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Abingdon Abingdon (population about 8,000) is an historic and charming small community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. It has a thriving arts community and far more cultural opportunities than most small towns. It is home to a community college with over 3,000 students, and one of the oldest professional theaters in the country. Vast areas of unspoiled lands with magnificent views and outstanding recreational opportunities surround it. (Click here to view full report)

Charlottesville Charlottesville (population 45,000) is an historic and charming city in the rolling hills of central Virginia not far from the Blue Ridge mountain range. As home to an outstanding public university (University of Virginia), it is culturally rich and offers a great many amenities. (Click here to view full report)

Lexington Lexington (population 7,000) is a college town located in west-central Virginia, due west of Richmond and just two miles west of north-south route Interstate 81. It is an historic community with a rich history and a good number of amenities. The city is surrounded by vast areas of protected land with outstanding opportunities for outdoor activities hiking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, scenic touring, and more. It is home to Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute. (Click here to view full report)

Roanoke Roanoke (population 96,000) is located in the western, mountainous region of the state. It is situated along interstate 81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area offers great scenic beauty and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. The city offers a great number of amenities, including cultural events, entertainment, and outstanding healthcare. It also has a below average cost of living. Roanoke has repeatedly been chosen as an All-American City. (Click here to view full report)

Williamsburg Williamsburg (population 12,000) is located about 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., mid-way between Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia. Steeped in history, it is home to Colonial Williamsburg, a restored colonial village, and The College of William & Mary. It has wonderful charm and a great many amenities. This popular tourist destination is among the 10 fastest growing areas in Virginia. (Click here to view full report)

Find Virginia retirement communities, including active adult communities, independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing care and more.

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Virginia Retirement Communities | Retirement Living

The Board of Pensions and Retirement was charged under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter with the creation and maintenance of an actuarially sound Retirement System providing benefits for all City employees. The Ordinance (Bill No. 907) implementing the present Retirement System was formally approved by City Council on December 1956, and the System became operational effective January 1, 1957. The enactment of Bill No. 907 superseded the Act of Assembly approved May 20, 1915, P.L. 566, under which the Pension Fund had previously been governed.

The Board, as defined in the Home Rule Charter, is composed of the Director of Finance, who serves as chairperson, the Managing Director, the City Solicitor, the Personnel Director, the City Controller and four members who are elected by the Civil Service employees of the City Philadelphia. The elected members serve a four-year term of office.

The 9-member Board formally approves all benefit applications, but its major role is that of 'trustee', to ensure that the Retirement System remains actuarially and financially sound for the benefit of current and future benefits recipients. The Board, with the assistance of its professional consultants, develops the policies and strategies which will enable the Board to successfully execute its fiduciary obligations.

The Executive Director, aided by a staff of 75 personnel, administers the day-to-day activities of the Retirement System, providing services to over 64, 000 members.

Membership

The Public Employees Retirement System provides benefits to police, fire and civilian workers of the City of Philadelphia through the administration of 18 separate plans adopted from 1915 to the present. In addition, the Board of Pensions administers (but does not fund) a pension plan for the employees of quasi-public agencies (the Philadelphia Parking Authority, the Philadelphia Municipal Authority and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.

Originally posted here:
City of Philadelphia: Board of Pensions

Ben Askren will step inside the cage for the last time in November.

The ONE Championship welterweight kingpin will take on former lightweight champion Shinya Aoki at the promotions upcoming event in Singapore on Nov. 24, Evolve MMA founder Chatri Sityodtong announced on his Facebook page.

According to Sityodtong, this will be Askrens last MMA fight before he becomes an executive at ONE.

Aoki (39-7, 1 no-contest) will compete at welterweight for the second time in his career, eight years after losing to Hayato Sakurai at the DREAM welterweight tournament. The Japanese star holds a 5-1 record under the ONE banner.

Askren (17-0) is a former Bellator 170-pound champion with three title defenses inside the ONE cage. Funky's" latest bout took place Saturday in Shanghai, when he dominated and finished Zebaztian Kadestam.

Sityodtong also announced a rematch between strawweight champion Angela Lee and Mei Yamaguchi, who meet again a little over a year after the first bout, a five-round classic that ended with Lee taking the title from the Japanese veteran.

