KL American December 2016 & January 2017 Publication

PP 4353/05/2013 (033269)

Dec2016/Jan2017

KL

american

A Publication of the American Association of Malaysia KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

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Good guides can help before you go Make sure you’ve got the local knowledge to settle in more quickly.

Go knowing

www.crownrelo.com.my 2

KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

Crown service offerings include: • • • • • •

International & Domestic Shipments Transit Protection Immigration & Legalization School Search Settling-in Services Intercultural Support

Tel: +60 3 5636 9166 kualalumpur@crownrelo.com

Contents AAM Dec 2016/Jan 2017 Advertisers Index Advertisers

(A-Z)

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President’s Message

Page

Asian Tigers Transpo

Back Cover

Brolly

p.14

Crown Relocations

Inside Front Cover

Eastern Carpets

p.18

Hop On / Hop Off

p.19

Tan & Tan

Inside Back Cover

EVA Air

p.9

The Expat

p.23

RSDHC

p.19, 25 & 26

Tropicana Medical Centre

p.15

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Membership

Weekly/Monthly Activities

7 10 – 13

December Activities Community Services

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Featured Article

20 – 22 23 24

AAM Messages

AAM Community Bulletin Board

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AAM Calendar / December

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Merry Christmas

Memories

AAM Calendar / January

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President’s Message December already! 2016 has almost come to an end.

Hard to believe!

We held a very successful Christmas Charity Bazaar and I hope our members had an opportunity to not only volunteer alongside other members but also had the opportunity to get in some shopping. I’m sure you found some treasures that will make great gifts, either for yourself or for others. We had a great turn-out for our event and I invite you to see the pages inside for some fun photos. Once we have completed the accounting of our income and expenses from the event, we will be sure to let you know how much was raised and when our Charity Check presentation will take place.

We officially closed the office on 30 November and will now be solely operating the American Association from our homes. We will no longer have a phone number for members to call so please email us at klamerican.info@gmail.com if there is any way we can help you or if you have any questions.

Board of Directors President Peggy Uptigrove President.aam@gmail.com Vice President Ann Blacklock FirstVP.aam@gmail.com Secretary Brenda Miller Secretary1.aam@gmail.com Treasurer Lesia Puri Treasurer.aam@gmail.com

Membership renewal will be taking place in the first 30 days of the New Year so be watching for notices from our Membership Director.

Publications Director VACANT Editor.KLAmerican@gmail.com

As we head in to the first quarter of the New Year we will be seeking nominations for several key positions on the Board of Directors so please read on for details about that.

The American Association of Malaysia has been in operation for 33 years now and we are hopeful that we can continue with the election of a new board. I want to Thank all our members for their support, both in the past, and in the future.

Major Events Director VACANT Majoreventsdir.aam@gmail.com

We are also heading into a busy travel season for our members and their families and I want to wish you all safe travels and a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Peggy Uptigrove President

Corporate Partners For 2016

Event Sponsors for 2016

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Membership Director Wendy Frazer Membershipdirector.aam@gmail.com

Liaison Directors American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Chua ISKL Hilda Alposilva US Embassy Alyssa Calabrese Kelli Baker

Membership

KL

American Magazine Team

Editor VACANT Photo Editors Judy Pescio Contributors Debz Rafferty Proof Reader Samantha Urlwin Editorial Support Peggy Uptigrove Designer Yap Wai Kuan Advertising Sales Tel: (03) 2161-9008 / 9009 Printer Seng Hoe Printing Process 33, Jalan Hang Tuah 2 Taman Salak Selatan 57100 Kuala Lumpur Tel/Fax: (03) 8941-7603 Publisher American Association of Malaysia

HELLO AAM MEMBERS As 2016 ends, I want to thank everyone for making the AAM great! We look forward to an exciting 2017 with many fun and exciting opportunities for our members.

As we move forward into the New Year, I would like to remind everyone of our changing membership renewal. Starting January 2017, all memberships will be up for renewal and will be renewed annually thereafter. An email will be sent out in December with all the options for January renewal. Deadline for renewal will be 31st January. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns. I look forward to seeing you at one of our many upcoming events!

Wendy Frazer Membership Director

The KLAmerican is published 10 times per year. The deadline for inclusion is at least six weeks prior to publication, which is the 1st of the month.

Advertising for non-profit organizations is free-of-charge on a space-available basis.

The magazine staff reserves the right to edit copy for clarity, brevity, and accuracy.

Information on AAM members is not to be used commercially.

Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission, is strictly prohibited.

“Selamat Datang ke AAM!� to our new members for October: Nanne, Jill & Frank

American Association of Malaysia Suite 301 MBE Avenue K Lot UC-3A, Avenue K Shopping Mall 156 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia E-mail: klamerican.info@gmail.com Website: www.klamerican.com KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

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Weekly Activities MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

NOTE: The Mahjong group will now be meeting off-site. Please contact Jody Morris at jodymo32@icloud.com or 011 2324 3564 for information on where they will be meeting.

NOTE: The Stitching Friends group will now be meeting off-site.

Please contact Jeanie Kennedy at aamsewing@gmail.com for information on where they will be meeting. Be sure to put ‘Stitching Friends’ in the subject line.

Mahjong 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Members Free / Non-Members are welcome for a nominal fee (The first two visits are complimentary)

Stitching Friends 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Members FREE / Non-Members RM10 donation (The first two visits are complimentary.)

Monthly Activities Friday, 2 December 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Harrods Cafe / KLCC Ground Floor, Suria KLCC (Across from Melur & Thyme) Cost: Individual

Friday Coffee

After trying several different places for our monthly First Friday coffee gathering, we can all agree that Harrods Café seems to be the best location. Centrally located for most members, easy to get to for those in outlying areas taking the train into KLCC, we will keep our monthly gatherings at this location.

They serve a good selection of breakfast items, including pastries, omelets and much more. Excellent cup of coffee too!

Newcomers are welcome to join us here to connect to others that are new in the area and hopefully connect you to our Association and all the great things we do here at the AAM. Everybody welcome.

RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com (not required but would be nice to know how many to expect).

Tuesday, 6 December There will be NO BINGO in January 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

St. Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly Taman Sri Bahtera, Batu Lima Cheras Tel: (03) 9131-1464 Wednesday, 7 December There will be NO Gentlemen’s Night Out in January 6:00 p.m. onwards TAPAS Beer Bar / 1 Jalan Nagasari

Bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor Join our monthly bingo game to help spread the joy at this home for the elderly! We will bring prizes for the winners. The bingo morning is one of the highlights of the month for the residents.

Please email klamerican.info@gmail.com if you can join us or would like more information.

Gentlemen’s Night Out Calling all Gentlemen!

For many of us getting out and socializing with other men folk can be difficult, with working all week and weekends reserved for family. Well, no more! There will be a ‘Gentlemen’s Night Out’ every first Wednesday of the month in the popular Changkat Bukit Bintang area. The format is entirely informal with the chance to sample some craft beers and great grub - and plenty of scope to move onto play some pool, darts or even just talk on manly matters!

See you there! Stan RSVP: Useful but not needed. Email: drstanbrook@hotmail.com

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December Activities Christmas Lunch with Canadian Association Sunday, 11 December 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The Park Royal Hotel / Jalan Sultan Ismail Cost: Members RM100 adults / RM60 children (ages 4-11) – Non-Members add RM10 to ticket prices

Christmas Lunch Bunch at Tatto Tuesday, 13 December 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tatto Restaurant Hampshire Place, Persiaran Hampshire Cost: Individual

Join the American Association and the Canadian Association as we celebrate Christmas with a family lunch buffet complete with roasted turkey, beef and all the trimmings. There will be raffle drawings, games and activities for the kids and a surprise visit from Jolly St. Nick. Parents that are bringing children are asked to bring one wrapped toy per child in their family and please mark the age group and whether for a boy or girl. Santa will load his sack with toys before making his entrance!

