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Current Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ employees are invited to join the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Retirement Association (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA) in time for the annual membership meeting May 23. The meeting features an exhibit of art by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA members and a rare piano performance by Béla Síki, professor emeritus of music, internationally renowned concert pianist and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA board member.

Exhibition and reception begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Meany Studio Theatre lobby. The meeting starts at 2:30 p.m. in the studio theatre, with a welcome from Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ President Richard L. McCormick and recognition of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA board members, followed by the piano program.

Why should a current employee join the retirement association? Benefits include programs that offer assistance with retirement transition and planning, as well as estate planning, according to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA director Pat Dougherty. “Active employees also gain from informal friendships and role modeling among their senior peers,â€� she said.

Maybe the biggest advantage of membership, however, is getting admission priority at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA-affiliated retirement communities — not just for the member but for his or her parents, stepparents, parents-in-law and stepparents-in-law. Members pay no entrance fee at these communities, while their eligible relatives pay half. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA currently has two retirement communities — both called University House — one in Wallingford and one in Issaquah.

“Because we recognize that active employees may not have as much time to attend Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA programs as retirees, we charge them $20 a year for membership, compared to $30 for retirees,â€� Dougherty says.

At the annual meeting, Síki is offering his performance in support of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA. Because seating is limited, attendance is reserved for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA members and their guests. Guests are asked to pay $10.

Síki will perform Beethoven’s Sonata in D major, op. 28, “Pastoral,� two mazurkas by Chopin (Mazurka in C sharp minor, op. 30, No. 4 and Mazurka in C sharp minor, op. 50, No. 3), and Liszt’s Sonetto del Petrarca No. 123, Legend, St. Francis walking over the waves.

For more information call the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA office at 206-543-8600, or go to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRA Web page, , and click on membership.