August 2018 NIH R&W Digital Newsletter

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What You’re Looking For… • NIH R&W Fitness & Wellness Program……………..…………………………….…….pages 3-5 o Free Fitness for You Schedule……………………………………………….……….page 3 o Mobile Mammography, Groomed & Polished……………………..….…........page 5 • Comcast Outdoor Film Festival, New Merchandise, Notary Services..….……..page 7 • R&W Community Market………………………….……..................……………………….pages 8 -10 o Food Truck Schedule…………………………………………………………………….page 8 o Farmers Market Corner, Recipe……………………………………………………..page 10 • Institute Relay, Merchant Vendor Spotlight, Dry Cleaning……..................……..page 11 • Collective Goods Gift Show, NIH Vanpool........................................................page 12 • Home Buyer Education…………………………………..…………………………………......page 13 • Discounted Tickets…………………………………………………………………………………page 15 - 17 o Nationwide Attractions……………………………………………….………………….page 15 o Maryland and Pennsylvania Parks and Attractions …..……………………….page 16 o Virginia and Washingotn DC Parks and Attractions.…………………………page 17 • Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………………...page 20

Please be aware of the following Fitness related schedule: Monday, August 27th – Monday, September 3rd group fitness classes are cancelled for summer break **with the exception for any scheduled ‘Fitness for You” classes Tuesday, September 4th all group fitness classes resume.

Fitness Center CLOSED – Saturday, September 1st and Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day Holiday.

FREE “Fitness for You” August 2018 Events Date

Day

Time

Location

8/6

Monday

7am – 7:50am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Program

Trainer

Tread & Shred

Robert

(Limited Cardio Machines – first come first served)

8/6

Monday

11am – 11:50am

RKL II Rm. 9112/9116

8/6

Monday

12pm – 12:50pm

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Hardcore Abs Boot Camp

Robert

Indoor Cycling – Turn & Burn

Robert

(Limited bikes – first come first served)

8/7

Tuesday

7am – 7:50am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

8/7

Tuesday

8am – 8:20am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

8/7

Tuesday

12pm – 12:50pm

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

8/8

Wednesday

8am – 8:50am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

8/8

Wednesday

11am – 11:50am

8/8

Wednesday

8/14

Masters Fitness Boot Camp Twenty-Minute w/ Trainer Registration: geterr@od.nih.gov Training with Kettlebells

Robert Robert Robert Robert

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Machine Fitness Registration: geterr@od.nih.gov Masters Fitness Boot Camp

12pm – 12:50pm

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Afro – Latin Dance Fitness (Salsa)

Robert

Tuesday

11am – 11:45am

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Zumba

Michelle

8/14

Tuesday

12:15pm – 1pm

Bldg. 10 South Lobby

Belly Dance

Rachel

8/15

Wednesday

12pm – 12:45pm

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

8/16

Thursday

5:30pm – 6:30pm

The Loft (T-39)

8/17

Friday

11am – 11:45am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Piloxing

Ashley

8/21

Tuesday

12:15pm – 1pm

Bldg. 10 South Lobby

Belly Dance

Rachel

8/21

Tuesday

5:30pm – 6:30pm

The Loft (T-39)

Functional Fitness Training

Eddie

823

Thursday

6:45am – 7:30am

Bldg. 1 Front Lawn

Sunrise Yoga

Kati

8/23

Thursday

5:30pm – 6:30pm

The Loft (T-39)

Functional Fitness Training

Eddie

8/27

Monday

7am – 7:50am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Tread & Shred

Robert

Zumba Functional Fitness Training

Robert

Alyssa Eddie

(Limited Cardio Machines – first come first served)

8/27

Monday

8am – 8:20am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Twenty-Minute w/ Trainer Registration: geterr@od.nih.gov

Robert

8/27

Monday

11am – 11:50am

RKL II Rm. 9112/9116

Hardcore Abs Boot Camp

Robert

8/27

Monday

12pm – 12:50pm

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Indoor Cycling – Turn & Burn

Robert

(Limited bikes – first come first served)

8/28

Tuesday

7am – 7:50am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Masters Fitness Boot Camp

8/28

Tuesday

12pm – 12:50pm

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

8/29

Wednesday

8am – 8:20am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Twenty-Minute w/ Trainer Registration: geterr@od.nih.gov

Robert

8/29

Wednesday

8am – 8:50am

Bldg. 31 Rm. B4-C18

Machine Fitness Registration: geterr@od.nih.gov

Robert

8/29

Wednesday

11am – 11:50am

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Master Fitness Boot Camp

Robert

8/29

Wednesday

12pm – 12:50pm

RKL II Rm 9112/9116

Afro – Latin Dance Fitness (Salsa)

Robert

Training with Kettlebells

Robert Robert

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2018 Mobile Mammography Screening The George Washington Breast Cancer Center will make four visits to NIH for our 2018 Mammography Screening. All NIH employees, their families, contractors, visiting scientists and others associated with NIH are eligible to participate.