MUST RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com by 6 December.

SUNDAY • 11 DECEMBER 2016 • 11:30AM TO 2:30PM

CAM/AAM presents

Join us for Christmas lunch buffet including carved roast turkey and beef with all the trimmings

Come on out and join us for our last lunch bunch of 2016. We will be celebrating Christmas with a fine lunch at one our favorite Italian restaurants, Tatto. Located on the ground floor of Hampshire Place, the staff here will make you feel at home and serve up some fabulous food.

To make lunch more fun, we are going to have a ‘white elephant’ gift exchange. Bring a wrapped gift with a value of RM50 and get ready for some high-energy laughs as you try to hold on to the gift you got before someone steals it away from you.

MUST RSVP: klamerican.info@gmail.com by Friday, 9 December for reservation purposes.

Looking Ahead…

Be sure to mark these dates for activities in February:

PARK ROYAL HOTEL JALAN SULTAN ISMAIL

rsvp by Dec 3

03 February – First Friday Coffee

mottsarellas@hotmail.com klamerican.info@gmail.com

07 February – BINGO at Little Sisters 08 February – Gentlemen’s Night Out ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Members 100Rm Child (4-11) 60RM Non Member add 10Rm Per person

SANTA VISIT & RAFFLE

TBA – Wine Tasting Evening with Friends TBA – Charity Check Giving Coffee Morning

PARENTS ARE ASKED TO BRING ONE WRAPPED AND LABELED GIFT PER CHILD

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2017 Board of Directors

Call for Nominations It’s that time of year!

Join the 2017 Board of Directors of the American Association of Malaysia! We will be voting in the new Executive Board at the Annual General Meeting, date to be determined. All other positions are appointed by the Executive Board. Want to join this fabulous team, or know someone perfect for the job? Contact Wendy Frazer at membershipdirector.aam@gmail.com!

Executive Board (Elected Positions)

President This is the gal or guy in charge. She or he runs the monthly Board meetings and provides support to the whole gang. Represents the AAM at official functions and helps to support all Directors in their endeavors to bring fun and value to our membership families. This position also oversees all our Corporate Relations with our valued Sponsors.

Vice President In the event that the President cannot fulfill his or her duties, the Vice President takes charge. This position will also be working closely with our supported charities to be the liaison between our office and their needs.

Secretary Attends monthly Board Meetings to take notes and composes official minutes.

Works closely with our Membership Director when it is time for our AGM to ensure all documents have been sent to our membership and ballots are received and counted. Also takes the minutes at the AGM for official filing with the Registrar of Societies. This position will also be working closely with our supported charities to be the liaison between the AAM and helping to meet the charity’s needs.

Treasurer Works closely with our accountant to ensure we keep under budget and writes the checks. Oversees the annual audit conducted by our chosen Audit firm and ensures our books are always up to date and our bills are paid.

Other open positions: Membership Director Publications Director Events Director 8

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Community Service 30th Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar Photo by Melinda Klanderman and Fras Shamsan

If you were not at our Christmas Charity Bazaar – you missed some good shopping!

This year, our Bazaar was a roaring success solely due to the efforts of Leslie Sjurseth.

In late August, Leslie started recruiting her team to head up the various areas and they were off. Mona Reaves handled all the vendors and charity tables with such skill and organization, it seemed almost effortless, at least from my point of view. Molly Way oversaw our White Elephant Table, Wanda Holmes in command of the bake sale and Brenda Miller took charge of the raffles and door prizes. A winning team was in place. The day went off without a hitch and shoppers came out by the dozens to take it all in. The charities we support, not only through our Bazaar but also throughout the year, were appreciative of the efforts put forward by this skilled team and ultimately this is what we do the work for – to give back to the community.

I want to thank each of these ladies for not only their dedication to our Bazaar Day but

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also to the many, many volunteers that turned up, dedicating hours or their entire day to help us help others. It takes a village.

