Spring cleaning for bicycles

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Now that spring has officially begun, a lot of you are probably wondering how to get your bike ready for the road, since you’ve left it in the garage or chained to the porch all winter. When it comes to bicycles, most of you are probably not as crazy as I am. I was like the US mail – neither snow, nor sleet, nor hail could stop me. That left my bike in need of a spring clean-up. I tracked down Jamie McDonald, the owner of Sunrise Cyclery, to show me what’s probably broken or rusted through over the long winter. Continue Reading

St. Paul Parks offer help with fees

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Because of the hard times facing families, St. Paul will offer families help in paying fees for children to participate in St. Paul Parks & Recreation activities. Starting April 1, famlies can pick up applications at all St. Paul recreation centers and on the Parks website. Continue Reading

Minneapolis: April 3 property tax appeal deadline

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Minneapolis property owners have only until April 3 to file appeals fromt eh assessor’s valuation of their homes or other real estate. With home prices nosediving over the past year, many homeowners feel their assessments overstate the real value of their property. For details and forms to appeal, see the Board of Appeal and Equalization website. According to the website:
The City of Minneapolis Board of Appeal and Equalization hears appeals from property owners who disagree with the City’s assessed value of their property. The three-member Board is made up of one realtor, one appraiser and one home owner.The Board meets April 21 through May 1, 2009. Continue Reading

Your Turn: Where should St. Paul schools cut?

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St. Paul Public Schools face a massive deficit, and cuts will be made. Do you think that the district should reduce funding for English Language Learner programs or for Special Education programs? Should the district increase fees for playing football or cut funding for varsity sports? Should the district consider going to a four-day week, as some rural districts have done, or is that an impossible schedule for working parents? Continue Reading

April 15 is approaching; get your taxes done for free

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Tax payers often dread the April 15 deadline but some do not have enough money to hire a professional to prepare their taxes for them. Free help is out there, and yes they are professionals. There are a number of places in the Twin Cities that provide a service to those who are eligible for free tax preparation assistance. Some tax payers know about free tax preparation assistance but they are not sure if it is legitimate. “I wish that [people] knew that we actually know what we’re doing,” Asli Egal, Somali Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Revenue, said. Continue Reading

Don’t even think about it

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Have you received an e-mail from the IRS lately? I have. They have been arriving a couple of times every week for at least a month. This is what they look like:
From: nonereply@irs.govSubject: please see the attachmentDate: February 27, 2009 9:19:42 AM CSTTo: editor@tcdailyplanet.netPlease see the attachment make sure you fill all the columns and send fax to: +1-646-308-1145. Of course, the IRS doesn’t send emails like this. Continue Reading

Extra! Extra! Write all about it!

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St. Paul stories and poems wanted, 600 words or fewer.E-mail stories/poems to editor@saintpaulalmanac.comMore information at http://saintpaulalmanac.com/submissions.shtmlDeadline: March 31st, 2009 Continue Reading

What’s the scoop on weatherization and tax credits?

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The federal stimulus legislation provides for funding for many green initiatives. Some of these can help homeowners and builders. Here’s where to go for information on weatherization and on energy efficiency tax credits:
Weatherization assistance is available primarily to low income households. Check the Minnesota Commerce Department web site for details on qualifying. Federal tax credits for energy efficiency are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
Windows and DoorsInsulationRoofs (Metal and Asphalt)HVACWater Heaters (non-solar)Biomass Stoves
Federal tax credits for energy efficiency are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for:
Geothermal Heat PumpsSolar PanelsSolar Water HeatersSmall Wind Energy SystemsFuel Cells Continue Reading

Tis the season for scams

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The letter arrived at our house this week — “You are the 3rd GRAND PRIZE WINNER for the Readers Digest Sweepstakes; your total winnings are $150,000.” Even better, the letter had a check in it for $3,086.75, “which covers insurance, handling, duty and taxes fees,” and a number to call to arrange to deposit the check, and pay the servicing fee to receive the full $150,000 jackpot. Luckily, I had read about the scam a couple of weeks ago. As snopes.com explains, the letter is a classic scam: The scammers send checks to their victims, and tell them to deposit the check and send the sum to an agency that handles the transfer, either for fees associated with preparation of the paperwork or to pay taxes associated with the win. The checks bounce after deposit, “leaving the suckers out the value of the fees they mailed off to those running the con. Continue Reading