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A12 • Friday, January 16, 2015 Villager Newspapers ‘Tis the season to pay taxes: Staying safe and getting it right As we brush away the last confetti of the old year, it’s time to gather those financial documents and file your federal and state income tax returns. Few tasks strike more fear in the hearts of Americans than the challenge of filing our taxes. Try as we might to make it easier, visions of myriad forms dance in and do a number on our heads. As the saying goes in the world of tax law, anything worth doing is worth overdoing. No wonder so many people want put it task off as long as possible or face penalties and interest when they are late. As Commissioner of Revenue Services, let me to tell you why you should not wait. If you are eligible for an earned income tax credit or in any other way expecting an income tax refund, the sooner you file your return, the sooner you will have money in your pocket. Filing sooner also helps protect you from identity Your Turn KEVIN B. SULLIVAN REVENUE SERVICES COMMISSIONER theft. Nationally, the IRS reports that $15 billion in federal tax refunds were stolen by identity thieves. Last year, Connecticut’s Department of Revenue Services prevented $13.3 million in improper income tax refunds from being issued. Many of these were refunds requested by identity thieves who used stolen Social Security numbers to file fraudulent returns. Sadly, identity theft is big business, and the thieves get smarter all the time. By filing early and filing electronically, you improve your chances of beating identity thieves to the punch and to your money. The fastest and easiest way to file your Connecticut income tax return electronically is through our free, secure Taxpayer Service Center accessed on line at www.ct.gov/TSC. We begin accepting returns on Jan. 16. In addition to transmitting your return information directly to DRS, the Taxpayer Service Center does all the calculations for you. If you choose direct deposit, it’s also the fastest and most secure way to get your state tax refund. So if you file yourself, know that our Taxpayer Service Center makes it easier, as do a number of good software programs that are available. The simpler your filing, the less likely it is that you even need to pay for tax preparation assistance. Of course, not everyone is comfortable preparing their own tax returns. You may opt for a tax preparation service, trusting that a professional will make sure everything is done correctly. You may even qualify for free tax preparation assistance. I recommend you check our DRS website at www.ct.gov/DRS or Infoline 211 for referrals. Whether the tax professional is a lawyer, accountant or financial planner, there are lots of qualified folks out there who can help. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of fly-by-night storefront operations out there with questionable reputations just waiting to make some fast cash from trusting taxpayers. The best of them have staff with little training and charge exorbitant prices. The worst of these places are out to rip you off. They may steal your identity, file a fraudulent return in your name, and steal your refund. Then, before you know it, they have cleared out and left you with nothing but a potential credit nightmare. Taxpayers need to be vigilant about choosing a preparer, protecting their money and not having their identity stolen. The IRS requires all paid tax preparers to get an ID number, known as a PTIN, in order to file federal income tax returns. Even if you are seeking assistance for state tax filing, ask to see the preparer’s federal PTIN number, along with any other certifications that would qualify the person to prepare tax returns. Check the Better Business Bureau or search on line for independent customer comments. Make sure you are given a reliable way up front to contact the preparer after the April 15 filing deadline. If problems are found on your returns, you will need the preparer’s help to answer any questions. To file your returns accurately, a preparer will need to see various records and will need to ask you questions to verify income, credits, and deductions. Run away from any tax preparer that claims it can complete your returns without this information or that asks you to sign blank forms. Never sign forms that you have not reviewed. Avoid tax preparers that want you to have your refund deposited to them before being paid to you or charge added fees for supplemental information such as documentation of earned income tax credit eligibility. And remember, those so-called refund anticipation loans will have huge fees that gouge you out of your money. If you are due a refund, ask for direct deposit – the fastest and most secure way to get your money. Those without accounts that