New Tax Forms Coming Your Way

Many County employees can expect a special delivery to their home mailbox early next year: important new tax filing forms. These documents may be needed to file your 2015 income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.

Information on the forms is used by the IRS to administer the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care law. The forms also serve as proof of compliance with the law for both employees and employers.

What You Need to Know

You may receive one or more of three new tax forms around the same time you receive your Form W-2.

You will receive a Form 1095-C from the County if you worked full time (30 or more hours per week for at least one month in 2015).

In addition, if you elected medical coverage, either through the County, through a spouse’s employer, or on your own, you will receive Form 1095-B directly from the insurance carrier.

These forms will be mailed no later than Feb. 1, 2016.

Why This Is Important

Whether you do your own taxes or have the help of a CPA, these forms may be needed to file your 2015 income taxes. Please save them and have them ready.

Learn more about the 1095 forms and what to expect.

Throwback Thursday: Test Trailer

A note on this 1932 photo says that the trailer pictured was used by the Department of Weights & Measures for testing heavy-duty truck scales. The trailer is recorded as weighing 6,000 pounds! 

CSG Raises Most Money in Battle of Bands Benefit

The results are in! The Community Services Group has won the fundraising trophy for collecting the most money for the March of Dimes during the Battle of the Bands campaign.

The small but mighty group raised $1,277 for the non-profit, which funds research and programs and works to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. 

Along with the four other groups, the County collected $3,280 for the cause. The event was part of the County’s year-long goal of raising $80,000 for the local chapter. You can still give by contacting your group staff officer: CSG – Janice Downs, FG3 – Carl Smith, HHSA – Christi Knight, LUEG – Conor McGee, and PSG – Marc Regier.

In case you missed it, the rocking event had a second champion. Land Use & Environment Group’s band won the best performance trophy by applause when the competitors took the stage at the County Operations Center on Nov. 20. The group was represented by Steal Dawn, which has two County employees—Admin Analysts Jerry Schoen, from Parks and Recreation, and Phil Varela, from HHSA. They performed Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance” and in the final round a mashup of Flo Rida, Tone-Loc and Sir Mix-A-Lot.

Miss the live showdown? Watch the performances.

A Few Favorite Things

Have you finished your shopping yet? Won’t start for a couple weeks?

It seems so much during the holidays revolves around all the giving and getting. And no doubt, stuff can be nice. 

But as the Grinch learned and we all know, what really makes the holidays memorable is the time together with friends and family. Getting to know each other a little better is what brings us closer.

So I wanted to take a little inspiration from the My Favorite Things shows Oprah used to do during the holidays. But I didn’t want to just rattle off a bunch of items as gift ideas.

I’m more interested in finding out a few favorites from some of the people you and I work with. It’s just nice to learn more about them by letting them share the things they enjoy. Maybe some of the things will in fact wind up sparking an idea for a present. Some, like watching a sunset, you can’t put in a box – and they don’t cost a dime.

I’ll chime in, but let’s hear first from several department heads on their favorite things.    

Michael Vu, Registrar of Voters

Favorite movie, this year: "The Martian" – best since "Braveheart!"

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Without kids it would be Pacific Coast Grill.  With kids it would probably be Sammy’s.

Favorite album, all time: "Tracy Chapman," Tracy Chapman

Favorite book, all time: "No Ordinary Time," Doris Kearns Goodwin

Favorite place to watch sunset:  Ponto Beach, Carlsbad

Favorite County park: Lake Morena

Favorite charity: Make-A-Wish Foundation

Favorite sports team: University of Utah Football.  Go Utes!!!

Favorite way to spend day off: Soccer with the boys, beach, movie

Favorite magazine:  They still produce magazines? Runner’s World

Favorite radio station: Spotify…My own playlist

Favorite TV show: "The Good Wife" or "Suits" - it’s a toss-up. They are so well-scripted.

(Note from Helen here. Michael, this must be the only toss-up the Registrar likes!)