Lee (8-0) has already fought twice in 2017, defending the belt with a pair of finishes against Jenny Huang and Istela Nunes, while Yamaguchi (16-10-1) enters the title bout coming off a second-round submission victory over Huang.

Link:
Ben Askren set to take on Shinya Aoki in retirement fight - MMA Fighting

12:29 AM ET

Adam Schefter

John Keim

Washington Redskins safety Su'a Cravens told some within the organization this weekend that he is planning to retire, but a meeting with the team's coaches and executives has changed his mind for now, according to league sources.

Cravens, 22, who was nursing a knee injury, was put on the team's exempt/left squad list later Sunday. His roster spot was taken by offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings, who was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings.

Cravens must sit out for a month, at which point the Redskins will have to make a decision about his status.

Cravens informed the other defensive backs in a group chat Saturday night that he was going to retire and then exited the session by saying "Peace out," a source said. They were upset with him and what they heard.

Cravens is one of the league's youngest players, a second-round pick last year, and he is struggling with his transition to the NFL. Washington officials want to help him through his issues rather than have him walk away from the game, which would make him one of the youngest NFL players to date to retire.

One person who played with Cravens in the past and considers him a friend said he was not surprised when he heard the news Sunday. He added that you never know if a player loves the game until he faces adversity.

Cravens' only comment came via a post to his Instagram story later Sunday evening that read, "Thank you to those who showed their true colors today. Both positively in support and negatively in misunderstanding and frustration. Either way my response is the same to both groups, I love ya! and thank ya! God Bless."

An article on SI.com this spring stated that Cravens left teammates wondering about his desire when he didn't push through harder with a bruised biceps injury. In training camp, linebacker Will Compton was miked for CSN Washington and was heard prodding Cravens about his motivation for being on the field. Compton told him, "I haven't felt it from you. The last two [practices], you haven't gave me anything."

Compton wanted to know what helped him push through the tough part of camp, and Cravens later told him, "I can't fake it, though."

Washington did not respond to questions about the safety.

"Shocking," Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger said upon hearing the news. "He has to handle what he needs to handle, whether mental or with his family. We're here to support him. That's tough. I'm not in those shoes, so I can't speak on him, so whatever he's dealing with I'm praying for him, and hopefully he'll be back.

"If it's family issues, personal issues, whatever he's dealing with, I'm supportive. Hopefully he'll deal with what he has to deal with and be back out here."

Linebacker Mason Foster said he was surprised by the news.

"Definitely. He's a great player, a great person," Foster said. "People have lives outside of football, and sometimes you have to handle that first. Hopefully he gets that resolved and comes back and helps us win games this year. I'll try to talk to him later on, tell him I'm praying for him, but I'm going straight to the iPad and watching Philly."

"You never know what's in anyone's life, so you make sure that's fine first and foremost before you get back to your job," Redskins cornerback Josh Norman said.

"This game tests your wits in every form, every facet of your body, your mentals. Everything. If you're not ready to come back and play and give it your all, and your heart isn't in it, then you'll seriously go out there and get hurt."

After practice, multiple players said coach Jay Gruden addressed the players about Cravens' situation and said to stay focused on the season opener when discussing it with the media. Gruden did not address the media Sunday but will do so Tuesday.

Several days ago, a source close to Cravens said he was anxious to return from his injury and he was confident he'd be ready for the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The past few weeks, there had been some unease in the building about Cravens' missed time and what the team could expect from him. Indeed, the Washington Post reported that he had been talking to some members of the coaching staff about retiring the past few weeks.

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Su'a Cravens of Washington Redskins, 22, pondered retiring - ESPN

Question: I am 60 and my husband is 56. Does it make more sense for me to begin collecting at 62 instead of waiting until I am 66? I figured I could be collecting for eight years because when I turn 70, he will be 66 and at that time I can collect 1/2 of his which is much more than mine would be at my full retirement age. My math shows it is beneficial but I would like your advice. Also, if I did collect at 62, what is the maximum I can make at my job to continue working?

Answer: So, heres what David Cechanowicz, a senior financial planner with REDW Stanley Financial Advisors, had to say:

The question of when and how to file for Social Security benefits is linked to a host of issues that are unique to each claimant. In your question you gave me a slight glimpse of some of the data, but not enough to give you a definitive answer.