I also want to thank our event sponsor, Crown Relocations, for not only their monetary support, but also for having their crew there all day handing out shopping bags and greeting shoppers with their friendly smiles.

Once again this year the Renaissance Hotel went over and above our expectations with their customer service and no request was too big or too small for their team to handle.

They provided us with a beautiful room for our vendors and helped us to add those finishing touches to bring this event together.

Next year we will need volunteers to come together once again to support us with this charity fundraising event so get ready!

With my deepest gratitude,

Peggy Uptigrove President

Community Service

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Community Service

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Community Service

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MALAYSIA’S BEST SEAFOOD BOIL

CRAB FACTORY 21, Jalan SS2/64, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tel: +603 7865 5850 Website: www.crabfactory.com.my

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CRAB HUT P2-25, Shaftsbury Square, Persiaran Multimedia, Cyber 6, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor.

Tel: +603-8322 6861 Website: www.crabhut.asia

Dr Tan Lan Eng Tropicana Medical Centre

TROPICANA MEDICAL CENTRE 11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

T: +603-6287 1111 W: www.tropicanamedicalcentre.com FB: www.facebook.com/TropicanaMedicalCentre E: enquiries@tropicanamedicalcentre.com

COPD versus asthma Coughing, wheezing, difficult breathing—people of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have the familiar symptoms people with asthma. It is easy to mistaken both disease, as they have one big thing in common: the inability to get enough air into the lungs, and they also treated with some of the same medication. About 40 percent of people who have COPD also have asthma, it is term as asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.

and time course of symptoms, personal history or family history, variable or persistent airflow limitation, lung function between symptoms, and severe hyperinflation.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease that affects large and small airway.

It typically develops in childhood and is often accompanied by allergies. Some asthma may develops in adulthood. This airway obstruction predominantly from smooth-muscle spasm, although airway mucus and inflammatory infiltration also contribute. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and enhanced broncho-constrictor response to inhaled stimuli, is a common and core feature of asthma.

COPD is also an inflammatory airway disease, one that affects the small airways in particular. COPD is a general term that describes progressive respiratory disease like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This form of airway obstruction results from smooth muscle contraction, airway mucus, tissue breakdown, or a combination of these, with loss of lung elastic recoil leading to airway closure. COPD usually becomes symptomatic in persons older than 40 to 45 years of age, frequently associated with chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing or a combination of these.

COPD is caused primarily by smoking, although passive smoking, air pollution, and occupational exposures can cause the condition as well.

NEJM 373;13, Sep 24, 2015

How to differentiate asthma from COPD? Age- Airway obstruction occurs in both diseases, but the age of presentation is often the distinguishing feature between COPD and asthma.

People who has asthma are more likely to be diagnosed in childhood, however there is still be exemption. COPD usually shows up in adults over 40 who are current or former smokers.

Different triggers- Atopy is a risk factor for asthma and post people with asthma are atopic. Asthma is usually made worse by exposure to allergens, cold air, and exercise, while COPD aggravations are largely caused by respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or flu. COPD can also worsen by exposure to environment pollutants.

Bronchial hyper-responsiveness- bronchial hyper-responsiveness has long been regarded as a hallmark of asthma and is indeed very common in asthma and a risk factor for disease development. It is currently not part of the definition of asthma, because it does not definitely distinguish asthma from COPD. However, the above mentioned featuresare not an absolute markers to distinguish between COPD and asthma. Recently, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) describes ACOS as a clinical entity and proposes that clinicians should assemble for features for asthma and COPD that best describe the patient and compare the number of features in favor of each diagnosis. In practice, if three or more features of either asthma or COPD are present, that diagnosis is suggested; if there are similar numbers of features of asthma and COPD, the diagnosis of ACOS should be considered. The relevant variables are age at onset, pattern

NEJM 373; 13, Sep 24, 2015 For the treatment, both COPD and asthma react well to inhaler medication. Inhalation corticosteroid is suggested for asthma to reduce the inflammation inside airway. For COPD, long acting bronchodilator (LABA) or long acting muscurinic (LAMA) agent is suggested. For severe COPD or ACOS, corticosteroid inhalation is also another option of the treatment.

