Annual TI Retiree Luncheon

Approximately 800 TI retirees, TIAA members, spouses and guests packed the Mesquite Convention Center for the annual TI Retiree Luncheon Oct. 27. The event celebrated the TIAA 10th anniversary and TIers in the Community. To view the presentations made at the event, go to www.tialumni.org/tirl2009/.

Tech Smart Big Heart Discounts

TI retirees as well as TI employees are eligible for discounts at the following cultural organizations supported by Texas Instruments: Texas Ballet Theater, Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Zoo, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Richardson Symphony Orchestra. For more information go to www.tialumni.org/discount/ (member login is required) and click on the Tech Smart Big Heart discount link.

In Memoriam

TIAA has recently learned of the deaths of the following retired TIers or TIAA members: Macy Neil Allen, Carl Thomas Applewhite, Inez Aston, Thomas H. Chaddick, Geneva Laverl Crowson, William Martell Dallin, Cristell Denison, Howard Wayne Edwards, James R. Freiler, Donald L. Fry, Joseph F. Gangeme, Gladys Gossett, Mildred L. Graves, Clyde Joe Green, Leota Marbelle Harader, Daisy Hogue, William F. Jergens, Peter P. Massari , Ruby Matthews, Jake Vance Mills, Ruby Ruth Nance, Frances Norgan, George Monnig Phenix, Eleanor Marie Picaso, Sarah Ethel Pilcher, Reta Elaine Pounds, Rita Viola Provost, Donald L. Rawls, Mary A. Smith, Henry Frederick Stern and Georgia Lee Strong. We add names to our online In Memoriam list as we learn of them and post these additions in the next eNews. To view the complete list, go to www.tialumni.org/in-memoriam/.

Richland College Emeritus Program

An Emeritus Spring 2010 back-to-school kickoff will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Fannin Performance Hall, Richland College, 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas. Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Chancellor, Dallas County Community College District, will discuss the four stages of life: Preparation, Achievement, Fulfillment and Completion with a focus on the ages of Fulfillment and Completion. Attendance is free and coffee and muffins will be available. For more information, call 972-238-6972.

Cowboy Stadium Tours

The Cowboy Stadium tours on Nov. 17 and 19 set a new record for participation in TIAA-sponsored travel events. More than 160 TIAA members, spouses and guests attended – over three times the previous number of attendees at any TIAA travel event. Because of the unprecedented response, we had to schedule two tours and hire three buses – all that were available – for each tour. After touring the stadium, we had an excellent lunch at Mercado Juarez. If you haven’t participated in one of our events, you might want to join us for the Grapevine event in December or the Kilgore trip in January, described below.

Upcoming TIAA Travel Events

Christmas on Main Street and Twinkle Light Parade – Saturday, Dec. 5 – We filled the bus and began a standby list by mid-November. As a result, we are planning on adding a second bus if enough people register. We have also added an optional wine-tasting for $5 per person and a visit to the Glass Cactus Club at Gaylord Texan, which has a two-story deck overlooking Lake Grapevine. We will now leave Texins at 2 p.m. The optional wine tasting will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cross Timbers Winery. (Those who want to skip this can go directly to Main Street.) On Main Street, we can visit with Santa Claus, take a complimentary horse-drawn trolley ride, shop the historic downtown square, eat complimentary Kettle Korn and enjoy the strolling entertainers in period costumes. Next we will go to Gaylord Texan to view the holiday décor including 1.5 million twinkling lights and 30 seven-foot-tall ornaments strung from the top of its glass roof; a 50-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree; multiple miniature train sets; 14-foot-tall decorated cowboy boots; a life-size gingerbread house; Santa's workshop including a cookie conveyor belt and control station; and dozens of lavish holiday displays including 5,600 feet of garland, 2,300 wreaths, and 10,000 ornaments. Finally, we'll gather at the Glass Cactus to watch the Twinkle Light Parade on Lake Grapevine from the club or, weather permitting, from its deck. We expect to return about 8 p.m. Cost is $12 per member and $14 per nonmember. Bring $5 per person if you want to go to the wine tasting. Please register as soon as possible; places will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

East Texas Oil Museum – Wednesday, Jan. 20 – Travel to Kilgore and back in time to the East Texas oil boom. The museum displays the history of the largest oil field in the “lower 48”. Then step through the doors into another era, a recreation of a muddy street in a full-sized boom town. Browse the shelves at the Arp General Store, ride a "magic elevator" to the center of the earth, have refreshments at the Overton Drug Store or dance to vintage 1930 big-band music. Stroll a block away to the Rangerette Showcase and Museum featuring displays of mechanized Rangerette props, costumes from the spring stage show plus thousands of photographs and newspaper clippings. We will leave Texins at 9 a.m. and return about 5 p.m. Cost is $28 per member and $31 per nonmember. Please register by Jan. 13.

Contact Jessica Stewart at admin@tialumni.org or 214-567-8444 to register for events. Each member may bring one guest at the member price. Make checks payable to TIAA and mail to TIAA, P. O. Box 740181, Dallas, TX 75374. Please remit payment at least seven days prior to the event.

Check the TI Alumni online calendar for additional events