Tax Time and more Money Smarts and booktalks at the library

The IRS wants your tax return by April 17.

by Images_of_Money at Flickr

If you are unable to make that deadline, you have options.  Here's a bit of explanation about what is due today, and here's some information on how to get an extension on the deadline.  Remember, you can file the extension online, right now.

In preparation for the rest of this year, why not stop by Ruidoso Public Library Thursday for our Money Smart presentation?  From 4-5pm on April 19, Aimee Bennet of Lincoln County's Health Office will explore how your health choices today affect your money needs in the future.

Friday and Saturday mornings have author presentations.  April 20, Jerry Welch shares his book again, Corporacracy, and April 21 sees Gary Cozzens latest book on Capitan.

Budgeting for end of life choices, anorexia discussion, & Rainwater Harvesting @your Library

This week, the Money Smart presentation is by Danny Sisson of La Grone Funeral Chapel.  On Thursday from 4-5 pm he will explore the costs involved in funerals and memorials.  The US Federal Trade Commission and the library being a public/government building puts Mr Sisson in a bit of a tight spot.  The FTC requires any funeral director to provide a list of costs upon request; at the same time, the library cannot look like it is supporting any one company or providing advertising space.  So, this is a great session to learn the general issues of what to ask about and how to plan, but if you have specific questions about La Grone's specific prices, we ask that you contact Danny at a later time and place.  Thank you for understanding.

Another possibility to consider, that may be planet wise as well as financially smart, is Green Funerals. I talked with my mom about several variations and she remains open to (as she puts it) "whatever is easiest for you" (since I'll be there).  I know funerals and death are very difficult topics of conversation, but as a daughter, I am grateful my parents bit the bullet and let me know a few of their feelings.  Sometimes the discussions happened while driving to or from a memorial service, other times just when driving past a cemetery.  Just don't let it get you down for too long.

Friday at 10 am, local author Carol Keys will discuss her books, "Sharing Moments Over Tea" & "Behind Her Smile: A Mother's Walk Through Her Daughter's Anorexia."  


Saturday morning, Jim Miller will share his presentation on Rainwater Harvesting.  This information is often part of a course he teaches at ENMU-Ruidoso, so if you haven't made that yet, this is a great introduction.  Calculate how much rainwater your roof collects. Decide how many gallons your showers or landscape could use in a year.  Bring your questions.

On a lighter note, Spring has sprung at the library!

Game Wardens and a 9/11 responder this week (also an update on One Click Digital for Apple)

Thursday, 4pm, meet two of New Mexico's Game Wardens at the library.  They will explore some of the local wildlife and answer your questions.  Children welcome, too.

Image at NM Dept of Game and Fish

Do you have a nuisance animal?  What is a safe practice around squirrels?  Come found out!

Image at Amazon

Friday morning at 10 am, local Bill Dement will discuss his book, Delay, Deny, Hope They Die. This is the story of a disabled 9/11 first responder, a former police Lieutenant, N.Y.P.D., who describes himself as an Ordinary Joe.  Learn about the man, two days shy of completing the retirement home he was building in New Mexico, who responded to the World Trade Center disaster. It vividly depicts his months at Ground Zero and more.  


If you have an Apple computer or product, this may be the update you've been waiting for.  One Click Digital has a new release of the Download Manager and the directions for MacIntosh/Apple users to work around within their own systems. 

Apple/Mac updates to One-Click Digital e-audiobooks, virtual book clubs, local author Events, and Downton Abbey reads

At last, One Click Digital has released instructions for Apple/Macintosh users. If you use an Apple or Mac to access the internet, please email me at jenniferstubbs at ruidoso hyphen nm dot gov, and I will reply with the directions as a pdf attachment.  If you are looking for the instructions to begin using One Click Digital, they can be found in the column to the right under "e Audiobook How to."  Just last week I tried downloading two books on my machine at home, without luck. But when I tried again the next day, both were just fine.  Que sera sera, no?

If audiobooks aren't your thing, how about an online book club?  Huffington Post has set up a site, along with a Twitter #tag if you prefer, for HuffPo editors and readers to share reactions to The Tiger's Wife.  The site discussion has only covered the first 4 chapters, though the second part, chapters 5-8, should be up this week--or take the initiative and begin filling the comments yourself.

Online or virtual book clubs allow you to participate when it fits your schedule.  My favorite aspect is how I can skip over comments that feel repetitive or non-productive, while focusing on those with insight from perspectives I missed. (Can you tell I have a patience problem?)  If you have any comments on virtual book clubs (Have you tried one?  Would you give it a try?), please add them to this post's comments.

If local, live events are your interest Ruidoso Public Library offers two this week. Wednesday, 2pm, Jamie Slack (a local author) will talk about the memoir process, especially from a drawing/visual perspective.  She will also sign her book, Now Here's a Thought: A Playful Journal About Life.

Saturday at 11 am, Steven H. Havill (formerly a local English teacher) will discuss and sign his newest book in the Posadas County Mysteries, One Perfect Shot. (Portions of both sales benefit the Friends of the Library.)

Finally, if one hour of Downton Abbey leaves you craving more history and drama, the library has several title suggestions to help fill the six days between (just ask for Jennifer and let me know if you prefer fiction or fact).