To set the stage, all of the following can have a significant impact on the retirement claiming question.

Health The issue of health and longevity is foundational to answering the question of when should I claim my Social Security retirement benefits. Closely linked are questions that focus on the state of your personal finances, your willingness and or ability to work, and the amount of other assets or sources of income that you might have to supplement your income in retirement. Also, the amount of your own retirement benefit, and the amount of possible spousal and or retirement benefits that you may be entitled to factor into the equation.

Assuming that you were born in 1957, your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months, and your husbands full retirement age is 67. For both of you, claiming early will represent a significant reduction in benefits from those available at full retirement age, or afterword, for those who can wait for delayed retirement credits.

From what you have told us, you will reach your own full retirement age during the year that your husband turns 62. At that time, if he has filed for benefits, you will be eligible for 50% of his primary insurance amount, or the benefit that he will collect when he turns age 67. It is important to note that you will be eligible for half of his full retirement benefit, even if he claims his benefits at age 62. That is because you will have reached your own full retirement benefit at that time. However, if he waits to claim his benefits at his full retirement age, you will not be able to claim a spousal benefit on his work record.

A financial planner that I reached out to suggests that your instinct about claiming early is probably going to be your best choice. Since your husbands earliest retirement age coincides with your own full retirement age, and if you dont run into the earnings test, then you will probably be best off claiming early, especially if he claims early as well.

The earnings test that you asked about is indexed for inflation and will be higher than the number for 2017. For this year, for every two dollars that you earn over $16,920 would require you to give back one dollar of Social Security benefits. Sometimes it will still make sense to be subject to the earnings test for individuals who end up giving back only a small part of their Social Security benefit.

For example, assume a retirement benefit in 2017 of $600 a month and a worker who is between the ages of age 62 and 65. (In other words, working in other than the year that he or she reaches full retirement age. In that year the exempt amount rises to $44,880. Additionally, a worker gives up one dollar of Social Security for every three dollars of income above the exempt amount.) In that case, you could work for the entire year and earn $23,000, and end up still getting Social Security checks for the last six months of the year of approximately $600 a month.

Original post:
Collect Social Security at 62 and spousal at full retirement age? - MarketWatch

Its as if hes a rookie, as opposed to a quarterback who spent the last 11 years in the NFL.

Jay Cutler is once again adjusting to the speed of the game.

With no offseason program or minicamps, hes had to hit the ground running in Miami, coming out of retirement and dumping his plans to be an on-air football analyst to step in for the injured Ryan Tannehill.

Coming from a place youve been for eight years, you kind of know everybody, said Cutler, 34, who spent his first three seasons in Denver and the next eight in Chicago. Theres a new influx of people from year to year, but for the majority, you know everybody.

He said his first few days with the Dolphins were a whirlwind, and that its getting easier and more comfortable by the day.

Of course, Cutler is quite familiar with the offense of coach Adam Gase, who was his offensive coordinator with the Bears in 2015 when the quarterback threw for 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, and had a career-best passer rating of 92.3.

He has the offense down pretty good, Gase said. Hes a quick study.

Its just really knowing what it is and seeing it in your head on paper and then all of the sudden youve got four guys rushing at you or they bring some kind of exotic blitz and the processing speed of all that. And then still trying to figure out the receivers body language or run courses and play-action fakes. Theres a lot of little things that go on just besides saying, Hey Im going to execute this like its on paper.

The Dolphins are looking to finally reshuffle the power structure in a division that has been dominated for so long by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Brady, who turned 40 this summer, is on the verge of all sorts of records. He led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes last season and is tied with Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers with a record four seasons of at least 35 touchdown passes. Four more regular-season victories would move Brady past Manning (186) and Brett Favre (186) for the most in history by a starting quarterback.

Whats more, Brady and Manning are the only two players with 11 seasons of 12 or more wins. One more, and Brady would stand alone.

Hes not getting too far ahead of himself, though. Hes almost annoyed by all the 19-0 talk thats buzzing around the powerhouse Patriots.

This team is so far from where we need to be, and we have so far to go, Brady told WEEI radio in Boston. Its really unfair to set expectations, to me in my mind. Its really a setup, you know?