The screening dates are as follows: *New Date* Wednesday, August 22nd – Building 10, Lot H Thursday, November 8th – Building 10, Lot H The van will be on-site from 9:30am - 3:30pm taking prescheduled appointments. Reservations can be made no more than 1 month prior of screening date. There is a minimum requirement of 15 participants for the screenings to take place and a maximum of 25 per date. Each screening is conducted by a female technologist, and a board certified radiologist specializing in mammography will interpret the images. Appointments should take approximately 20 minutes. Most insurance companies will cover the cost (approx. $350) of the screening. To see if your insurance is accepted or to make an appointment, call 202-741-3252. If there is no answer, please leave a message with your name and phone number. The GW Mammovan staff will call you back and schedule your appointment. Please have your insurance card and doctor’s information available when calling to make an appointment.

Who is Eligible? Any woman IS eligible if she meets the following: • She is age 40 or older • She is not pregnant or breast-feeding • She does not have breast implants • She does not have any prior history of breast problems (patients who need a 6 months follow up must get a Diagnostic mammogram not Screening) • She is not having symptoms such as a lump in either breast or unusual breast pain • She has a referring physician or doctor of record (Ex. Medical Doctor, OBGYN doctor) • She has not had a mammogram within the last 12 months Individuals with disabilities who need Sign Language Interpreters and/or reasonable accommodation to participate in this screening should contact the R&W at 301-496-8746 and/or the Federal Relay 1-800-877-8339 or email browned2@mail.nih.gov. Requests should be made at least 10 days in advance of the appointment. For more information about mammography, breast cancer, or other types of cancer call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER or see www.nci.nih.gov.

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 on Monday & Friday at NIH in Bldg. 31 Rm. B4BN09 (near the NIH Fitness Center). The meetings are free and confidential. For more info call the EAP at 301496-3164.

New Offering at the Beauty & Barbershop Groomed and Polished in partnership with AhhCandles is offering natural nail manicures and pedicures for men and women, hydrating facials and free complimentary hand massages this summer at the Beauty and Barbershop in Bldg.10, by appointment only. Learn more about Groomed and Polished wellness services or schedule an appointment with Alison by emailing alison.hender@yahoo.com or calling 301-706-6719.

See page 18 for a special offering from Groomed and Polished.

Join the R&W and Fitness ListServs Get the latest on all things R&W related delivered to your Inbox. Be the first to hear about upcoming events, R&W store specials, travel opportunities, special ticket offers, early bird offers and much more. Everyone is welcome to join and membership is not required to receive the listserv emails. Go to https://list.nih.gov/archives/r_w_assoc_list-l.html and “join the list” with your name and email and the info will begin to flow. Also join our new Fitness Center listserv to get information on specials, upcoming classes, and any emergency closures at https://list.nih.gov/archives/nih-rw-fitness-l.html.

NIHFCU The NIH Federal Credit Union has been a proud and long-term supporter of Camp Fantastic and the NIH charities as a whole. As NIH’s credit union since 1940, we remain honored to give back to the community we are so privileged to serve.

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22nd Annual Comcast Outdoor Film Festival Join us for the 22nd Annual Comcast Film Festival at Strathmore!

This year’s festival will take place Aug. 23rd – 26th at the lawn at Strathmore. There’s no better way to spend a summer night than watching movies on a nine story high, 52-foot wide inflatable movie screen. Bring your blanket, chairs (low chairs only please) and anyone who loves movies. The movies are free; food and alcohol will be available to purchase from Ridgewells; and of course we will be holding a raffle and accepting donations to help raise funds for the NIH Charities (Friends of Patients at the NIH, The Children’s Inn and Camp Fantastic/Special Love). The Film Festival is located adjacent to the Grosvenor Metro station. Free parking is available at the garage on Saturdays but parking is $5.10 weekdays. We will be looking for volunteers, teens and adults, who are willing to give some of their time to help out from 4:30pm - 9:30pm for one night or a few nights. Due to the limited duration and size of this year’s festival volunteer opportunities will be LIMITED. This year’s films will be: Thursday 8/23 – Coco (PG) Friday 8/24 – Black Panther (PG-13) Saturday 8/25 – Lion King (G) Sunday 8/26 – Wonder Woman (PG-13) FYI…The R&W can sign for community service, however we would prefer high school age children. For details on volunteering contact baher-christine@usa.net. Your own alcohol and pets are not permitted.

New Arrivals at R&W Stores The R&W recently received NEW NIH branded t-shirts, t-shirt/hat combos and “Big Place Lots of Smart People” mugs. Stop by the R&W stores at Rockledge or Bldg. 31 and purchase yours today.

