In Brief

Traveling Safety Show to Come to TSRI
The TSRI Operational Safety Committee is once again hosting its annual Traveling Safety Show. This year's show will be held on Wednesday January 23 from 9:30 am until noon in the Immunology galleria. A variety of vendors will be present to display the latest in ergonomically sound laboratory and office equipment and furniture, safety glasses, gloves, and much more. Representatives from Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Services, and Human Resources will also be available to provide information on general safety, work accident information, and new safety programs. 24 Hour Fitness and Relief Unlimited will be providing membership information and massage sign-ups. Lastly, Zenith Insurance and Sharp Rees Stealey will be available for counseling on injury prevention and treatment. Refreshments and other free goodies will be there for all attendees! For further information, contact Tom Barmeyer, x4-2245.

Toastmasters Elect New Officers
Nominations for officers for the Scripps Outstanding Speakers (SOS) Toastmasters for the six-month term beginning January, 2002 were held in November and voted on in December. The results are as follows: president, Astrid Visser; vice president, education, Andrea Starrett; vice president, membership, Arul Joseph; vice president, public relations, Michelle Roberts; secretary, Kathy Sterling; treasurer, Iris Ben-Efraim; co-sergeant-at-arms, Kathy Spencer and Ali Alavizadeh; and immediate past president, Valerie Moreau. The SOS Toastmaster club meets the first three Mondays of the month at 1 PM in the Ellen Browning Scripps Conference Room on the fourth floor of the Beckman Building, across from the Kresge Library entrance. All employees are welcome to attend and see how this organization can help improve one's speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Feel free to contact any of the officers for more details.

Changes in Retirement Plan Delayed by State
Previously, it was announced that the federal government had passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), which included changes in the law designed to allow employees to save more for retirement. The law went into effect at the beginning of the year on the federal level.

Several states, California included, have not yet adopted this legislation, conforming state tax law to these changes. The concern in California is that these changes will adversely impact their revenues.

Assuming California does not comply with federal law before the end of the year, increasing the benefits or making other changes to conform to the new law could have catastrophic effects on TSRI's retirement plan—up to and including plan disqualification for state purposes.

Therefore, TSRI has decided to delay implementation of the new EGTRRA changes until such time that they have been adopted by the California State Legislature.

What this means to you is:

1. The Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan 403(b) maximum remains at 20 percent of your income or $10,500.00 whichever is less.

2. No catch-up contributions will be allowed for participants age 50 and older.

3. No rollovers will be facilitated between plans of different internal revenue codes i.e. 403(b), 401a) 457(b).

In the meantime, Human Resources will continue to keep you informed of any progress towards the implementation of these new tax laws by the state.

Sewer Construction to Close Gilman Drive for 6 Months
Beginning on January 22, 2002, Southbound Gilman Drive between Villa La Jolla and Interstate 5 will be closed by the City of San Diego in order to facilitate the installation of a new 24-inch diameter sewer pipeline to replace the existing 15-inch diameter pipeline, which was installed in 1958.

Northbound traffic will not be affected, nor will bicycle access in either direction. The closure will remain in effect for approximately 6 months.

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