In conclusion, there is no cure for either condition, but you can still live comfortably with the correct treatments. Managing asthma properly with medicine and avoiding allergens can prevent episode and allow you to continue normal activities. Damage from COPD cannot be reversed, but treatment can slow the disease’s progression and preserve KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017 15 your lung function.

Home For The Holidays….

By Debz

As the Christmas season is almost upon us, we start to think of trips home to visit family, or maybe a beach is the seasonal get away. If you are leaving KL here are a few tips: 1. We have had a few reports of phone thefts at both KL airports, usually from the outside pocket of backpacks, so even when you think you may be secure, keep an eye on your valuables.

2. Overhead storage areas on aircraft are still being targeted by light fingered passengers so lock your hand luggage.

3. Galaxy Note 7 phones have been banned from many airlines, several of these phones have burst into flames due to a fault in the battery.

4. As with any country take care who you tell when you are leaving.

An empty house is an inviting place.

5. Avoid posting Holiday snaps on social media, like facebook, until you return home. Many insurance companies are refusing to pay out if you are burgled after posting “wish you were here in holiday heaven” posts on facebook.

6. Watch your credit card. Our habit of handing over our card and waiting for the little black folder to come back to us is not recommended outside KL. Credit card cloning is rife on Europe and North America.

7. On the subject of credit cards, chip and pin is arriving in KL. By January most shops and restaurants will not be allowing customers to sign so get your pin number sorted before you leave. Most areas outside Asia will only accept a pin number for payment by credit card so don’t miss out on Christmas shopping by not being able to pay.

If you are travelling to Thailand or Singapore during the festive sea16

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son stock up on mosquito repellent as Zika Virus is known to be on the rise in these areas. Special care should be taken if you are pregnant or are trying to conceive. Zika Virus is linked to microcephaly in babies and is a devastating incurable condition.

Current threat from international terrorism The current threat level for international terrorism in the UK is SEVERE. What the threat levels mean Threat levels are designed to give a broad indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack.

The system they use in the UK is: • LOW means an attack is unlikely.

• MODERATE means an attack is possible, but not likely • SUBSTANTIAL means an attack is a strong possibility • SEVERE means an attack is highly likely • CRITICAL means an attack is expected imminently The Current Threat Level in the USA is ELEVATED CONDITION According to Homeland Security, the following explains what ‘Elevated Condition’ means: 1. Low Condition (Green). This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agencyspecific Protective Measures they develop and implement: o Refining and exercising, as appropriate, preplanned Protective Measures;

o Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency Protective Measures; and o Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

2. Guarded Condition (Blue). This condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Condition, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement: o Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations; o Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and o Providing the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.

3. Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the Protective Measures that they will develop and implement: o Increasing surveillance of critical locations; o Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions; o Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures; and o Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

4. High Condition (Orange). A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement: o Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations; o Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation; o Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and o Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.

5. Severe Condition (Red). A Severe Condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Under most circumstances, the Protective Measures for a Severe Condition are not intended to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition to the Protective Measures in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies also should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement: o Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs; o Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources; o Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and o Closing public and government facilities.

Wishing you and your family a safe and savvy Christmas. See you in 2017.

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Memories Coffee Morning @ Ambiance 14 October Photos by Peggy Uptigrove

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AAM members and members from the Association of British Women gathered together for a Mimosa morning at the Ambiance Showroom in Ampang.

Memories Saturday Date Night 15 October Photos by Peggy Uptigrove

A handful of members turned up for Dinner and a Show on this Saturday Night out. We started out with dinner at the Coliseum CafĂŠ and then walked down to the theatre to see a live production of the musical M.U.D. It was a lot of fun for those that went and after seeing the show, highly recommend everyone go and check it out.

