Is 60 Elderly?
It is for Free Tax Help
We can debate if 60 is elderly, but don’t let that keep you from getting free help. We’re all about programs that save money, even those that sound a bit insulting.
That’s how we’re looking at the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program that offers free tax and related pension and retirement help for folks 60 and older.
Another program, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), provides assistance to people who generally earn $57,000 or less, have disabilities or have limited English-speaking abilities.
The VITA/TCE sites are staffed by IRS-trained volunteers, many sponsored by local agencies. Find out where to go and what to bring by calling 800-906-9887 or visit irs.gov.
As an aside, AARP runs most of the region’s TCE sites for low- to moderate-income people through the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. Learn more by calling 888-227-7669 or go to aarp.org and click the Tax Aide Locator link.
Dark Park,
Bright Skies
Some of the darkest skies in Ohio are at Geauga County’s Observatory Park, making it a terrific place to do wintertime stargazing.
The 1,100-acre park is an International Dark Sky Park, the only one in Ohio and one of about 100 worldwide. The Geauga Park District not only protects the park’s skies from light pollution, it also runs sky viewing programs there throughout the year.
Grab a coat and a pair of warm boots and see what’s up at Observatory Park. Even better, sign up for a park district program at geaugaparkdistrict.org.
For those of you keeping track, January’s Full Wolf Moon is the 17th. The Full Snow Moon is February 16.
Wheel-Ready
Roadies
Ohio’s newly launched older driver campaign is twofold: to keep us behind the wheel as long as it’s safe and to get us off the road when it isn’t.
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Tapped In
A New Shoe Move
Reading a book. Sipping coffee. Playing cards. Some activities are best done seated. Dancing typically isn’t one of them.
Enter Westlake’s Melissa Renner. The owner of Active for Life Fitness found that many of her older fitness clients and others with disabilities enjoyed tap dancing but were unable to participate because of limited mobility. So she invented a shoe cover that’s easy to slip on over both regular and orthopedic shoes. The best part? It’s got metal tap discs on the bottom that permit users to tap dance from the security of a chair.
Renner also invented a mitt with hand taps for people who are unable to use their legs or feet.
“I’ve witnessed seniors suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia go from non-verbal and seemingly unaware of their surroundings to tap dancing while seated — all in one class. The stories and examples are moving. And after the isolation this population has endured due to COVID, I’d like to … spotlight how significant dance is for the mind and soul,” Renner says.
You can find Renner’s products at activeforlifefitness.com
Keven Scarpino
Keeps His Ghoul
Like a lot of kids, Keven Scarpino was part of the first generation of television viewers, and early TV in Northeast Ohio was some of the best in the country.
Scarpino’s first autograph was from his hero, Ernie “Ghoulardi” Anderson, and Keven made up his mind that he wanted to be an entertainer, too. He developed a character, a horror host, who was quick to tell his audience just how bad his “dumpster-to-screen” films were but added his own comedy bits to keep people watching.
“The Son of Ghoul” show premiered on Canton’s WOAC. Scarpino never thought it would last more than 13 weeks. That was on June 13, 1986, and since that time, he’s never been off the air.
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Winging It;
The Audubon Bird Count
If you like watching birds and you can count reasonably well, then sign up for the 121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count Dec. 14-Jan. 5. Groups have formed throughout Northeast Ohio, a prime bird-watching region because of our proximity to Lake Erie.
The Christmas Bird Counts go into a database where scientists use the information to monitor the vitality and range of cardinals, blue jays, dark-eyed juncos and other feathered friends.
Join a local group, count on your own or watch the bird feeder in your back yard, depending on where you live and how many people are counting. Register at audubon.org.
Boom Time for Hometown Gifts
Like many of us, Deby Lexow gave locally-milled pancake mix, maple syrup and other Northeast Ohio products to friends and family for the holidays.
Unlike all of us, she created a business out of her generous habit.
Lexow started LOCLE Box six years ago, tracking down Ohio-made products from small-batch artisans so she could assemble ready-made and custom gift boxes.
“I love finding new makers for products that we include in our gift boxes. Before COVID, we traveled to farmers markets to find Ohio-made products and goodies. And now, we find new makers mostly through referrals and Etsy,” Lexow says.
“We have pretty strict criteria to be included in the LOCLE Box family. Number one, the product must be outstanding – either a delicious edible or an incredibly well-made bath product or kitchen tool or a beautifully designed card or craft,” she says.
All makers have to be an actual business with a website or an Etsy shop so customers can contact them if they want to buy more items. In addition, all comply with state regulations and food standards. See Deby’s boxes at LOCLEBox.com.
Whiners, it’s Your Time to Shine
Fill in the blank: 2020 has been a __________.
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