These items make great gifts for summer interns to remember their time at NIH and make for great gifts from interns to their family and friends when they return home.

Purchase Your R&W Membership Today If you haven’t already make sure to join the R&W, for only $9!

Memberships are good for 365 days. R&W Members can purchase tickets, join R&W clubs, join Costco as a new member, get discounts in R&W stores and more. Join at the Bldg. 31 or Rockledge R&W stores, or preferably online at www.govemployee.com/nih. After adding a membership to your cart, click on the Cart icon in the menu bar, proceed to checkout, and once you’ve entered the appropriate information on the next screen click Proceed to PayPal to make payment. You do not need a PayPal account to purchase a membership, they will handle the payment transaction with your credit card.

R&W Notary Services to Assist NIH Employees If you need documents notarized the R&W is here to help. Visit https://govemployee.com/nih/notaries/ for a list of NIH employees who are notaries and can assist you with your needs. If you are notary you’d like to offer your services, free of charge, contact David Browne at browned2@mail.nih.gov with your contact information and a copy of your notary certificate. To become a notary public visit https://www.nationalnotary.org/maryland.

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The R&W Community Market Tues. at Bldg. 10 South Lawn The R&W Community Market is back outdoors. Join us Tuesdays from 10am – 2pm on the South Lawn of Bldg. 10. Participating vendors are as follows:

Food Trucks Every Tuesday The R&W Community Market has food trucks return to the program every Tuesday thru October 30th. This year you can expect to find the following trucks at our market.

Greek on the Street: Serving authentic Greek cuisine.

Linda Vista Farm: Purchase a variety of in-season produce thru the fall. (Tues. – late-May) Cash/Check/Charge

Carnivore BBQ: Serving the best BBQ in the nation’s capital.

Cupcakes Lounge: Purchase delicious cupcakes, pound cakes, granola and other baked goods. Products contain as much local eggs and fruits as possible. Gluten-free options available.

Cash/Charge

Chix ‘n Stix: Specializes in the familiar comfort foods we all love.

From crisp, fresh, deliciously fried chicken wings and tenders, to all beef quarter pound hot dogs, and specially seasoned “Flavor Fries.”

The Chocolatiers Palette offers delicious gourmet fudge and Belgian chocolate. Fudge is preservative, gluten, corn syrup and artificial flavor free. Cash/Charge

LA Taco: Offering tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, dips and sauces.

Chocolate Moonshine offers over 40 flavors of Artisan Chocolate Bars, each hand painted with French Cocoa Butter. Create their own personalized 10-piece or 20-piece gift box assortment. All are low in sugar, gluten-free, made with Belgian and French chocolates with natural and organic ingredients, including fresh fruits and roasted nuts.

Apple Valley: Purchase apples, apple butter; sauce; jam and other produce. Cash/Check/Charge Crest Hill Bakery: Breads, cookies and pound cakes. Cash M&M Plants: Purchase locally grown flowers (annuals, bedding plants, perennials, and cut flowers). Cash/Charge Randalia Bee Hives: Purchase local raw and cream honey, pollen, hand crafted beeswax candles, bar soap, infused botanical liquid soap, beeswax body salves body lotions, lip balms, tints, salt scrubs and natural deodorants from the Eastern Shore.

Cash/Check/Charge Phil’s Dills: Offers a variety of different pickle flavors including fire garlic, sweet and spicy, wasabi, Old Bay and black pepper, and kosher dills. Cash/Charge Ahh...Candles produces highly scented and long burning handpoured candles, aromatic wax beads and therapeutic neckwraps made with essential oils.

Favor Ceylon Tea: A variety of high quality and affordable Ceylon-grown teas, imported directly from the producers. Teas are all-natural, pesticide-free, and bio-sustainably grown in Sri Lanka. Cash/Charge District Spice: All blends are made in DC, and contain no salt, no anti-caking agents, and no preservatives. A full list of ingredients and recipes can be found on http://www.districtspice.com/.

Cash/Charge (Bi-weekly) All Things Olive: The Washington areas source for real, fresh extra virgin olive oil. Shop from a wide variety of extra virgin olive oils, barrel-aged wine vinegars from Napa Valley and 18 year old balsamic vinegars from Italy. Cash/Charge Otis Farms: Committed to enhancing dogs’ lives and vitality through all natural, pure, and wholesome snacks for health conscious pet parents. Cash/Charge Otis Farms introduces Top Shelf Jerky. Hand crafted meats with spicy artisan blends. Cash/Charge Miscellaneous: Look for jewelry and craft vendors, NIH protocols, corporate sponsors and more.

CapMac: From mac and cheese and gourmet pastas to fresh vegetables and scratch made desserts, CapMac is indulgence without regret.

