Just this morning (November 26) the trees were delivered for the annual Festival of the Trees sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Over 20 trees will be featured this year at the main library location in Martinsville and at the Brooklyn, Monrovia, Morgantown and Waverly branches. All trees are to be decorated by December 4th, and the judging will be done by December 20th. So plan to visit any of the above-mentioned locations for a look at the decorated trees.
Who decorates the trees? Various child and adult groups located within Morgan County. A few businesses add their decorating skills to the mix as well. The groups have a wonderful time at the library decorating their trees. And one lucky group will win a pizza party!
Just like last year, you may purchase tickets to vote for your favorite tree using them. Tickets will be available after December 4th. Come in and make your votes count!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Health Care Sign Up Info
By now we all have heard or personally experienced how badly the start up to Healthcare.gov has been. While it has been a disappointment to those who want to browse and buy affordable health insurance, there are alternatives to the government website. Huff Post Business lists seven alternatives to help you get started looking at, choosing, and signing up for health care coverage.
You can download, print, and mail in an application. Forms can be found here: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/index.html. You will want to scroll down to the section "Health Insurance Market Place Forms" and find the individual and family forms to download and print off.
You can call the Help Center at 1-800-318-2596 and speak with a qualified government representative to answer any questions you have about the forms or about health insurance coverage in general.
There is also a new website called HealthSherpa . Use this website to shop and get price quotes before signing up for a health care plan. The HealthSherpa website will allow you to find insurance plans based on zip code, age, level of coverage desired, and income without collecting and keeping your personal information. It will also calculate possible subsidies you may qualify for.
The Morgan County Library is also offering programs to assist you in signing up for health care. A MD Wise representative will be on hand to answer any questions you may have concerning the Health Insurance Marketplace at the main branch in Martinsville on Wednesday, November 20 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and again on Monday, December 2 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Monrovia Branch.
You can download, print, and mail in an application. Forms can be found here: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/index.html. You will want to scroll down to the section "Health Insurance Market Place Forms" and find the individual and family forms to download and print off.
You can call the Help Center at 1-800-318-2596 and speak with a qualified government representative to answer any questions you have about the forms or about health insurance coverage in general.
There is also a new website called HealthSherpa . Use this website to shop and get price quotes before signing up for a health care plan. The HealthSherpa website will allow you to find insurance plans based on zip code, age, level of coverage desired, and income without collecting and keeping your personal information. It will also calculate possible subsidies you may qualify for.
The Morgan County Library is also offering programs to assist you in signing up for health care. A MD Wise representative will be on hand to answer any questions you may have concerning the Health Insurance Marketplace at the main branch in Martinsville on Wednesday, November 20 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and again on Monday, December 2 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Monrovia Branch.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Quick Crafting
It is only a few weeks until the Holidays. I am always on the lookout for books that have quick, easy, and inexpensive craft ideas. Here are a few books that might give you a few ideas. If you have Christmas gifts already for this year, it is never to early to start gathering ideas for next years gifts.
Handmade gifts by DK Publishing
Fun with Yarn and Fabric by Susanna Zacke
Mason Jar Crafts by Lauren Donaldson
Handmade for Christmas by Editors of Future Publishing
Quilting on the Go by Jessica Alenandrakis
Soap Crafting: Step by Step techniques by Anne-Marie Faiola
If crafting isn't your thing, how about getting a new cookbook a try. We have some great new Christmas books filled with wonderful pictures and recipes. Here are a few titles to get you started.
Taste of Home Christmas is filled with color pictures and dozens of recipes of cookies and candies that would make wonderful gifts.
The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook
One Bowl Baking by Yvonne Ruperti
Meals in a Jar by Julie Lanquille
Slice and Bake Cookies by Elinor Klivans
The Flying Brownie by Shirley Fan
Remember if you can't find it on the shelf, or don't see exactly what you are looking for, look in the catalog. There are so many books available through Evergreen. You won't be disappointed.
Enjoy the Holidays!
Handmade gifts by DK Publishing
Fun with Yarn and Fabric by Susanna Zacke
Mason Jar Crafts by Lauren Donaldson
Handmade for Christmas by Editors of Future Publishing
Quilting on the Go by Jessica Alenandrakis
Soap Crafting: Step by Step techniques by Anne-Marie Faiola
If crafting isn't your thing, how about getting a new cookbook a try. We have some great new Christmas books filled with wonderful pictures and recipes. Here are a few titles to get you started.
Taste of Home Christmas is filled with color pictures and dozens of recipes of cookies and candies that would make wonderful gifts.
The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook
One Bowl Baking by Yvonne Ruperti
Meals in a Jar by Julie Lanquille
Slice and Bake Cookies by Elinor Klivans
The Flying Brownie by Shirley Fan
Remember if you can't find it on the shelf, or don't see exactly what you are looking for, look in the catalog. There are so many books available through Evergreen. You won't be disappointed.
Enjoy the Holidays!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
A dreaded time of the year is approaching.
It may seem early to be thinking about it, but the time to start working on taxes is approaching fast. We had to start thinking about it back in August; that's when we submitted our orders for the tax forms we will be providing to the public. Although a very large portion of returns are filed on-line, this service is still very important to those who choose not to, or can't, file electronically. Since forms are no longer mailed automatically to every taxpayer, and public sources to pick them up have shrunk drastically, it has become very important for the library to offer this service as long as it is possible to do so. Although the selection of forms available to offer continues to decline, we will still have a good basic selection for those requiring forms. We will also have all of the information you need to order forms by phone and on the internet. You can not only download forms, but also use the library's computers or wireless connections to file your taxes on-line.
Last year's tax season was the most frustrating one that I can remember. We had no forms until much later in the season because of the delay in approving the tax code. After forms started to become available, the situation continued to be complicated by the issuing of corrections to forms and other issues that arose. I am hoping for a smoother process this year.
The Federal and State governments are both strongly encouraging electronic filing. We have been notified that our shipments of Indiana state tax forms will be reduced by 10% over last year's supply, and the state is requesting that people take only one copy of each form. Resources are available to make copies or download additional forms at 10 cents per page. We will continue to offer the forms as long as they are available, and we will also provide all of the electronic resources that we can.
A number of resources are available on-line. Here are some links for the federal and state websites.
The IRS website:
http://www.irs.gov/
The federal freefile site:
http://www.freefile.irs.gov/
The Indiana DOR website:
http://www.in.gov/dor/
The Indiana INfreefile website (also includes links to federal tax prep software):
http://www.in.gov/dor/4741.htm
Hoping for a stress free season,
Chuck
Last year's tax season was the most frustrating one that I can remember. We had no forms until much later in the season because of the delay in approving the tax code. After forms started to become available, the situation continued to be complicated by the issuing of corrections to forms and other issues that arose. I am hoping for a smoother process this year.
The Federal and State governments are both strongly encouraging electronic filing. We have been notified that our shipments of Indiana state tax forms will be reduced by 10% over last year's supply, and the state is requesting that people take only one copy of each form. Resources are available to make copies or download additional forms at 10 cents per page. We will continue to offer the forms as long as they are available, and we will also provide all of the electronic resources that we can.
A number of resources are available on-line. Here are some links for the federal and state websites.
The IRS website:
http://www.irs.gov/
The federal freefile site:
http://www.freefile.irs.gov/
The Indiana DOR website:
http://www.in.gov/dor/
The Indiana INfreefile website (also includes links to federal tax prep software):
http://www.in.gov/dor/4741.htm
Hoping for a stress free season,
Chuck
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)