At the opposite end of the quarterback spectrum are the New York Jets, who have the underwhelming trio of Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. There was much speculation this summer about why the Jets would pass on signing Colin Kaepernick, who is better than any of those three.

In Buffalo, Tyrod Taylor is missing two of his favorite targets, receivers Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods, both of whom are now playing for the Rams. He does have former Philadelphia receiver Jordan Matthews, but he is injured (sternum).

This is a critical juncture for Taylor. The Bills are committed financially to him through this season, and they have the option to pay him a $6-million roster bonus in March to keep him for 2018 at $18.08 million. Or, they could save $14 million by releasing him. His deal was restructured during the offseason and expires after the 2018 season.

Here is a capsulized look at each team in the AFC East in predicted order of finish:

1 | NEW ENGLAND

2016 | 14-2, 1st in East

Last year in playoffs | 2016

Going all the way: With Tom Brady turning 40, the Patriots are clearly loading up for another Super Bowl run. They signed Buffalo corner Stephon Gilmore and traded for New Orleans receiver Brandin Cooks. They re-signed their defensive leader, Donta Hightower, and Super Bowl hero James White. Rob Gronkowski is healthy again. They are rolling.

Theyre doomed: Theyre thin on the defensive line after letting Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long go. Their top draft pick (a third-rounder), defensive end Derek Rivers, is already done for the year because of a torn ACL. They didnt have much of a pass rush last season, but they didnt play many top-notch quarterbacks. This year they face Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Derek Carr

Now hear this: This team is so far from where we need to be. We have so far to go. Its really unfair to set expectations. Tom Brady.

2 | BUFFALO

2016 | 7-9, 3rd in East

Last year in playoffs | 1999

Going all the way: LeSean McCoy looks great in his third training camp with the Bills, and he might be the best running back in the NFL. Hes got a lot of mileage, but hes not breaking down. Buffalos defensive line is intact with Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Jerry Hughes and second-year defensive end Shaq Lawson.

Theyre doomed: They are light on receivers. Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin left via free agency, Sammy Watkins was traded to the Rams and Anquan Boldin retired. The team picked up former Philadelphia receiver Jordan Matthews, but he suffered a chipped sternum in his first practice. It remains to be seen if Tyrod Taylor is the long-term answer at quarterback, and the odds are against him now that hes been stripped of weapons.

Now hear this: This is not a throw-in-the- towel thing at all. You dont know me if you think Im throwing in the towel. Brandon Beane, general manager, on Buffalos big-name talent purge.

3 | MIAMI

2016 | 10-6, 2nd in East

Last year in playoffs | 2016

Going all the way: Quarterback Jay Cutler had the best year of his career when he had Adam Gase as offensive coordinator in Chicago, so that bodes well for the Dolphins. Receiver DeVante Parker had a terrific summer, and this looks like it will be a breakout season for him. Running back Jay Ajayi is coming off a tremendous year. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons should help fortify a porous run defense.

Theyre doomed: Cutler is who hes been over his 11-year career not a proven winner, and a difficult teammate. The offensive line is filled with health questions. The run defense was ranked 30th last season and probably didnt do enough to make dramatic improvements. The Dolphins were 8-2 in one-score games last season, and the law of averages are due to catch up to them.

Now hear this: Those are tough. They wear you down. But that wasnt the sole reason. I mean, they released me, so it was kind of end of the road at that point. Cutler, on all the losing in Chicago.

4 | NEW YORK

2016 | 5-11, 4th in East

Last year in playoffs | 2010

Going all the way: At this point, going all the way for the Jets would mean getting the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. The arrow is going up in a handful of spots, however. The team has some building blocks in defensive lineman Leonard Williams from USC, and rookie defensive backs Jamal Adams (first round) and Marcus Maye (second).

Theyre doomed: The quarterback situation is a disaster with Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, and the situation at wide receiver isnt much better. The Jets cut veterans Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Quincy Enunwa was going to be their No. 1, but he suffered a bulging disk in his neck at the start of camp and is out for the season. So now the top guys are a collection of unknowns from the class of 2016: undrafted free agents Robby Anderson and Jalin Marshall, and Charone Peake, a seventh-round pick.