El Pollo Submarine: Serving Salvadoran comfort with a twist.

Many menu items are vegan or gluten-free.

Swizzler Hot Dogs: Grass-fed beef hot dogs with a twist.

Balkanik Taste: Tasty Balkan cuisine from Bulgaria, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans.

Holy Crepes: Serving sweet and savory flavored crepes that will melt in your mouth.

Go Fish: Bringing the freshest, tastiest seafood.

PhoWheels: Offers a modern interpretation of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, where comforting favorite dishes blend seamlessly with bold new flavors that will entice your palate.

Big Cheese Truck: Purveyors of fine grilled cheeses, with nearly 20 different flavors throughout the year.

Reggae Flava: Offers delicious gourmet Jamaican cuisine and a unique variety of Caribbean dishes.

Captain Cookie and the Milkman: DC sweetest superheroes are a mobile bakery and dairy bar serving fresh-baked cookies, local creamery milk and made-to-order ice cream sandwiches.

Funnel Fare: Provides delicious fair foods like funnel cakes and fried candies, kettle corn, gelati shakes, milkshakes, and more.

Ben & Jerry’s: Enjoy scoops of ice cream, waffle cones, ice cream bars, and root beer floats.

IceGreen Snowballs: An icy classic with a unique Southern snowball charm. Choose from over 30 tasty flavors of this frozen treat.

Firehouse Subs: Enjoy subs from the Firehouse Subs food truck.

NIH Institute Relay is September 20th Assemble your team and start training today!

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Every month, and a variety of weeks and days each month, has its own designated food awareness. Every month the R&W highlights these dates and includes recipes and highlights which Community Market vendor you can purchase ingredients from.

National Food Days •

Watermelon Day (August 3rd) Purchase from Linda Vista Farm

•

Trail Mix Day (August 31st) Purchase ingredients from Cupcakes Lounge (granola), Randalia Bee Hives (honey)

Eat Healthier, Be Healthier Try New Recipes Every Month Look for a variety of new recipes in the Fitness Section of our website at www.govemployee.com/nih. Every month we will post a variety of different recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks. Commit to get fit by eating healthier and working out.

5-Ingredient Easy Peach Hand Pies

National Food Weeks •

Farmers Market Week (1st full week of August)

National Food Months •

Catfish Month

•

Peach Month Purchase from Linda Vista Farm and Apple Valley

•

Sandwich Month Purchase breads from Crest Hill Bakery

•

Back to School Month

•

Family Meals Month

•

Kids Eat Right Month

Ingredients: • • • • •

1 (9-inch frozen whole-wheat piecrust (thawed) ¾ cup chopped ripe peaches 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step 1 Preheat oven to 400°F. Shape piecrust into a ball; divide ball into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 4-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. (Cover dough circles with a damp towel to prevent drying.) Stir together peaches, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

Step 2 Spoon about 1tablespoon peach mixture onto each dough circle, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Moisten dough edges with water; fold circles in half to form half-moons. Crimp edges with a fork to seal; cut slits in top of pies, and place on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet.

Step 3 Bake at 400°F until golden brown, about 14 minutes.

Remove and cool 10 minutes before serving.

Time to Start Training!

The Institute Relay Is September 20th!

On Your Mark, Get Set…Go! It’s time for the 35th NIH Institute Challenge Relay. Can your team defeat the two time defending champs “Charm City NeuRUNS”? The rules are the same…the Relay consists of teams of five runners each whom run a loop around Lot 10H. All Institutes, Centers, Divisions, and Contractors are invited to enter as many teams as they wish. Each team must have men and women runners with at least two runners of the same sex (you can have a team of two females-three males or three females-two males). The race will be held on Thursday, September 20th on the South side of Bldg. 10, beginning at 11:30am. It’s time to start gathering your team together so you can pick your team name and of course, start training. Put on your thinking caps and think creatively about your team name. Examples from last year include: Where the Wild Things Run, Running Our Assays Off, In It For The T-Shirts, ChlorRide Like The Wind, Not Fast Just Furious, Baby Got Track, Your Pace or Mine, I B Pro Fun, We Keep the Gov’t Running, Holy Fit, and Cirque de Sore Leg. Take the next few weeks to gather for jogs around Lot 10H or visit the fitness centers in Bldg. 31for a run on the treadmill or elliptical machine. The relay is a great reason to set a new fitness goal while preparing for a fun event. However, the most important part of the race is to have fun and enjoy the company of your fellow NIHers.

Remember, contractor teams are welcome as well as more than one team per Institute. Get your sneakers ready for some action. It’s going to be fun!

Register your team for $25 at www.govemployee.com/nih/event-detail/nih-institute-relay-2018.