accept direct deposit can request the refund on a debit card, which can be used to make purchases or can be cashed at most banks without a check-cashing fee. At DRS, we are also taking more steps to combat tax fraud and protect your identity. We use sophisticated internal and external screening. We mail a paper refund check to any first-time filers because it’s a proven strategy to prevent fraudsters from stealing the funds. This may slow down a refund but it’s a whole lot better than having taxpayer funds and taxpayer identities stolen. At DRS, we know most people do not look forward to filing taxes so we are here to help – including payment plans when needed. Failing to file never ends up well. Taxpayer information and assistance is available during business hours, Monday through Friday at (800) 382-9463 for in-state calls outside of the Greater Hartford Area or (860) 297-5962 from anywhere. When it comes to filing taxes, we are all in this together. Trust Your Your Guide to Your Neighbors A potpourri of tips The New Year is here and that means another round of new (and new to some) tips! This week’s column corrals a potpourri of tips and tricks to make life a little easier - from recycling sponges to saving your sight! And remember readers, send in your favorite hints and you may win dinner for two at the Publick House. *** Want to make a perfect first impression Try these tips! Be positive and make others feel comfortable. Lean into a greeting with a firm handshake and a smile. Avoid these red flags of anxiety: Frequently touching your mouth, a tight or forced smile, swinging your foot or leg, folding or crossing your arms, slouching and avoiding eye contact. *** Attention Baby Boomers, if your night sight isn’t what it used to be - improving night vision can be as close as your refrigerator! Did you know foods containing beta-carotene help you to see better in dim light Cantaloupe, carrots, collard greens, kale and chicken all help deliver vision boosting Vitamin A! *** Looking for the fountain of youth Try your pillow! Good, deep sleep helps turn back the clock because it sharpens your mind and defuses stress. It also rejuvenates your body. During sleep, your body secretes melatonin, cortisol, and other hormones that help you repair cells and burn fat. *** Do you suffer from frequent backaches Try drinking lots of water! It helps prevent dehydration that can contribute to muscle aches. By drinking eight 8-ounces of water daily, you’ll also flush out acidic wastes that can build up in the tissues & muscles — another contributor to back pain. *** Cut cleaning time in half with these tips: After cleaning grout and tile, rub liquid turtle wax car wax on, and polish when dry. It makes the tiles twice as easy to clean next time. When you clean your refrigerator or freezer, wipe the inside down with straight white vinegar and allow it to air dry. It will discourage future growth of mold and mildew and instantly deodorize your refrigerator. *** Here’s a quick lesson in Napology! A “power nap,” which can clear your brain and increase productivity, is typically only 15 to 20 minutes long. If you’re catching 40 winks on a lunch break, set your cell alarm. A nap longer than a half hour can make you sluggish and defeat the power nap’s purpose! *** Stuffy nose this season Whip up this Vicks Stick clone to clear your sinuses fast! Place one quarter teaspoon of coarse salt in a small glass vial with a tight lid. Add five drops of eucalyptus oil. When the salt absorbs the oil, shake to activate, then open vial and inhale to clear nasal passages. *** Did you know regular maintenance on tools with wooden handles should include treating the wood with linseed occasionally It conditions the wood and helps prevent splinters. Here’s a great tip: If the head of a favorite hammer gets loose, try soaking the hammer overnight in some engine oil. The wood will expand and the hammer will be nice and tight again. *** Spray painting is a quick and easy way to renew old surfaces, but it’s a hassle when the spray can nozzle clogs! Try this trick. Remove the nozzle and put it on a can PAWS Cat of the Week: Valkyrie Take the Hint KAREN TRAINOR of WD 40 or other lubricating oil. Spray it until the clog clears. Be sure to spray out any oil before painting. And old wooden gravy stirrer is great for mixing paint in a bucket. The long handle and ample spool hole allows for even stirring. *** Did you know ordinary sponges do double duty It only takes a few swipes with a damp, clean sponge to remove lint and pet fur from clothes or upholstery. Pop a new sponge it in the freezer for a great pliable and dripfree compress for injuries. And put a damp sponge in a plastic bag with the stems of freshly cut flowers to keep them garden fresh until you use them! *** Your tips can win you a great dinner for two