GizmoPalSusan Brazeau, Human Resources Director

Favorite TV show: "Impractical Jokers" 

Favorite tech gadget: GizmoPal

Favorite place to watch sunset: Carlsbad Beach

Favorite sports team:  Michigan State Spartans

Favorite way to spend day off: Walk at the beach with my daughter and BFF

Favorite radio station:  92.5

Favorite websites: Amazon

Heritage ParkEbony Shelton, Director, Office of Financial Planning

Favorite movie: Best movie ever “Labyrinth” with David Bowie. I never watch movies twice. I’ve seen this one about 100 times. J

Favorite album: Jill Scott “Who is Jill Scott”

Favorite book, this year: “Minutes to Kill,” Scarlet Falls

Favorite County park: Heritage Park. I got married there in November of 2000

Favorite tech gadget – Kindle Fire

Favorite way to spend day off: My perfect Saturday includes: Reformer Pilates, Starbucks and lounging by the pool (in that exact order).

Favorite magazine: Harvard Business Review

Favorite flower: Orchid (a new hobby I picked up about a year ago)

Favorite doughnut: Anything with pink frosting

Rhodesian ridgeback (not Chuck's)Chuck Matthews, Deputy Director, Health and Human Services Agency, North Inland and North Coastal Regions

Favorite charity: Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue (My family fosters Ridgeback shelter dogs in our home)

Favorite radio station: Pandora: "Sunday Funday Brunch Radio" station (on any day)  

Favorite daily drink: Trenta Green Iced Tea Unsweetened 

Favorite movies: The entire Bourne Series (Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum and Legacy)

Favorite place for sunset: Brief time: Crossing west on Coronado Bridge. More time: End of Santa Cruz Ave. in Ocean Beach

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Parma Cucina Italiana in Hillcrest

Favorite TV show: "Big Bang Theory"

Favorite Book:  "Oh, the Places You'll Go," Dr. Suess

Favorite Sports Teams:  Die-hard Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. "Wait till next year!"

Jose Aponte, County Library Director

Favorite sports team: University of Arizona basketball

Favorite way to spend day off: Cycling the coast 3-4 hours

Favorite movie, all time: "The Fog of War"

Last Week Tonight with John OliverFavorite TV show: "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver"

Favorite album: Flaco Jiménez & Max Baca Perform Best Of The Conjunto

Favorite book, this year: "In the Kingdom of Ice," Hampton Sides

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Indigo Grill

Favorite place to watch sunset: Swami’s, Encinitas  

Favorite County park: Sweetwater Reservoir

Favorite tech gadget: Garmin Forerunner

Favorite charity: Habitat for Humanity

Ha Dang, Agriculture, Weights and Measures Director

Favorite TV show: "Everybody Loves Raymond"

Favorite place to watch sunset: Mission Bay

Favorite book, all time: "Walden," Henry David Thoreau

Favorite way to spend day off: Hang out with family, gardening

Favorite websites: PBS Nova, Nature

Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving

 Sunset at Mission Bay

Glenn Wagner, Medical Examiner

Favorite way to spend day off: Working with my search and rescue K-9s

Favorite magazine: Bon Appetit

Favorite charity: Cancer Society

Favorite sports team: Chargers (most of the time)

Favorite movie, current: "James Bond: Spectre"

Favorite album: "Sinatra: Nothing but the Best (2008)," Frank Sinatra

Favorite book, current: Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault that changed a Presidency" (I was personally involved in that investigation)

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Fillippi’s in Little Italy

Favorite radio station: Sirius, Blend and Pulse formats

Favorite TV show: NCIS series

OK, good lists. I know I had a few “Who knew?” moments. Here are mine:

Favorite movie, this year: "Bridge of Spies"

Favorite TV show: "Shark Tank"

Favorite album, all time: "Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen

Favorite book, all time: "Pillars of the Earth," Ken Follett

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Brooklyn Girl

Favorite place to watch sunset:  La Jolla Cove

Favorite County park: Waterfront Park, of course!

Favorite tech gadget:  GoPro

Favorite charity: CECO

Favorite sports team: Oregon Ducks Football

Favorite way to spend day off: Beach

Favorite magazine: Economist

Favorite radio station: Sirius

Favorite website: Politico

Now my main point here was just to have a little fun. But there is a little message you can take away, too.

Every one of us in the County would come up with a different list. We all have different things that make us tick, and they give us each different perspectives. That goes right to the heart of the Diversity & Inclusion initiative we kicked off recently. It starts with the desire to learn about and from each other. Maybe something as simple as a favorite TV show or restaurant. With time, more about someone’s background and life experiences. The more we know, the stronger we’ll be as a team.

Your dedication to excellent service all year long is the best gift I could ever wish for. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you’ll have many chances over the next few weeks to share good times with co-workers, friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

See more InTouch columns, including last month's Thank You from the Boss (That's Not Me!)

