April 2, 2008 Citizen News Column

 

Stimulus Payment Information

   The library has forms for those citizens who do not have to file a 2007 tax return for tax purposes.  You still need to file a return in order to receive an economic stimulus payment.  You are eligible for a payment if you have a total of $3,000 or more in qualifying income.  Qualifying income is earned income; social security benefits (including social security disability payments; certain railroad retirement benefits; certain veterans’ benefits; and nontaxable combat pay. 

   If you qualify under this income test, you will receive a payment of $300 ($600 if married filing jointly).  In addition, you will also receive an additional payment of $300 for each qualifying child.

   Once you have filed a 2007 tax return, you do not have to do anything more to receive your economic stimulus payment.  The IRS will determine eligibility, figure the amount, and send you the payment. 

   File a Form 1040A with only a few lines filled in to receive your economic stimulus payment.  You may also file electronically for free.  Visit www.irs.gov and click on the free file icon.

   You should file as soon as possible, but to be sure that you receive your stimulus payment in 2008, you must file Form 1040A with the IRS by October 15, 2008.

   If you need help filling out the form, you can receive assistance by going to www.irs.gov; calling the IRS hotline at 1-866-234-2942; or by visiting one of the following organizations – IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites, Low Income Taxpayer clinics (LITC), or local Volunteer Income Assistance (VITA) sites.  The above information was taken from information on the 1040A-3 package.

Upcoming Adult April/May Programs

   April 4, Friday, Author Visit – BetterBody BetterLife, 6:30-8 pm.  Croix Sather, a local resident, will discuss his new book BetterBody BetterLife.  The BetterBody BetterLife Plan includes connecting the mind and body for permanent weight loss without dieting.  A book signing will follow.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the library.

   April 9, Weds., Our Brain and Body When We Grieve, 6:30-7:45 pm.  Polly O’Connor-Corbani has taken some of the amazing breakthroughs in brain research to show in a gentle, respectful way why it hurts so much when a loved one dies and what choices we can make and steps to heal.

   April 12, Sat., Interactive Acrylic Paint Party, 10:30-1:30 pm.  A quick demo of new paints will be given and then participants will get to create artwork with the new user-friendly Chroma-Interactive paints.  For high school students and adults.  Bring your own water container, brushes and canvas (portable easel optional).  Disposable palettes and a variety of paint mediums will be provided.

   April 16, Weds., Page Turners, 6:45-7:45 pm.  The book selection for this month is Case Histories by Kate Atkinson.  Copies are available in the library.  This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month.

   May 7, Weds., Author Talk, 6:30-8 pm.  Charles Monagan, author of Connecticut Icons and editor of Connecticut Magazine will discuss places to visit in Connecticut.  A book signing will follow.

   May 9, Friday, Mini-Album Making Workshop, 6:30-7:30 pm.  Tricia Grauert will assist teens and adults in assembling a mini-scrapbook album.  A material fee of $15 will be collected at time of registration.

   May 21, Weds., Page Turners, 6:45-7:45 pm.  The book selection for this month is Emma Brown by Clare Boylan.  Copies are available in the library.  Join us for a lively discussion.

Upcoming Children’s April/May Programs

      Thursdays, Drop in Storytime, 10:30-11 am.  Storytime with Ms. JoAnn every Thursday, unless school is closed.  Stories, music and movement for all ages.  No registration required.

   April 11, Friday, Poetry Reading, 6:30-7:30 pm.  Students in third to fifth grade will read their original poetry and a reception of light refreshments will follow.  Sponsored by the New Fairfield School Enrichment K-5 Program.

   April 13, Sunday, Dance, Song and Possibilities, 1:30-2:30 pm.  Learn what makes a song or dance craze and discover that anyone can invent a song or dance.  Brian Gillie will lead an interactive musical program for families to participate in together.

   May 2, Friday, It’s a Small World, 1:30-2:15 pm.  Travel to foreign lands with Elyse Felicione and learn about different countries with fun activities and crafts.  This six-week session for children ages four and five runs 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30 and 6/6.

   May 2, Friday, Illustrator Visit, 6:30-7:30 pm.  Robert Casilla, illustrator of many children’s books, will show participants the process he uses for illustrating his books and read a portion of one of his stories.  Sponsored by the Community Literacy Council.

   May 3, Saturday, Anne of Green Gables 100th Anniversary Event, 2-3:30 pm.  A parent/child event filled with fun activities, crafts and food based on the book series.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

 Summer Reading

  It may be April but we are thinking ahead to our summer reading program.  The program will run from June 25th through August 6th for both the children’s and teen programs.  Children from birth through fifth grade can earn coupons for local treats and raffle tickets for prizes.  Students in grade six and up through high school will earn raffle tickets for prizes.  Volunteers are needed to assist with both of these programs.  Training sessions will be held on Monday, June 2nd at 4 pm and Wednesday, June 11th at 6:30 pm.  Volunteers are required to attend one of these sessions.  Applications will be available soon.

New Children’s Books

   Chicken of the Family by Mary Amato; A New Hope, Episode IV Star Wars by Bruce Jones; Barack Obama: An American Story by Roberta Edwards; Lauren the Puppy Fairy by Daisy Meadows; Katie the Kitten Fairy by Daisy Meadows; Jump the Cracks by Stacy DeKeyser; Hurricane: A Novel by Terry Trueman; Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles; NASCAR Behind the Scenes by Mark Stewart.

New Children’s DVD’s

   Max and Ruby:  Berry Bunny Adventures

New Adult Books

  Crochet Me by Kim Werker, Buying a Home by the Better Business Bureau, Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs by Jack Gorman, Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy, Bush Tragedy by Jacob Weisberg, Encyclopedia of Hardy Plants by Derek Fell, Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear, Black Dove by Steve Hockensmith, Gas City by Loren Estleman, Manic:A Memoir by Terri Cheney, My Life as a Traitor by Zaran Gharamani, In the Country of Old Men by Hisham Matar, Commoner by John Schwartz, Truth and Consequences by Keith Olbermann, Life of the Skies by Jonathan Rosen, Hope’s Boy: A Memoir by Andrew Bridge, Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews, Game of My Life by J-Mac McElwain, In the Courts of the Crimsom Kings by S.M. Stirling, Our Daily Meds by Melody Peterson, My Life by Fidel Castro, Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby, And Sometimes Why by Rebecca Johnson, Where Did I Leave My Glasses by Martha Lear, Goodbye Sister Disco by James Patrick Hunt, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty by Donna Kauffman, ACT Testing, DogFriendly.com’s Lodging Guide to Travelers with Dogs, Skinny Dipping by Connie Brockway, Blogging for Dummies by Susannah Gardner, The Super Antioxidant Diet and Nutrition Guide, by  Robin Jeep, How to Say It To Get Into the College Of Your Choice by Linda Metcalf, Alive and Kicking: Legal Advice for Boomers by Kenney Hegland, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Large Print edition)

New Adult DVD’s

  Pride & Prejudice (with Colin Firth), Darjeeling Limited, Into the Wild, Welcome to Amish America, The Lives of Others, Silk, Things We Lost in the Fire