at the historic Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge! Simply send in a hint to be entered into a random drawing. One winner per month will win a fabulous dinner for two (a $60 value) at the renowned restaurant, located on Route 131 across the town common in historic Sturbridge. Because I’m in the business of dispensing tips, not inventing them (although I can take credit for some), I’m counting on you readers out there to share your best helpful hints! Do you have a helpful hint or handy tip that has worked for you Do you have a question regarding household or garden matters If so, why not share them with readers of Stonebridge Press publications Send questions and/or hints to: Take the Hint!, c/o Stonebridge Press, P.O. Box 90, Southbridge, MA 01550. Or e-mail kdrr@aol.com. Hints are entered into a drawing for dinner for two at the historic Publick House Inn. For more great hints, tune into Take the Hint! one minute snippet tips aired on NASH Icon 98.9. And for more tips and talk, be sure to listen to my live hour long show Fridays from 9 to 10 a.m., on WARE 1250. This is Valkyrie! This gorgeous young lady is always up for playing with you or just spending time with you. Her stunning tiger-striped coat quickly catches people’s attention, and her personality will have you wanting to take her home. All Valkyrie wants is to be someone’s forever best friend. Valkyrie loves people, and people seem to love her as well. She’ll distract you from hard times in your life by making you smile with her silly playfulness, and she’ll snuggle up beside you when you just need some quiet company. She’s an intuitive girl who wants to be there for you, no matter how your day went or what mood you may be in. Valkyrie does not enjoy having to stay in her cage at the shelter, and our volunteers can see clearly that she’s longing for a home and a family to call her own. Valkyrie is up-to-date on all her vaccines, tested FIV/FeLV negative and has been spayed. If you would like to adopt Valkyrie and add a new and extremely loving, loyal member to your family, please call the PAWS shelter at (860) 480-1104. Neighbors at Your Service Health & Wellness Intuitive Intergrated BODYWORK Bringing the Body, Mind & Spirit into Balance Reiki + Chakra Balancing + Aromatherapy = Balance Are you feeling stressed De-stress in 1 hour… Make the time because YOU matter! 1 hour sessions $50.00 Call for an appointment. 860-772-8027 32 Providence Rd., Brooklyn, CT Masonry Purveyor of Natural Stone Products THIN VENEER~BUILDING VENEER Wall Stone • Flagging Steppers and more www.NewEnglandStoneSource.com 854 Providence Pike Danielson, CT 860-774-0844 Painting R R Commercial Painting, Inc. 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Villager Newspapers Friday, January 16, 2015 • A13 HGTV host coming to Putnam to build studio on Main Street SMALL continued from page A1 Empty Spaces Project Art Gallery to build a tiny artists studio for the town. “I walked through that town weeks back with my kids and said to myself ‘I could easily live in a town like this.’ It’s one that feels like it’s in the midst of an inspiring reawakening and loaded with good people,” Diedricksen said. Empty Spaces Project co-founders Ann Monteiro and Paul Toussaint accepted his offer and Diedricksen is scheduled to come to Putnam in conjunction with the First Fridays downtown cultural event on Friday, May 1. He’ll give a free presentation and workshop on the value of tiny houses on May 1 in the Empty Spaces Project Art Gallery. And then on Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2, he plans on constructing a tiny artists studio at the gallery. The public is invited to watch him build it. “Can’t wait to get this rolling down the road,” Diedricksen said. Diedricksen’s presentation is expected to bring plenty of art and architectural fans to Putnam and spotlight the non-profit Empty Spaces showcase gallery. The finished product will be a working artist’s studio and will eventually find a home in Putnam. “It’s actually a dream come true,” Toussaint said. “It’s pretty amazing. (Diedricksen) contacted me with this crazy idea and I absolutely said yes.” The Empty Spaces Project Art Gallery provides a venue for artists who might not normally find a place to show their work. With the construction of a local artists studio, a structure will provide a space where artists can be creative. “It’s part of our mission statement. We want to be a big community art center. We want to Krosoczka shows students the art of graphic novels AUTHOR continued from page A1 “Lunch Lady” series that was announced as the inspiration for a film soon to be released by Universal Studios. According to Sue Peyton, a librarian and teacher at Pomfret Community School, having the celebrated graphic novelist and children’s author visit