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Memories Pink October Check Presentation 10 November Photos by Lynn Peck (ABWM)

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We featured pictures from our Pink October event in last month’s magazine and on November 10th, the ABWM, LLAM and AAM made the check presentations to the National Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Welfare Association. Each charity received a total donation of RM21,764.71.

AAM Messages AAM Online Communities

Reservation & Payment Policy

The AAM is on Facebook! “Like” the AAM Facebook fan page by logging on, typing ‘American Association of Malaysia’ in the Search bar at the top of the page and clicking ‘Like.’ You’ll get the latest information on all of AAM’s exciting events and activities!

• If the reservation is made via email, the AAM will send you an acknowledgment receipt and advise whether the activity is still available.

Introducing the AAM Google Group - a forum for members to consult with other members on queries and recommendations for anything from best family hotels to dentists to household help. Members can join in two ways. First, you can send an email to secondvp.aam@gmail.com with the email addresses you would like to add to the Google Group. Please put “Need AAM Google Group Invite” in the header of the email. The second way to join is you can go to Google Groups, search for American Association of Malaysia and then ask to be invited and the Administrator can add you. When you receive the invite via email, you must respond to complete the registration process. For more information, go to http:// www.klamerican.com/online-communities.

Membership Renewal

Starting 1 January, 2017 we will be going to an annual membership renewal. Be watching for an email from our Membership Director on how and when we will be handling this process.

Your $0.02 Do you have any ideas or suggestions for new activities, events or workshops that may be of interest to our members? Can you think of ways we can improve our current line-up? Any concerns about the AAM’s building facilities? Your feedback, whether positive or negative, is always welcome. Kindly drop us a note in the Suggestion Box located in the villa or email klamerican.info@gmail.com.

Solicitation Policy Solicitation of business by any member or guest is not allowed at any AAM function without prior board approval. Members are requested to respectfully observe the policy that membership information is to be used solely for AAM business and is not to be used for personal or business solicitation purposes. If you are interested in sharing your talents/services with the AAM, please contact the AAM office.

Event and Activity reservations can be made via email to klamerican.info@gmail.com.

• Fees MUST be paid within 48 hours of signing up for an event or activity. You will not be “confirmed” for the event/activity until payment in full has been received by the AAM. • You may pay by bank transfer or cash deposit to the AAM Maybank Account directly. The bank account information will be provided to you once you have signed up for a specific event. We ask that you send us a copy of the transfer confirmation once completed so we can cross reference our bank account.

• We cannot accept credit card payments.

Cancellation Policy

• Reservations MUST be cancelled FIVE BUSINESS DAYS prior to the activity in order to received a refund. If you do not cancel your reservation within this time period or you are a no-show the day of the Event/Activity, a refund will not be issued.

• For Events/Activities that have a required minimum attendance, AAM reserves the right to cancel or reschedule when circumstances warrant.

• Each Event/Activity will have a sign up deadline date and we must adhere to those dates. This allows instructors of classes to gather all required materials or tour companies to arrange the proper transportation for our group.

• If you still have not made payment by the reservation deadline for an Event/Activity, your name will be automatically removed from the sign-up sheet and there will be no further correspondence from the AAM office. To avoid disappointment, please make your payment within 48 hours of making your reservation.

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US EMBASSY We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Malaysia enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at http://www. travel.state.gov/. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the embassy or nearest consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Calling Willing Leaders We, like the United States, are preparing for our own Presidential Election!

That’s right, we are looking for new leaders of the American Association.

Starting in December, we will have a nomination committee together that will be looking for members to fill several key Board of Director positions at our Annual General Meeting (date to be determined). It doesn’t matter if we have a full board with every other position filled, if no one steps up to take on the position of President, the entire Association will be shut down. Our constitution states that there has to be a President on board to ensure the continuation of the AAM. The positions that need to be filled are listed below but first and foremost, we will need someone to consider the job of President.

