Dewey and Bledsoe-Miller
Wellness Rooms
If your New Year’s resolutions involve exercising more, don’t forget
about Dewey and Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center wellness rooms.
The recreation centers are an affordable alternative to fitness
club memberships.
The cost is $20 for 30 card punches or $1 a day. The fitness equipment
includes elliptical cross trainers, treadmills, bikes, free weights
and weight machines.
The recreation centers are open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday
– Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
You must be 18 or older to workout. For more information, contact
Bledsoe-Miller at 750-8684 or Dewey at 750-8677.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Employee Luncheon
Tickets are still available for the annual City Employee Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day celebration luncheon. The deadline to purchase
tickets is tomorrow, Jan. 9.
This year’s event is scheduled for Jan. 13 at noon in the Brazos
Room at the Waco Convention Center. Music will be provided by Ronald
Rush, Parks & Recreation. The menu includes grilled chicken or meatloaf,
mashed potatoes, green beans, garden salad, roll, dessert and drink
for $8.
Take-out meals will be available for those unable to attend the
program. Those who attend will have the opportunity to win door
prizes and participate in a silent auction.
Tickets are available through the City Secretary’s Office or call
750-5750 to find a committee representative working near your department
offices.
Sweets and Sweethearts
Sweets and Sweethearts at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
returns this Valentine’s Day from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy an evening
of live classical music as you walk through the exhibits.
There will be a tasting of handmade chocolates and beverages.
Guests can bid on the silent auction items.
Come before or after your Valentine’s dinner with your sweetheart
or a group of friends. Each guest receives a commemorative wine
glass.
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available
Jan. 15. For more information, contact the museum staff at 750-8631.
Do Well, Be Well With Diabetes Class
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District and the Texas Agrilife
Extension Service are hosting the “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes”
self-management series.
Lessons will cover topics such as diet planning, nutrition, medications,
exercise and managing diabetes complications. The class will consist
of 10 lessons covered in 5 sessions.
Classes will be held at the Waco McLennan County Public Health
District from 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 12, 14, 21, 26 & 28.
The class is free of charge, but fills up quickly, so call Kelly
Thompson at 750-5461 to register.
If you'd like to submit information for the City Talk Newsletter,
you can send an email to: marlenen@ci.waco.tx.us
or call 750-5638.
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From City Manager
Larry D. Groth
Some of our employees could receive an extra $438
to $4,824 by taking advantage of a tax credit known as “Earned
Income Credit” when filing their income taxes this year. This
is a special tax benefit for hard working families like yours.
Claiming your tax break is a simple process and
there are some wonderful community volunteers willing to help
those who need assistance in filing the necessary paperwork. Additionally,
if you didn’t claim this credit on your 2006 or 2007 taxes you
may be eligible to get even more money back.
Taxpayers who receive the tax credit could use the
money to pay off credit card debt, replace major appliances or
furniture in their homes, go on a family vacation or even use
the money for a down payment on their first home. It’s your money,
you’ve earned it. All you need to do is claim it!
I want to warn you to avoid losing money through
Refund Advance Loans. Some tax preparation centers charge hundreds
of dollars for a rapid refund and then offer high interest loans.
As an alternative, free tax preparation assistance
centers are set up at the Harrison Center, Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, Central Library, NeighborWorks Waco, R.B. Hoover Library,
Providence Hospital and A.J. Moore Academy. The hours are listed
on page 3 of this newsletter.
Here’s information to consider in determining whether
you’ll qualify for an EITC credit:
-
Workers raising one qualifying child with a
2008 family income of less than $33,995 (or $36,995 married
filing jointly) can get an EITC up to $2,917;
-
Workers raising more than one qualifying child
with a 2008 family income less than $38,646 (or $41,646 for
married filing jointly) can get an EITC up to $4,824;
-
Workers aged between 25 and 64 on Dec. 31, 2007,
not raising children, with a 2008 income below $12,880 (or $15,880
for married filing jointly) can get an EITC up to $438.
The claim process is simple. I encourage you to
claim what you have already earned both this year and possibly for
the tax years 2006 and 2007. You Earned It, So Claim it. Please
share this information with anyone you know that may qualify.
List of Free Tax Preparation
Centers
AARP Sites:
Harrison Center, 1718 North 42nd St.
Opens March 17
Tuesday & Thursday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NeighborWorks Waco, 922 Franklin Ave.
Opens Jan. 26
Monday - Thursday: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2710 Speight
Open Jan. 28
Wednesday - Friday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Waco McLennan County Library, 1717 Austin Ave.
Opens Feb. 3
Tuesday & Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Providence Hospital, 6901 Medical Parkway
Opens Feb. 2
Monday & Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
R. B. Hoover Branch Library, 1428 Wooded Acres
Dr.
Opens Feb. 2
Monday & Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hewitt Community Center, 208 Chama
Opens Feb. 2
Monday: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites
include:
A.J. Moore School Library, 500 N. University
Parks
Open Jan. 22 - April 15
Closed Spring Break - March 9, 10, 12
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information about the tax preparation
centers, call NeighborWorks at 752-1647.
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