the school was funded through the efforts of the Parent Teacher Organization and the students have actually been reading his works in preparation for his visit. “[We hope that it] increases their love of reading and that they learn about what goes into a graphic novel,” said Peyton. “Fifth grade and under got to see how he does it first hand. We have another author coming for the older kids later in the year. It’s very important and we want them to love reading. The older they get, the more they love it. We want to inspire them.” Inspiration was also the goal of the author himself, as Krosoczka used some of his time with the kids to show his creative process, drawing a graphic novel with the helps of the kids and explaining the editing and thought processes that go into the characters, their designs and their interactions. “I think it’s a very special experience for students to be able to connect with the people that are behind the books that they’re reading in their school library,” said Krosoczka. “It makes it seem like a much more reachable goal and for them if they’re interested in writing and illustrating. It sort of demystifies the whole published author thing for them. It makes it seem like it is an attainable goal.” Krosoczka also includes his earliest work in elementary school in his presentations, showing students that practice makes perfect and that silly drawings can lead to a world of possibilities if they put their minds to it. “When I give the larger lectures I show them the creative process that I take with the books that they’re familiar with so I show them the early drafts of the ‘Lunch Lady’ graphic novels and how the character didn’t look like the first few sketches. I talk about how I get be known all over the world,” Toussaint said. “Our 2015 year is really going to be exciting. We have a lot of great ideas and the wheels are turning.” Toussaint is soliciting local artists and craftsmen to participate in the construction of the tiny artists studio. “Any artist who wants to be a part of this — whether they build a door knob or a door handle, a door knocker — we’ve also got people who want to do some of the interior design,” Toussaint said. “What we always try to do is bring the community together with art. We’re desperately going to need donations. We have a wish list of materials that we need.” Diedricksen’s presentation and workshop on May 1 is expected bring more traffic to the Empty Spaces Project Art Gallery and also boost attendance for that evening’s First Fridays downtown arts fair. “We try to do all our artists feedback from my editor and how I have to edit and revise. It’s important to have the lessons the teachers are already providing them be reinforced by an outsider to their school.” Peyton noted that having an author like Krosoczka take the time to talk with the students and be a part of their learning process is not only a privilege, it’s an important experience that the kids can now take with them through the rest of their educational path to whatever they want to do in life, and for Krosoczka, having the chance to be a part of such presentations is a way for him to validate the teachings of the teachers for the students and show them that what they’re learning is important and how to apply it. As an add on, the author also noted that Pomfret was a very well behaved and engaged group of children to work with that he considered it a pleasure to meet. Jason Bleau may be reached at 508-909-4129, or by e-mail at jason@stonebridgepress.com. receptions the night of First Fridays because it brings in more people to see the artwork on the walls,” Toussaint said. “He’s going to offer a lot of different ideas. We have people already planning on coming from great distances just to see him.” Toussaint is thrilled that Diedricksen will leave behind a working artists studio. Toussaint and Monteiro haven’t yet found a spot for the studio. “We don’t know what we’re going to do with it yet. We like to give new artists their first gallery experience and now we’ll have a studio,” Toussaint said. “Some of the ideas that are running through our head are putting the studio on the water. Or we can put it in a tree as a giant tree house. It’s going to be solar-powered and self-sufficient and be lit up at night. An artist can go inside and paint. They can read. They can take a nap. We want to make it a both a tourist attraction as well as something for Putnam.” Toussaint and Monteiro said Diedricksen contacted them with this “crazy” little idea and they accepted. The co-founders of the Empty Spaces Project are always on the lookout for an outsized idea. Big things, as they say, sometimes come in small packages. “I kind of get a little nervous sometimes. I’m kind of thinking how can we do something bigger and better next time What’s going to be the