Clearview Teens Celebrate Anti-Valentine's Day

No one disputes the wondrous power of love and the feeling of euphoria it can create. Indeed, when Chaucer introduced the idea of modern Valentine's greetings, he may have been fully aware of the endurance of this holiday. Some, however, believe that Saint Valentine's Day has grown too commercial; it is more about consumerism than the power of love. Some also believe that Singles Awareness Day (SAD) puts too much pressure on those who are not currently in a relationship. And so, in less an act of defiance against society's norms and more in the name of good fun, the Clearview Teens celebrated Anti-Valentine's Day. They decorated cupcakes with black frosting, played "Guess This Celebrity Ex-Couple," and altered the covers of romance novels to their liking. It just goes to show that roses and candlelight dinners aren't the only ways to have fun on February 14th.

VITA/TCE Tax Assistance

The VITA/TCE Tax Assistance program is a free tax preparation service available to low and middle income taxpayers (under $50,000 of income or over 60 years of age with routine tax returns). Returns are prepared by IRS Certified Volunteers. Services provided include free electronic filing of Federal and State tax returns. To assist in the tax preparation, please bring the following with you:

* Government issued photo ID

* Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letters for you, your spouse and any dependents

* Copy of 2010 Tax return if available

* Voided check for direct deposit of your refund to your checking account

* All Income and expense documentation including, but not limited to: W-2s, retirement and Social Security income; all 1099s showing other income such as interest, dividends, brokerage statements; cash income, prizes and awards, alimony paid or received; college tuition and student loan interest statements and proof of education expenses; mortgage company interest statements, property tax bills, charitable contribution statements

Reservations are not accepted, registration is on a first come, first served basis until preparation capacity for the day is reached, so come early!

VITA/TCE Tax Assistance is available at the Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3^rd Street on Mondays only from February 6 – April 9, 4-7pm.

Please note there will be no tax assistance on Monday, February 20.

Reprinted with permission, Windsor Beacon.

Graphic Novels

"Did you know the library has a large collection of graphic novels? Do you know what a graphic novel is? Essentially, they are the modern day comic book; some are original stories with many words, some with few, all with pictures or drawings. Some are adaptations of classic or modern novels, movies, plays, video games etc. The following list are the most recently added to the library but we have many, many more. There are also child-appropriate graphic novels shelved in the kid's department as well as a large selection of Japanese-style manga."

New Graphic Novels

“Americas” - M.K. Reed

“Any Empire” - Nate Powell

“Armed Garden and Other Stories, The” - B. David

“Art of War, The” - Sun Tzu

“Bad Island” - Doug TenNapel

“Batman: Noel” - Lee Bermejo

“Beowolf” - Sidong Li

“Bride’s Story, A (Volumes 1 & 2)” - Kaoru Mori

“Canterbury Tales” - Seymour Chwast

“Canterville Ghost, The” - Sean Michael Wilson

“Cowboys & Aliens” - Fred Van Lente

“Dungeons & Dragons: Shadowplague” - John Rogers

“Fables: The Deluxe Edition: Book One” - Bill Willingham

“Farm 54” - Galit Seliktar

“Feynman” - Jim Ottaviani

Reprinted with permission, Windsor Beacon.

Volunteer of the Month: Lyn and Tess

Lyn Stevens was one of the first volunteers in the Windsor Severance library’s PAWS program which started 5 years ago. Lyn and Tess come every Thursday after school and read with children of all ages. Tess is always the “best dressed” dog at the library. She wears colorful collars that coordinate with the seasons. Lyn says that Tess “loves to get dressed up in her jazzy collars and leashes!” She also loves to be petted by the children and library staff.

In her free time, Lyn enjoys reading, sports, cooking, gardening and walking her two dogs, Tess and Troon. Lyn volunteers with Troon by taking him on Therapy Dog visits at care facilities for the elderly. Lyn also volunteers for 2 other non-profit groups.

Lyn, Tess and Troon live in Windsor with Lyn’s husband Tom and their Siamese cat Sawyer.

Lyn said one of the things she enjoys about volunteering at the library is being read to by the children. She hears so many wonderful stories that she wouldn’t hear otherwise.

Lyn’s favorite books are The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. Lyn especially enjoys mysteries.

Her favorite movies include The English Patient, Out of Africa, Dr. Zhivago, the Parent Trap (the original version), Gone with the Wind, The Harry Potter movies and the Beverly Hills Cop movies.

Lyn and Tess help make the Windsor Severance Library a special place. Thank you, Lyn, from the library staff and patrons for your wonderful service. The library is lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer.

Reprinted with permission, Windsor Beacon.