We ask that each group leader also provide the name and contact info for one volunteer. Make sure to visit with event exhibitors as well. To volunteer or for more info contact David Browne at browned2@mail.nih.gov or 301-594-2411.

Dry Cleaning Services Provided to the NIH Community at R&W Locations The R&W offers dry cleaning services through Tom’s Dry Cleaning at the convenience of your workplace. Save money and time out of your busy schedule by using the service provided at the Rockledge store and Bldg. 31 on the 1st floor. Laundry service is $2.20 and dry cleaning is $6.75 and up. See R&W associate for delivery schedule.

Are You Looking to Save Some Money?

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) was founded in 1936, and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States according to the 2016 A.M. Best market share report, published May 2017. It provides auto insurance coverage for over 15 million policy holders. NIH R&W Members could save even more on auto insurance with a special discount from GEICO. Go to the special GEICO R&W discount page to see how much more you could save today!

Order Your Business Cards Thru R&W The R&W has offers Business Cards, produced by AAA Color Card Company, who has provided quality business cards for government and military employees since 1976. Order business cards online at http://govemployee.com/nih/business-cards/ and have them mailed directly to you. Prices start at $38.

See page 3 for the R&W Fitness and Wellbeing Program’s FREE Fitness for You August Class Schedule.

Vendor of the Month Spotlight Pat’s Exclusive Gifts was originated by Pat Nabinett, an avid pen lover and collector. After learning how to design ink pens, she turned her hobby into a part-time business, while adding beaded products such as purse hooks, key finders, stylus, letter openers, wine stoppers, and bottle openers. Pat creates her own designs for sports teams and a variety of awareness, diva, and other specialty pens. Customized items for unique and personal gift giving is welcomed. Visit www.patsexclusivegifts.com for more.

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Collective Goods Gift Show Returns in September

Collective Goods, formerly Books Are Fun, will be returning to the Bldg. 10 South Lobby on Wednesday, September 5th (10am – 3pm), Thursday, September 6th (9am – 3pm), and Friday, September 7th (9am – 2pm) and the Bldg. 31A Lobby on Tuesday, September 18th (10am – 3pm) and Wednesday, September 19th (9am – 2pm). Shop from a variety of books, toys, electronics, gadgets, kitchenware, stationary and more. It’s a one-stop shopping bonanza. A portion of sales comes back to R&W to allow us to continue offering great programs to the NIH community.

Local Restaurant Directory On Govemployee.com The R&W is excited to launch a local restaurant directory on our website, www.govemployee.com. The page will consist of local restaurants around the Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Rockville areas, some offering discounts to employees and promoting specials at their locations.

Contact David Browne at browned2@mail.nih.gov with suggestions of local restaurants you’d like to see on the page.

Vanpooling Is Fun

Interested in Learning How to Sail?

Sailing Basic Training course: The NIH Sailing Association (NIHSA), an R&W club, offers a Sailing Basic Training course for NIH adult employees, contractors, fellows, and patients, and NOAA employees. The summer course will be offered thru August 21st. Visit http://www.nihsail.org/training/ for details. The in-class sessions are held on the NIH Bethesda campus and the onboard (on the water) sessions are held at Selby Bay on the South River near Edgewater, MD. Participants must be able to provide or arrange for their own transportation to both the in-class and onboard sessions. If you are interested in this course and would like more info, contact nihsabasictraining1@gmail.com Experienced Sailors: If you are an experienced sailor and would like to be able to charter the NIHSA boats please contact us about joining the club and doing a check-out sail. We are also always looking for experienced volunteers to help with both inclass and on-board instruction.

Eric Sofranko has openings in his vanpool. The vanpool departs the Jefferson, MD Park-n-Ride/Firehouse at 5:30am and arrives at Campus/Bldg. 31 by 6:30am. The van departs Campus/Bldg. 31 at 4:15pm and arrives in Jefferson at 5:15pm. If you are interested in this Jefferson-to-Campus vanpool, contact Eric at 240-627-3585 or sofranke@mail.nih.gov Kathy Manigo-Lewis has openings in her vanpool. The van is scheduled Monday - Friday, 9 hour days, with AWS. It departs the Route 17 Commuter lot in Fredericksburg, VA, at 4:40am and arrives at Campus by 5:40am. The van departs campus at 3:45pm and arrives at Route 17 Commuter lot in Fredericksburg, VA by 5:15pm. Those interested contact Kathy at 301-451-1205 or kathy.manigo-lewis@nih.gov.