President: This position oversees and is responsible for the entire operation of the American Association of Malaysia. The President is the representive of the AAM within the community, with our Corporate Sponsors, and charities.

Serve as chair for all meetings. Responsible, along with the entire Board of Directors, to make appropriate changes to serve the Association in the best interest of the members and the community.

Vice President: Steps in on behalf of the President when necessary.

Events Director: This position is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all events hosted by the AAM. This includes but not limited to monthly events such as tours, talks and demonstrations for the members (and non-members).

This position is also in charge of any major events such as our annual ball and shrimp boil.

Publications Director: This position gathers information for our monthly publication and is the liaison with our graphic designer to approve the layout of the magazine.

This position also secures advertising for our publication and sends out contracts to those that are interested in placing ads.This position is vital to help contribute to our annual income through advertising contracts.

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The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is located at 376 Jalan Tun Razak 50400, Kuala Lumpur and is open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are a U.S. citizen and have any questions or concerns, please call the U.S. Embassy at (03) 2168-5000 or visit the U.S. Citizens Service website at http:// malaysia.usembassy.gov/. We will post the most updated information on the website.

USEFUL LINKS: CountyOffice.org is the most accurate internet database of county government offices in the United States. Use our site to locate your county assessor, board of elections, chamber of commerce, child support offices, colleges, coroner, courts, and much more, with all relevant details.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS EMERGENCY POLICE......................................................................999 FIRE & RESCUE.........................................................999 CIVIL DEFENSE.........................................................999 ANY EMERGENCIES FROM MOBILE PHONE............112 UTILITIES...

ELECTRICITY/POWER FAILURE............................ 15454 WATER DISRUPTION................................1800 88 5252 SEWAGE SYSTEM.....................................03 2780 1100 OPERATOR DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES............................................100 ANIMALS MISSING PETS..........................................03 4021 1682 SNAKES & PESTS......................................03 4042 6742 ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER. (24 HRS.).....03 4041 6742

american association of malaysia KL

December 2016

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10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

First Friday Harrod’s Café / KLCC

AAM email: klamerican.info@gmail.com

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10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

Bingo @ Little Sisters of the Poor

6:00 p.m.

Gentlemen’s Night Out TAPAS Beer Bar

10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

Friday Coffee Harrod’s KLCC

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Christmas Lunch w/ CAM Park Royal Hotel

12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

Lunch Bunch / Tattos

Subang Jaya Medical Centre

For enquireies, please call -

+603 5639 1212

Ara Damansara Medical Centre

ParkCity Medical Centre

1, Jalan SS12/1A, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor

Lot 2, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, Seksyen U2, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor

No.2, Jalan Intisari Perdana, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur

Your One-Stop Medical Centre with Centres of Excellence in

Your Partner in Healthcare with Centres of Excellence in

Your Family-friendly Hospital aiming to be a regional leader in the specialties of

• Cancer • Blood Diseases • Digestive & Liver Health

• Brain • Heart • Spine & Joints

• Women • Children • Elderly Health

or email -

mcu@ramsaysimedarbyhealth.com

www.ramsaysimedarby.asia

KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

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January 2017

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Subang Jaya Medical Centre

For enquireies, please call -

+603 5639 1212

Ara Damansara Medical Centre

ParkCity Medical Centre

1, Jalan SS12/1A, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor

Lot 2, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, Seksyen U2, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor

No.2, Jalan Intisari Perdana, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur

Your One-Stop Medical Centre with Centres of Excellence in

Your Partner in Healthcare with Centres of Excellence in

Your Family-friendly Hospital aiming to be a regional leader in the specialties of

• Cancer • Blood Diseases • Digestive & Liver Health

• Brain • Heart • Spine & Joints

• Women • Children • Elderly Health

or email -

mcu@ramsaysimedarbyhealth.com

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KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

www.ramsaysimedarby.asia

KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

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(60-3) 5565 2200 KL American Dec 2016/Jan 2017

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