Now hear this: I really dont have time for a bunch of ... that happened a year ago. Todd Bowles, coach, on Sheldon Richardson criticizing former teammate Brandon Marshall.

sam.farmer@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesfarmer

Read more here:
AFC East preview: Jay Cutler, after coming out of retirement, gets uo to speed in Miami - Los Angeles Times

Chicago Business Journal

Money in America: Baby boomer retirement wave opens up big business opportunities Chicago Business Journal While economists have struggled for decades to determine what challenges will be created by tens of millions of baby boomers reaching retirement age all at once, many businesses have come to view the coming retirement wave as a chance to cater to a ... and more »

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Money in America: Baby boomer retirement wave opens up big business opportunities - Chicago Business Journal

by Wendy Connick for The Motley Fool @CNNMoney September 1, 2017: 9:09 AM ET

Will I have enough income to support myself?

You may be psychologically ready for retirement, but if you're not financially ready, you'll have a pretty miserable retired life. Before taking the final leap, review your retirement savings accounts, your Social Security statement, and any other sources of retirement income you have lined up. Add up your annual sources of income to see how much you'll have coming in each year (for retirement savings accounts, assume you'll be taking 3% to 3 1/2% per year), then compare the resulting total to your current income. If your projected retirement income is significantly lower, ask yourself if you can really get by on that much money without being miserable. If you're not sure whether your projected income is sufficient, use a retirement calculator to add up your likely expenses and compare that number to your projected retirement income.

What will I do with my time?

The more involved you are with your career, the more jarring it will be when you retire and leave that career behind. It's important to come up with something before you retire that will take the place of your career in retirement. Don't assume you'll be fine just hanging around the house catching up on your reading. You might enjoy such a relaxed lifestyle for a few weeks, but many people find that boredom quickly sets in. One way to ease the transition to retired life (assuming your employer agrees) is to switch to a part-time schedule for a while, either right before or during the first part of your retirement. Another option is to look for other activities to fill the void: hobbies, classes, volunteer work, travel, family activities, and so on.

Where will I live?

Your current living situation may or may not work for you in retirement; it's certainly something that you should consider in advance. For example, if you own a big house it may be more home than you really need, and the time and energy that you currently spend on cleaning and upkeep may be more of a commitment than you want to make as you get older. Selling a too-big house and moving into smaller living quarters is also one way to supplement your retirement income. Even if you are currently in good health, you might want to think about moving into an assisted living community. Some of these communities allow you to start out in independent housing and then move you into a higher-care part of the campus if your health deteriorates later. If you do eventually require long-term care, being able to get that care in a familiar living environment can be very reassuring.

Do I understand how my financial life will change in retirement?

Switching over to retired life is pretty jarring for your finances, too. And it's not just a matter of changing over your sources of income and the kinds of expenses you'll incur (although that's certainly a factor too). For example, once you retire you'll no longer have an employer withholding income taxes for you. You'll have to calculate and pay your own income taxes. Most retirees are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS and sometimes to their states as well. You'll also be responsible for calculating and taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your tax-deferred retirement accounts according to the IRS's schedule. And if you have multiple types of accounts -- for example, a tax-deferred IRA, a Roth IRA, and a standard brokerage account -- you'll have to decide how much to take from each account every year to provide the income you need. If you are unsure on any of these points, consider scheduling an appointment with a financial adviser with experience in retiree income.

Other factors

Entering retirement also comes with some significant one-time decisions that may be irrevocable. For example, you'll have to decide whether to claim Social Security benefits early, at full retirement age, or late. This decision will affect your entire retirement, because the date at which you choose to claim Social Security benefits will determine how much you get in your benefits checks as long as you live. You'll also have to decide whether to choose original Medicare (possibly with a Medigap plan) or to go with Medicare Advantage.

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Start researching and thinking about these decisions well in advance, so that you are totally prepared when the time comes to make them. The more you know about the possibilities, the wiser your final decision is likely to be.

CNNMoney (New York) First published September 1, 2017: 9:09 AM ET

The rest is here:
4 questions to ask yourself before retiring - CNNMoney

MOULTON The retirement last week of Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy Barry Johnson was bittersweet for a sheriff who already is struggling with a shortage of deputies.