Tripp Wray has openings in his vanpool. The van departs Trinity United Methodist Church in Mount Airy at 5:45am and arrives at Campus by 7am. The van departs campus at 4:30pm (flexible) and arrives at Trinity United Methodist Church around 6pm. If you are interested in Tripp’s vanpool please contact him at 304-4969539 or tripp.wray@nih.gov Richard Buckland has openings in his vanpool. The van departs the Sharpsburg Pike Park-n-Ride, by the outlet mall at 4:30am and arrives at Campus by 5:30am. The van departs campus at 4:15pm and arrives at Sharpsburg Park-n-Ride at 6pm. If you are interested in Richard’s vanpool please contact him at 304-5823113 or rbuckland@verizon.net.

Stacy Coleman has openings in her vanpool. The van departs from the Oxon Hill Park-n-Ride at 6:30am and arrives at Campus and Bldg. 10 by 7:10am. The van departs campus at 4:05pm and arrives in Oxon Hill Park-n-Ride at 5pm. If you are interested in Stacy’s vanpool please contact her at 301-435-4693 or scolemanv@cc.nih.gov.

There are three openings in the vanpool from Ellicott City. The van leaves at 6am from Long Gate Park-and-Ride in Ellicott City and leaves at 3.30pm from Bldg 10. South Entrance parking lot.

Please contact Mukesh Garg 443-803-1234

Homebuyer Education and Counseling is a Great Step for Aspiring Homeowners The desire for homeowner-ship in America remains high. In a 2017 NeighborWorks America survey, 93 percent of respondents said homeownership is important, very important or the most important. Homeownership is important to our economy, our families and our communities and a key vehicle for wealth accumulation. Census data cited in the 2017 National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) State of Housing in Black America report says that 69 percent of an American house-hold’s net worth is attributable to the net equity in their home. Becoming a homeowner is an exciting journey, and preparation is a key to success. Home-buyer education and counseling agencies are important resources to help aspiring homeowners prepare for and navigate the homebuying process to be-come sustainable homeowners. Through education and understanding of what to expect, homebuyers can get in a home and be successful homeowners over their lifetime. Homebuyer counseling offers one-on-one sessions with a HUD-approved counselor who tailors interactions to the prospective homebuyer’s situation and homeownership needs. Counseling helps prospective homebuyers gain confidence and information needed to take the next step toward buying a home with activities that include budgeting, identifying credit challenges and guidance to improve their credit score, debt reduction strategies and helping to determine afford-ability based on income and debt. Counseling also helps to dispel common myths about obtaining a mortgage loan, like “a 20 percent down payment is required to own a home.” That is not true and holds many homebuyers back from making the step forward and actually applying for a mortgage.

Homebuyer Education continued…

Homebuyer education focuses on the basic concepts of homeownership but is not specific to a transaction. Also provided by a HUD-approved agency, topics covered in these classes include the homebuying process, how to maintain a home and the importance of good credit. Homebuyer education classes can be helpful for aspiring homeowners who have been approved for a loan but need information on better understanding the process to achieve and sustain homeownership. At Wells Fargo we believe in the value homebuyer education and counseling can bring to those seeking homeowner-ship. It’s a significant component of our $60 billion lending commitment to increase African-American homeownership by 2027. In the commitment we pledged to dedicate $15 million to support initiatives for homebuyer education and counseling for African-American families. In our first year, we have provided more than $1.8 million toward this goal in the first year. Wells Fargo also collaborates with a number of agencies to bring homebuyer education and counseling into communities across the country. Here in Washington, D.C., Wells Fargo has been a sponsor of the DC Housing Expo hosted by DC Housing and Community Development and the Greater Washington Urban League for the past eight years. Homebuyer education is a requirement of the NeighborhoodLIFT program, a national collaboration between Wells Fargo and NeighborWorks America that also provides down payment assistance grants. It’s important to us at Wells Fargo that our customers are successful homeowners.

And we believe that homebuyer education and counseling should be components of the homeowner-ship journey, especially for first-time homebuyers.

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Discount Tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore Available Online Thru R&W The R&W provides its members the ability to purchase tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore right at their fingertips.

Discounted admission tickets are available to R&W Members thru the R&W website at www.govemployee.com/nih. Save up to $8.

Camp Fantastic – Special Love, Inc. Children with cancer have to grow up way too fast. They feel different from other children and many miss out on activities that healthy children experience daily. This was the reason Special Love was created. Special Love programs, including Camp Fantastic, offer children with cancer the chance to jump, play, explore, laugh, swim and make friends through a community of support, made up of patients, family, and staff who know and understand the trials and triumphs of battling childhood cancer.

We need your contributions to assist Special Love in their mission.

Be a phantom camper by giving a donation. Enjoy camp without the bugs, sunburn or snoring counselors! Here’s how you can help. $25 provides craft supplies for a camper $75 sends a child to camp for the day $125 feeds a child for a week $200 provides emergency financial relief to a family $250 sends a child to camp for a weekend $400 sends a family to camp for a weekend $500 helps build a scholarship fund $700 sends a child to camp for the week Donations are tax deductible. Make checks payable to the R&W Foundation and send to R&W, Bldg. 31 Rm. 1W08. Together we can make a difference in the life of a child with cancer.