Online Shoppers: Smile and Say CECO

We’ve got a holiday shopping tip that will really make you smile. Shop AmazonSmile and a portion of your purchase will be donated to the San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO).

AmazonSmile functions the same as Amazon, but the online retailer donates 0.5 percent of the product price of eligible purchases to a charity of your choice. It is almost guilt-free shopping!

This deal is good whether you are shopping in your pj’s on Black Friday, from your phone on Cyber Monday or any other day of the year. You could be shopping for a white elephant gift for your office’s holiday party, that sought-after Star Wars toy for your children or new slippers for grandma.

Using AmazonSmile is easy.

1. Go to smile.amazon.com (different from the regular Amazon link).

2. Sign in to your Amazon account or create one.

3. If it is your first visit, pick your own charitable organization. Type “San Diego County Employees' Charitable Organization” or “CECO” as your charity.

4. Shop as you normally would! (You will see eligible products marked as “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on product detail pages.

5. Bonus tip: Save the AmazonSmile link as a favorite and always shop from there.

There are several other ways to support CECO throughout the year. Make a biweekly donation via payroll deductions for as little as $2 per pay period. See CECO pledge instructions. Or you could make a one-time donation by contacting your CECO Department Representative or a member of the CECO Executive Committee.

Rock On: Watch Battle of Bands Music Videos

There is still time to support the County’s Battle of the Bands benefit for the March of Dimes. Fundraising continues through Wednesday and video clips of the live event are now available for your eyes and ears.

Based on crowd response, Land Use & Environmental Group’s band rocked the hardest on Friday at the COC. The group was represented by Steal Dawn, which has two County employees—Admin Analysts Jerry Schoen, from Parks and Recreation, and Phil Varela, from HHSA.

The band, which has played rock & roll in San Diego for the past 14 years, won by applause. However, another competition continues in the Battle—the fight for the largest amount of money raised for March of Dimes. (The groups’ ranking will be based on dollars raised compared to the number of employees working for each group.) So represent your group now through Wednesday, Nov. 25. Donate on the official website now! Or donate to your favorite performers; watch the clips below.

Finance and General  Government’s Arnold De Guzman

Health and Human Services Agency’s Posse Café

Land Use and Environmental Group’s Steal Dawn

And Steal Dawn's second song in the finals of the Battle of the Band

Public Safety Group’s Unpaved Highway

Community Services Group's Dona & the Servicemen

Dona & the Servicemen's second song in the finals of Battle of the Bands

Donate $15 to CECO and Get Thanksgiving Pie

Donating to San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) is as easy as pie. And for a limited time, you could get one*. Make a one-time $15 donation to CECO and receive a delicious Marie Callender's pie. Deadline to order is Friday, Nov. 20. 

This deal is just in time for Thanksgiving. Pies will be available for pick up in Bayside Room 1 at the CAC from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24—just two days before Turkey Day. Plus, we won’t judge if you try to play off the pie as your own homemade dessert.

Flavor options are: apple, French apple (with a crumbly cinnamon topping), boysenberry, cherry, peach, pumpkin or razzleberry (raspberry, blackberry and apple.)

If you are interested in ordering, please email sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov. Payments can be dropped off at the CECO Bake Sale at the CAC from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20. Cash or checks made payable to CECO will be accepted.

Learn more about CECO and other ways to get involved on InSite.

*Note: CECO will need a minimum order of 35 pies total to offer this promotion. A portion of the $15 donation will benefit CECO.

Get Ready to Rock at Battle of the Bands

You knew your fellow coworkers were talented, but did you know they could rock for a cause?

Four bands, each with at least one County employee, and one solo act will compete in a free benefit concert this Friday—the Battle of the Bands! The live showdown is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that funds research and programs to improve the health of mothers and babies.

This friendly competition pits each of the County groups against each other for musical supremacy. Who will triumph? The creative Community Services Group, folksy Finance and General Government Group, harmonious Health and Human Services Agency, lyrical Land Use & Environment Group, or the powerful Public Safety Group?

Represent your group and donate on the official website now! Fundraising continues through Nov. 25. Supporters can also donate cash at the event.

Awards will be presented to the act that raises the most money for the non-profit organization and to the crowd favorite. It could be one and the same.

The performers will take the big stage at the COC Nov. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Read more about each of the bands and watch clips of them “warming up” for the show.

Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest Winner Crowned

Staff Development Coordinator Virginia Exner won the Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest with her Totally Scrumptious Turtle Cheesecake.

It’s time to take out the roasting pan, dust off the extra table settings and get that guest list ready. Thanksgiving and the winter holidays will be here before you know it. And lucky for you, we’ve got a Pinterest-worthy recipe to delight friends and family at office and dinner parties this joyful season.

Employee Wellness crowned a winner in the Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest earlier this week.  Numerous employees entered the annual competition. And on Wednesday, eight finalists tied on aprons to throw down in the kitchen.

Staff Development Coordinator Virginia Exner won with her Totally Scrumptious Turtle Cheesecake, which is delectable and healthy. She created a creamy cheesecake with ingredients that won’t tip the scale. It has just 203 calories per serving.

Exner knows her way around a kitchen. Her garden fresh recipe was the cream of the crop in the Summer Slam Salad Cook-Off Contest at the County Operations Center in June.

The Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest finalists were Kelly Aguilera with ARCC, Marcia Donnelly with Child Welfare Services, Deborah Dyar with Housing and Community Development Services, Sean Hoban with HHSA, Candie James with HHSA, Natalka Lysak with General Services, and Laura Terry with Probation. 

Happy Holidays! Don’t forget to Maintain, Don’t Gain.

Totally Scrumptious Turtle Cheesecake

Makes 8 servings

Prep: 25 minutes     

Cook: 45 minutes

Ingredients

Cheesecake

• 16 oz. fat-free cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 cup granulated white sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 6 oz. (about 3/4 cup) fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt, room temperature

• 1/2 cup liquid egg whites (about 4 egg whites), room temperature

• 2 tbsp. lemon juice, room temperature

• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Topping

• 1 sheet (4 crackers) chocolate graham crackers, crushed

• 1/4 cup fat-free or light caramel dip

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray.

3. Combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. With an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Continue to beat while gradually adding yogurt, egg whites, lemon juice, and flour. Beat until thoroughly mixed, about 2 minutes.

5. Evenly pour mixture into the cake pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

6. Bake until firm, 40 to 45 minutes.

7. Let cool completely. Evenly top with crushed graham crackers. Drizzle with caramel dip and sprinkle with pecans.

8. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Release springform, slice, and dig in!

Painting with Pride

Angeli Cabal, an HHSA Community Health Promotion office assistant, spent many hours working on her “Bloom where you are planted” utility box art-work at the corner of Magnolia and Avocado in El Cajon

Anyone driving by the corner of Magnolia and Avocado in El Cajon who notices the freshly painted utility box will see a little bit of Angeli Cabal’s heart and soul on display for the community to enjoy.

Cabal, an HHSA Community Health Promotion office assistant in El Cajon, realized a lifelong dream when she was selected as one of six local artists to participate in the project to add more artwork to downtown El Cajon.

“Ever since I was younger, I wanted to paint a utility box,” Cabal said. “I’ve always done art as a hobby, and when I would walk home from school I always wanted to paint a utility box.”

She’d have to wait until she was an adult to make it happen, though. As a youth, she researched what it would take to paint one of the boxes and found out it was a long approval process that had to go through the proper government channels.

But fast forward to the present and Cabal leapt at the chance to submit a design to the El Cajon Resident Leaders in Action, which made adding new utility box paintings a project to encourage civic engagement and support the art community. Members of the Resident Leaders in Action are graduates of HHSA’s Resident Leadership Academy. 

Cabal said she chose her design centered on the quote, “Bloom where you are planted,” to tie into the El Cajon Farmers Market.

“They wanted a design that emphasized the farmers market because the location is close to the market,” she said. “The artwork emphasizes community building. El Cajon is up-and-coming and I wanted to encapsulate that.”

Painting the box took a couple of months with a break in between. Cabal would go for a few hours after work and made steady progress.

“My co-workers on the community health promotions team helped paint the base. It was a great team-building exercise.”

The art-work was unveiled during a community art walk held on Food Day recently. Cabal’s regional general manager Marie Brown-Mercadel and several co-workers joined her on the walk to see her design.

The project was funded by grants from SDG&E with additional funds from community members and art supporters. HHSA, the San Diego Foundation and the El Cajon Collaborative provided support for the project.

“It was a really great experience,” Cabal said. “I feel grateful and lucky to have been chosen. To know that people drive by and walk by it every day is pretty amazing.”