next big thing What can we do in the gallery” Toussaint said. “Stuff like this comes along — which really makes us want to get up in the morning and do what we do. We are always looking, and open, for ideas for something bigger and better. Really the sky’s the limit.” Charlie Lentz may be reached at (860) 928-1818, ext. 110, or by e-mail at charlie@villagernewspapers.com. TLGV announces new and improved recreation guide TLGV continued from page A1 The Last Green Valley every year. “It’s going to tell everything about the state forests that we have and the federal parks and forests in The Last Green Valley with details so that when a family wants to plan a day they know if they can get through the terrain or if it will be a real challenging hike,” Dawley said. “They’ll know how many acres and how many trails. It’ll be a real stepping stone of where to plan what you want to do.” The guide will feature hiking trails, bike trails, paddle and swimming locations and shops as well as restaurants, hotels and accommodations, museum locations and farms to provide a little bit of something for everyone. According to Dawley, the yearly guide has served as a tool for planning “staycations” and local trips for many in the National Heritage Corridor and serves as an introduction to those who may be unfamiliar with what the region has to offer. Dawley added that it was important for The Last Green Valley to have local businesses involved as well. “These are people that work hard and go out and enjoy the weekend and paddles and hike themselves, but they’re businesses they work so hard on are also something to be discovered so we want to include them as well as historical societies that are always putting on great programming as well. We want it to be all inclusive,” she said. The Last Green Valley is currently seeking input from land trusts, conservation commissions and any other organization in the communities of the National Heritage Corridor to add any locations to the growing list of highlights the guide will provide. The deadline for payment is Feb. 13, so there is still time for businesses and organization to get involved by contacting The Last Green Valley in Danielson. “We really want to make sure everyone knows where they can go,” said Dawley. “Conservations and land trusts have these properties that are open to the public, but you don’t really know how to get there until someone takes you. That’s why I’ve always loved Walktober because I meet there with a group of people and we go on a hike and then I’ll know exactly where I’m going and what kind of terrain is there. It helps people know what to do and get comfortable doing it and it enhances the quality of life so much.” While the guide is still very much in its infancy, Dawley did say that their goal is to release it in April and to accompany that release with an aggressive campaign to distribute it to a widespread market and share the many attractions of The Last Green Valley and the National Heritage Corridor far and wide. Jason Bleau may be reached at 508-909- 4129, or by e-mail at jason@stonebridgepress.com. CheCk out these loCal hot spots this weekend! Open 7 days lunch & dinner Open early on Saturday for Breakfast Fri Nite 1/16: Steve Malec & Electric Flood Sat Nite 1/17: MillRats DINING & Entertainment Wise Guys Team Trivia Tuesday Nites 8-10pm Roadhouse Blues Jam EVERY Sunday 3-7 Sun Roadhouse Blues Hosted by Ricky King Russell 3-7pm Order your Wings here for the Big Game! 2168 Putnam Pike (Rt. 44), Chepachet, RI 02859 401-568-4102 S HERWOOD’ S RESTAURANT & BAR On the WOOdstOck / Putnam Line! Little River Plaza • 35 Rt 171, South Woodstock, CT 06267 860-963-2080 Karaoke-Saturday Nights @ 9PM Baby Back Ribs • Steaks • Fresh Seafood Angus Burgers • Full Bar ~ OPEN 7 DAYS at NOON ~ FREE Try something NEW This Year! Head over to Sherwood’s & enjoy our new menu items and seasonal cocktails! Only a short 20 minute drive from the Massachusetts border down Route 169! Select Appetizer with any 2 Entree Purchases Not to be combined with any other offer. Limit one per table. Must present coupon upon ordering. Villager Exp. 2/1/15 Now on tap! Come enjoy a warm meal with family or friends by the fire! Buy One, Get One FREE Visit the Publick House on any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday for Lunch or Dinner. Offer valid only on Mon., Tues., & Wed. Not valid with any other coupon, discount or promotion. Not applicable to groups or private events. Lower priced entree will be complimentary. Not available for take-out. This certificate has no cash value. Excludes all holidays. * Offer ends 1/31/15. Publick House Historic Inn ~ 277 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566 Visit www.publickhouse.com for more information or call 508-347-3313
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