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Index: Pages/ Home, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
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Preparing your tax files
As April 15 nears, thousands of Ohioans are preparing to file their taxes. Because this process can be confusing and difficult, the Kent State University Trumbull Campus is promoting a new free online program available through the Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB). OBB is a web-based program that connects low and moderate-income Ohioans with access to work supports such as tax credits and public benefits.
The self-service program, accessible at www.OBB.Ohio.Gov, is designed to help working individuals and families, whose annual income is less than $54,000, prepare and file their taxes electronically at no cost to them. Clients can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits, such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps. This program is easy to use and Kent State Trumbull encourages individuals and families to visit the web site to learn more and access this service.
Individuals who do not have web access or would rather work with a trained counselor can visit one of Ohio's more than 120 Benefit Bank sites and clinics. At these sites and clinics, counselors help Ohioans prepare and file their federal and state income tax returns at no cost to them. And, if eligible, clients can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and receive a tax refund quickly - usually within seven to 10 days. At these counselor-assisted sites and clinics, clients can also apply for other work supports, such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps.
Each year, more than $1.6 billion dollars in tax credits and other work supports go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply. More than 95 percent of these unclaimed funds are federal dollars. Claiming these dollars will bring more federal money to Ohio, therefore helping to boost the State's economy.
For more information or to locate an Ohio Benefit Bank site nearest you, call
1-800-648-1176 or visit www.OBB.Ohio.Gov.
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Observatory open for Lunar Eclipse
Don't miss a special sky show... a total lunar eclipse the night of Wednesday, Feb. 20. Weather permitting, the Stephens Memorial Observatory, Hiram College, will be open Wednesday night, beginning at about 8 p.m., to view close-up the full Moon as it undergoes a total eclipse. A lunar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow in space. Those eclipses only take place when the Moon is full and, over the course of several hours, transform the Moon from a brilliant disk to a coppery-red orb. Adding to the spectacle will be the bright ringed planet Saturn which will shine like a golden star near the now-darkened Moon. The next total lunar eclipse visible from here will take place in the early morning hours of Dec. 21, 2010.
Those who don't want to trek to the observatory can get a great view of it from their own back yard without need of a telescope. If the sky is clear just step outside and look at the Moon at about
9 p.m. when the eclipse should begin to become noticeable. Check back occasionally over the next hour or so as the Moon moves deeper into Earth's shadow. By 10 p.m. the Moon will be in full eclipse. It won't begin to brighten again until about 11 p.m. and will be back to its full brilliance in the wee hours of Sunday morning. An observing chart and more details are available at the Stephens Observatory website: StephensObservatory.org.
In the event of cloudy skies the Observatory will not open.
Visitors may park on side streets or in the nearby parking lot of Harrison's Hideaway Gift Shoppe, 6821 Wakefield Road, just a couple of hundred feet east of the observatory. There is no parking at the Observatory.
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New spiritual Apple Book: Not your grandmother's religion
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Kimberly Lisowski.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS.
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THE APPLE YOU WERE FED is based on authors, Kimberly Lisowski and Andrea Pouliot's, literally hundreds of hours of research into the short comings of two trusted belief systems: psychology and Christianity, as well as their own personal experiences within the church-one leaving unimpressed, one staying to run a mini PR campaign for God.
When agnostic liberal, Kimberly, moved in across the street from conservative Christian, Andrea, no-one expected a friendship, especially a friendship that would lead them to uncover the deepest secrets of their lives. Together with verbal shovels and buckets of coffee, they fought past their usual demeanors seeking a deeper understanding of life and God. Who was He? Why did His message seem so hard to live out? What they unearthed was not expected or planned. The universal lie they uncovered changed their perspectives of God's love, and thus brought meaning back into their stagnant lives. This universal lie, the power of the whole Message to transform lives, and what the church and its' people do to hold it back is told through the private and sometimes controversial conversations of two women who should have never been friends.
There will be a book signing Feb. 23, 6-8 p.m. and at Borders in Niles, March 1, 2-4 p.m.
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Jobstart the Economy
As part of giving back to the community, Leavittsburg Liberty Tax Service would like to be certain that the public is fully informed regarding the governments "Jumpstart the Economy" package so that no one misses out.
There are certain qualifications and restrictions, the tax professionals will gladly explain to anyone who inquires however, the first step towards receiving the extra income is to file a 2007 tax return! Regardless of where your income is from, even if it is only Social Security for tax exempt veteran's benefits, you need to file to receive the jumpstart the economy monies. Those who are dependents on someone else's return would not be eligible to file on their own but all others having income of at least $3000 should file.
As a service to the community, Leavittsburg Liberty Tax Service will gladly offer to do these returns at no charge. Simply call 330-898-1130 to set up an appointment. If you are a nursing home, assisted living home, senior center, VFW, or other facility catering primarily to those 65 or older and you would like a preparer that can be arranged. Please contact Jennifer or Gail at the above number.
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Thank you annual spaghetti dinner
The second annual spaghetti dinner in loving memory of Lena, Mason and Christian was a huge success! Thanks go out to all of you! They served a little over 800 yummy meatballs and 100 pounds of spaghetti! The grand total so far is... (drum roll, please) $8,000! That is awesome!
My next project will be the second annual Kids fun day/book bag give-away, held sometime in August, date to be announced. Last year they were able to stuff 140 book bags with school supplies to ensure kids could start their school year prepared. Keep this event in mind as you meet folks along the way that may need a helping hand for their children next school year. Please know that they will be able to hold this event again because of you
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FAFSA applications now available
The 2008-09 free application for FAFSA is now available and students and their families can either file a traditional form or submit an application electronically, according to state Senator Bob Robbins, R-50th District.
The FAFSA is used to determine students' eligibility for almost all types of student aid, including state grants, Federal Pell Grants, Keystone Stafford Loans, regular Federal Stafford Loans and other federal and institutional programs.
Families are encouraged to visit www.pheaa.org/fafsa to access the 2008-09 online FAFSA and a FAFSA n the Web worksheet to help walk them through the application process step by step. Students may also file online at www.educationplanner.org or www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Students planning to enroll in baccalaureate degree programs, including those enrolled in college transfer programs at community or junior colleges must file by May 1. Students planning to attend business, trade and technical schools; hospital schools of nursing, or two-year non-transferable programs at community, junior or four-year colleges must file by Aug. 1.
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LWV Town Hall Honorees
by Roselyn Gadd
Miriam Fife, Victim Rights Advocate and the Raymond John Wean Foundation will be honored at the League of Women Voters imPACT Town Hall Feb. 25. The Raymond John Wean Foundation enhances community well-being and vitality in the Mahoning Valley through grant making, convening, advocating and providing leadership with a focus on economically disadvantaged people and neighborhoods. Miriam Fife has served the community many years and pioneered the Victim Rights movement in Northeast Ohio.
The Town Hall meeting will consist of an award ceremony and an interactive dialogue on Judicial Independence. Judge Mary DeGenaro of the seventh District U.S. Court of Appeals and Attorney Ted Roberts will introduce the subject to the audience. The meeting is free and open to the public. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. at the 'J', Jewish Community Center. There is plenty of free, secure parking available. Refreshments will also be served. For more information contact: Terri at 330-719-9345 or Suzanne at 330-207-0437.
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