FedAdvantage When it comes to benefits, the biggest challenge you may face is understanding what you have and knowing what you need.

FedAdvantage was founded in 1992 with the purpose of assisting federal employees in understanding their benefits and educating on how to "fill the gaps” present in their benefits. We are experts in federal benefits and use our knowledge to develop insurance programs that make sense and offer peace of mind to federal employees. What we offer: Long Term Disability Insurance designed to "fill the gaps" in your leave and disability retirement benefits, providing peace of mind in knowing you can protect your income through a comprehensive disability insurance program. An accident can happen to anyone, and recovery can be costly. Accident Insurance provides benefits for covered accidental injuries, related services, and treatments. Critical Illness Insurance provides lump-sum payment for a covered illness such as cancer, a heart attack or stroke. Contact Fed Advantage at 866-973-6605, info@fedadvantage.com or visit www.fedadvantage.com.

Join Costco and Start Saving Today Join Costco through the R&W for $55 and receive 3 free items plus over $55 in coupons. You must be an R&W member and signed into the R&W website in order to take advantage of this offer in the Member Discounts section on www.govemployee.com/nih.

22nd Annual Comcast Outdoor Film Festival Benefitting the NIH Charities is August 23rd – 26th. See page 7.

R&W Members, Join TicketsAtWork for Savings on Tickets

R&W Members, Join TicketsAtWork for Savings on Tickets

R&W members can purchase tickets to a variety of amusement parks, concerts, sporting events, movies, and more. Once registered as an R&W member or logged into your account at www.govemployee.com/nih, click on Member Discounts and then click on the TicketsAtWork ad. Upon registering for TicketsAtWork you will have access to a variety of different entertainment options. Whether your loved one is a fan of wrestling or concerts, Broadway or comedy, you’ll find tickets to pretty much anything and even better at a discounted price.

Before purchasing tickets or offers through TicketsAtWork.com make sure to completely read the instructions for how the tickets work and if they are name specific.

Attractions Discounts Across the US

As an R&W member you have the ability to see the biggest blockbusters at a discounted price. Movie Tickets are available to a variety of movie theaters across the country. See summer’s hottest movies like Ant-Man and the Wasp, Skyscraper, The Equalizer 2, Mission Impossible – Fallout and more. Purchase tickets at www.ticketsatwork.com. Save 15% - 45%!

Are You Ready to Rock?

Did you miss out on getting your child, though secretly yourself, Taylor Swift tickets? Want to go “on the run” with Jay-Z and Beyonce? Need a laugh and want to catch Martin Lawrence or Kevin Hart on tour? Want to rock out with Bono and U2 or be told you’re amazing just the way you are by Bruno Mars? Tickets are available to concerts all over the world, even if they’re sold out.

Surprise that special someone in your life and be their Enrique Iglesias by being their hero baby. Discount vary!

Rental Car discounts providers such as Enterprise, Hertz, Dollar and National. Save up to 25%

Did you know that you can purchase tickets to most Sporting Events through TicketsAtWork? Catch the Cubs play at Wrigley Field or the Red Sox play at Fenway, attend the NBA or Stanley Cup Finals, watch the Williams sisters dominate in any tournament. Traveling abroad? How about seeing Manchester United in the English Premiere League or going to the World Cup! You can do any of these and so much more. Discounts vary!

Al-Anon Provides Help for Those Involved with Substance Abuse - Al-Anon, an organization for family members of people with alcohol abuse, now welcomes family members of individuals with narcotic abuse problems to attend weekly group meetings. AlAnon holds two weekly group meetings; Mondays and Thursdays at noon in Bldg. 31, Room 1B50.

R&W members can reserve a hotel stay through TicketsAtWork at over 225,000 hotels around the world. Get advanced booking savings and last-minute deals. Be on the lookout for the Best Rate Guarantee symbol! Save 10% - 60% off their hotel reservation.

Visit the R&W Local Restaurant Guide for local restaurant sponsors. Some offer discounts to NIH employees and some do Fundraisers for R&W. Visit www.govemployee.com/nih.

Visit our website at www.govemployee.com

Maryland Parks and Attractions

Pennsylvania Parks and Attractions

Six Flags America is the Nation's Capital of Thrills featuring

A Day at Dorney offers fun and excitement at 2 Great Parks!

Dorney Park offers an impressive collection of world-class coasters and lineup of family rides, Wildwater Kingdom provides the drenching excitement of the region’s premier water park, and Planet SNOOPY™ delivers great family fun for younger children in a larger-than-life theme park featuring 16 rides designed especially for kids! Save over 35%!

more than 100 exciting rides, games, shows and attractions including Hurricane Harbor waterpark, free with park admission. Get two parks for the price of one! Save over 35%!

