benefits to their families in light of the Supreme Court ruling on the now defunct Defense of Marriage Amendment (DOMA). There’s a special 60-day open enrollment period which will end on August 26. Those who wish to enroll their spouses and step children in their Federal health, life, dental and vision insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts and long-term care insurance for family members, don’t forget to go by the Customer Service Center and bring your Marriage License.
Lastly, don’t forget to come down and socialize at the Innovative Grounds Coffee Shop for the bi-weekly Lambda Coffee Break tomorrow at 2:30 PM. Our group gathers in front of the coffee shop at the Madison Building, concourse level.
You must be logged in to post a comment.