Sheriff Gene Mitchell said Johnson, a deputy for the past 15 years, had been counting down the days.

He told me last year he would be retiring, Mitchell said. Barry was steady, and we all hated to see him go. If he gets tired of retirement and wants to come back part time, my door will be open.

He said Johnson was a patrol officer and served warrants.

Replacing Johnson will be a challenge, Mitchell said.

I dont know if it will be tomorrow or in two months, he said of hiring a replacement. If I hire someone without experience, they have to go to the (police) academy. Thats dead money youre paying until they complete school and can get on the road. If an experienced officer walks in the door tomorrow and his background is clear, I can start the paperwork, but that doesnt happen very often.

Mitchell said when International Paper shuttered in 2014, the county was forced to make drastic cuts. He said his department was probably the last to be affected, but he was forced to lay off a deputy in 2016.

At full strength, the sheriffs office employs 11 deputies, not counting jailers and investigators. He said some experienced officers look for work in other counties because of the fear of getting laid off.

Were behind the eight ball right now because we have three officers out for medical reasons and Barrys retirement, Mitchell said.

Deputy Ashley Bowling remains off the job while he recovers from a head injury he suffered while responding to a standoff Oct. 16. He was hit with a boulder by Demetrae Griffin of Moulton, Mitchell said.

Deputy David Crittenden was injured in February dealing with three juvenile burglary suspects in the Langtown community.

If Moulton (police) had not responded as backup, it would have been much worse, Mitchell said. Not having enough personnel like in this case is dangerous, and we will get people hurt.

The third deputy, Jeff Culp, is out following a non-work-related surgery, the sheriff said.

Mitchell said starting pay for inexperienced deputies is usually between $12 and $13 an hour. He said more experienced deputies, like Johnson, make about $18 per hour.

County Clerk Donna Llewellyn said the sheriff offices budget for fiscal 2017 is $2,121,191.

Hes used about 90 percent of his budget with a month to go, she said. Hell probably go over; thats not unusual.

Llewellyn and Mitchell agreed overtime pay chews through the budget.

If we get a call, we have to respond, Mitchell said. We pull a deputy in and pay him overtime. I simply dont have the staff to avoid it.

He said sometimes he is forced to put investigators on the road as deputies.

Llewellyn said the county commissions first budget work session is 10 a.m. Wednesday. If we get another cut from (the Tennessee Valley Authority), we may have to make more cuts, she said.

TVAs in-lieu-of-tax payments have decreased across the board in recent years, TVA officials said in December.

According to TVA records, Lawrence Countys portion of TVA tax-equivalent money for fiscal 2017 is $1,340,449. In fiscal 2016, the county received $1,849,064.

The fiscal 2017 estimated total is 49.2 percent of the $2,723,318 the county received in fiscal 2011, according to the TVA.

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Retirement, 3 medical cases leave sheriff short of staff - Times Daily

VALDOSTA Learning in Retirement is counting down the days till the start of another season of meeting the educational, physical, intellectual and social needs of Valdosta State Universitys friends and neighbors.

A member-led and VSU-sponsored organization, Learning in Retirement kicked off during fall semester 2017 with a rock-n-roll themed luncheon Aug. 22 in the Regional Center for Continuing Education Auditorium. People were encouraged to come dressed in attire inspired by their favorite musical era and spent part of the occasion painting rocks for the Valdosta Rocks project.

Men and women, 50 years old and older, have 91 opportunities to learn during the Learning in Retirement fall semester 2017, which features a course lineup full of trips and tours, book reviews, topics that are simply good to know, special events and classes in the areas of health and fitness, computers and technology, fine arts, leisure, history, social studies and science, according to an organizational press release.

The first classes are scheduled to meet Aug. 28, with classes continuing through Dec. 15.

Membership costs $75 per person per semester fall and spring and allows members to participate in as many Learning in Retirement courses as they desire. Yearly memberships are available at a reduced rate. A few courses and special activities require an additional fee, which is always noted in advance in the course catalog.

VSUs Regional Center for Continuing Education is located at 903 N. Patterson St.

Contact Suzanne Ewing, Learning in Retirement program coordinator, at (229) 245-6484 or sewing@valdosta.edu to learn more.

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Learning in Retirement back in business - Valdosta Daily Times