Other Maryland Discounts include: Medieval Times

Pennsylvania Parks and Attractions

rides, attractions, and shows, Dutch Wonderland is the perfect place to spend time together as a family. Cool off in Duke's Lagoon water play area and make discoveries at Exploration Island, where dinosaurs come to life!

Since opening on May 20, 1963, Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as a premier family theme park and has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kid’s Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine. Save over25%!

With

From fun rides to family friendly environment such as seeing chocolate made at Chocolate World, viewing over 200 animals in ZooAmerica, and relaxing your cares away at The Boardwalk, Hershey Park has it all. This year Hershey Park adds its 14th coaster, Breakers Edge Water Coaster which smoothly rockets riders through splash-filled hills, tight turns, and sweet thrills that are perfect for the whole family, and Whitecap Racer which is the longest mat racing slide in the world. Save over 20%!

Sesame Place

is a children's theme park, located on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based on the Sesame Street television program. It includes a variety of rides, shows, and water attractions suited to young children. New this year, join Oscar the Grouch for a crazy, curvy taxi ride on our first ever family-friendly wooden roller coaster. Oscar’s Wacky Taxi™ is a one of a kind wooden-steel hybrid roller coaster with a bright yellow, taxi cab inspired train with everyone’s favorite grouch at the helm. Thrill seekers of all sizes will enjoy the exhilarating first drop and plenty of air-time! Save over 30%!

Collective Goods Gift Shows will be returning to Bldg. 10 and Bldg. 31 in September.

See page 12 for details.

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Kennywood Park

is one of the oldest and most beloved amusement parks in America. Founded in 1898, it has thrilled and delighted both young and young-at-heart visitors for more than a century. Featuring a cavalcade of nearly 40 rides from coasters to carousels, Kennywood has always been the park that puts a smile on everybody's face! Kennywood also features dining options offering tasty treats that cannot be found anywhere else.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, Kennywood is the place for unforgettable memories of fun! Save up to 35%!

Other Pennsylvania discounts include: Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, Sand Castle Waterpark, Idlewild & Soakzone, One Liberty Observation Deck, Crayola Experience, Legoland Discovery and Adventure Aquarium

Virginia Parks and Attractions

There is only one way to visit England, France, New France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Scotland all in one day and that’s by visiting Busch Gardens ® Williamsburg where fun is always in season. From thrilling coasters and kid-friendly attractions to world-class shows, there’s something for the whole family. Meet your favorite characters at Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™ or head over to Wolf Haven to learn about wolves. New this year is Battle for Eire, a motion-based theater simulator with state-of-the-art 360-degree virtual reality headsets, creating an innovative experience unlike any other. Riders will be completely immersed within the story and be able to see, hear and feel actions happening all around them, both thru the virtual reality headsets and within the motions of the simulator. Save over 40%!

At Water Country USA®, Virginia's largest water park, visitors can splash and slide the summer away. The park offers fun for the entire family with a retro surf theme, resort-style amenities and more than 25 state-of-the-art water rides and attractions. The park includes refreshing pools, children’s play areas and lazy rivers, offering hours of fun in the summer sun. Water Country USA offers swim lessons and classes to help guests stay safe and feel confident in the water. Save over 45%!

Virginia Parks and Attractions

Ocean Breeze Waterpark

features over 30 slides and attractions guaranteed to make you grin! Located 2 miles south of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with FREE parking, sunscreen and inner tubes! Save up to 25%!

Other Virginia discounts include: Arlington National Cemetery Tour, iFly Indoor Skydiving and more

Washington DC Attractions

The Newseum is dynamic, engaging and interactive, allowing visitors to experience stories thru the eyes of the media while celebrating the freedoms of the 1st Amendment. Enjoy 7 levels of interactive exhibits, 15 exhibition galleries and documentary theaters and the best view of the U.S. Capitol. Save up to 25%!

At Madame Tussauds Washington DC can you meet all 45 U.S. presidents, the world's most fascinating celebrities, influential world leaders, historical figures, and sports icons. Walk the red carpet with Brad Pitt, shake it with Beyoncé and explore the nation’s history with George Washington. Save up to 35%!

Other Washington DC discounts include: International

Kings Dominion has a little bit of everything for everyone.

From live shows and thrill rides to Soak City and Planet Snoopy, Kings Dominion is a perfect family destination. New this year is Twisted Timbers, a wooden coaster with a twist of steel.

This hybrid coaster is the first of its kind in the mid-Atlantic and uses the latest technology to give riders an experience that is impossible on a traditional wooden coaster. Save over 45%!

Spy Museum and more

Visit our website at www.govemployee.com

Visit our website at www.govemployee.com