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Our monthly meeting in March is a very special meeting. Not only is our speaker Benita Zahn from News Channel 13, but it is our annual member appreciation meeting. To say thank you for supporting the chapter, this year we are offering a discount on the dinner price. Instead of the regular member price of $22 for dinner, the special price that night is $15.

We want to show our appreciation and hopefully encourage some members that have not attended in the past (or for a long time) to "give it a try". We are anticipating a great evening and hope you will consider joining us. Benita will be speaking on the topic: 'Getting More Out of Life'.

In Benita's own words, 'I liken it to shopping in your own closet - what we're really seeking to complete our lives is as close as that .. it's not something you have to go out of your way to find .. '

Benita Zahn co-anchors NewsChannel 13 Live at 5 with Jim Kambrich and NewsChannel 13 Live at 5:30 with Elaine Houston. She is also the health reporter, covering issues including wellness, treatment breakthroughs, aging, nutrition, and the latest health care trends.

Benita’s work has garnered her numerous awards, including a NYS Broadcasters Award ‘Why Weight’ a program on children and obesity. She’s been named one of the 100 Women of the Century by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, a nomination for a N.Y. Emmy for her overall work, a nomination for a National Emmy for "The Great American Heart Test", a Gold Medal in the New York Festival’s International Television competition for "Baby Your Baby," the Distinguished Communicator Award from American Women in Radio and Television, 1997 YMCA Citizen of the Year, the NYS Health Education Week Award, as well as media awards from the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association.

In addition to her health reporting duties, Benita also produces and hosts a weekly current affairs program, Forum 13. That show took her to Israel for the World Gathering of Holocaust Survivors. Her documentary on that event won the prestigious New York International Film and Television Award. She has also covered numerous national political conventions, the Unabomber trial, and a wide range of general assignment stories.

A marathon runner, Benita is Honorary Chair for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Run.

She’s also the creator/co-producer and host of HEALTHLINK on WMHT, Tuesday nights at 7:30 and writes a column for BOOM magazine on health issues.

Her theater credits are numerous, including performances at the Albany Civic Theater, Schenectady Civic Theater, Schenectady Light Opera, and Park Playhouse.

Benita has worked at WTVH in Syracuse and Cablevision of Long Island. She is a graduate of SUNY Oswego where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies/Broadcasting and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts.