Stories
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By Mickie Douglas
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Salt Lake City
As the nation’s most successful domestic program, Social Security is something worth learning more about. That’s why the representatives at Social Security are available to share news and information about the programs and how they work.
Whether you are representing a club or an employer’s human resources department, an advocacy organization or a community association — if you have a large meeting or event coming up and you’d like to have a representative speak, please submit your request to us online at www.socialsecurity.gov/organizations.
We can speak on an array of topics, such as
• retirement, and how to prepare;
• pre-retirement, and how to get an estimate of future retirement benefits;
• disability, how it can help, who is eligible, and how to apply;
• wage reporting for small businesses and employers;
• work incentives for people with disabilities who want to work;
• how Social Security can provide extra help with Medicare...
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One of the biggest challenges facing a parent is to help their children take responsibility or ownership of whatever they are involved in. This could include a team, organization, society and especially their family. I’m not the greatest teacher when it comes to a selfless work ethic around the house. According to my brother, who hired my son to help him with his development business, my son didn’t even know how to properly use a shovel or rack. I guess I should have had him dig up the front lawn a couple of times to get the hang of it. Instead I let my brother pay him to learn under his tutelage.
The best way to say it is that our children are spoiled brats – they didn’t learn some of the normal family duties because we just did it for them. We know some parents that require their kids to do their own laundry, this just seems like a way to wreck your clothes so you would have to buy some new ones. Our teenage daughter thinks that if you happen to be starting the car – you might as well go to the mall to get...
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There's good news for Americans who want help getting a handle on their finances. The official government website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics of financial education, www.mymoney.gov, is now loaded with more information and is even easier to use.
The new site has enhanced interactive features and provides more resources to Americans seeking information that can help their personal financial decisions.
The new www.mymoney.gov website creates an online point of access to financial information from the 21 federal agencies, departments, and bureaus -- including Social Security -- that comprise the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. Visitors to the site can find information about how to plan, financially, for a host of life events, such as the birth or adoption of a child, home ownership , or retirement. Users also can find information targeted to their personal or professional situation. For instance, the site offers resources for teachers, military service members, women, parents,...
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Friday morning, May 7th, 2010, as the snow was melting off a plowed field east of Preston, Idaho, I observed an unusual weather phenomenon. As I was taking pictures, I noticed that the steam that was rising from the field was rotating upward like a dust devil. Dust devils are very common, but this was something that I had never seen before or heard about.
So I e-mailed a photo to ABC4 News in Salt Lake City. Neil Opperman, Weather Producer, Meterorologist, KTVX/KUCW replied and informed me that this was a steam devil and gave me a link to research it. They also included it on the 10 o'clock weather news Friday night.
So a steam devil is a rotating column of rising air, formed as bitterly cold air is heated by unfrozen water. In this instance it was the dark plowed field that was warming up in the sun and melting the snow. Moisture evaporating from the water surface then condenses in the colder air and slightly lowered pressure in the vortex.
I enjoyed the dancing columns of steam as they disipated into...
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By Mickie Douglas
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Salt Lake City UT
We’ve been telling people how quick and easy it is to apply for Medicare benefits online — even if you’re not ready to apply for retirement benefits.
And our celebrity spokespeople — the television family of The Patty Duke Show — have been spreading the word in a series of public service announcements. Reunite with television’s favorite identical cousins, and the whole family, at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.
But perhaps the best advocates we have for the online Medicare application are the people who are using the application and discovering that it really does take less than 10 minutes. Just ask your average John.
John from Wisconsin told us, “filing for Medicare online was simple and I couldn't believe what little time it took to complete."
John from Indiana said, “This month I filed for Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov. Filing online took less than five minutes from start to finish. Finding the place to start...
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Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program, will now be able to purchase food, vegetables plants, and seeds at the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market, encouraging SNAP households to buy delicious, nutritious, locally grown and produced foods. SNAP benefits are issued to households with income less that 130% of poverty. Since 2005, there has been a 71% increase in the number of households in Cache Valley that are participating in the SNAP program. With the number of SNAP recipients increasing over the last few years as a result of the economic downturn, and First Lady Michele Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative which promotes healthy eating, the CVGM board saw a need to provide local residents using the SNAP program with the opportunity to make purchases at the weekly market, which runs from May 8 to October 16, 2010. Located at Merlin Olsen Park, 100 South, in Logan, the market opens at 9:00a.m. and ends at 1:00p.m. every Saturday of the season. From...
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Being a Farmer can be considered a tough occupation at times, especially when mother nature plays mean tricks on you.
My Uncle's good ol' farm truck took quite a beating Tuesday night during those windstorms, when (while parked in one of our hay barns) the wind knocked over three 700 lb hay bales on top of her. I was rather surprised because I really was convinced that all Ford trucks are invincible (they still are, don't let this situation tell you otherwise).
The worst part was that this old truck (1982)only had 30,000 original miles on her, so she was essentially still new. The costs to fix her outweigh what she's worth, so we're gonna have to put her down.
Seriously though, we're currently looking for a new cab for the frame. Optimistically we're just fortunate she isn't a Dodge, because that would have been a COMPLETE loss. Good ol' Mother Nature....
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Saturday, April 24th, 2010 at the Preston High School Gymnasium, there were clowns, a ringmaster, circus peanuts, and BLOODSUCKERS! Maybe not the kind in the Twilight movies, but people were willingly paying to have their blood taken. The Health and Wellness Expo 2010 sponsored by the Franklin County Medical Center was in full swing with the theme “Under the Big Top of Health”.
It was a fun time for all. Activities for the young and old alike, prizes to be won, and many booths to educate us in many ways to help with better health and safety. One of the exhibitors was the Franklin County Farm Bureau Women's Committee. They had a safety exhibit, provided items to help with safety, and you could register to win two ATV helmets donated by Northstar's Ultimate Outdoors.
If you missed it this year, be sure to make it a priority to attend next year.
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i just love my mobile phone. Here i would share some info on mobiles and if you have anything to say feel free to post.
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During a short family vacation to Hagerman Valley west of Twin Falls, Idaho, we visited the many sites that the area has to offer. But would you expect to find huge alligators swimming in an outdoor pool in March? That is exactly what you can expect at Leo Ray's Fish Processors, Inc. fish farm.
During my first visit to see the alligators a few years ago I walked up to the chain link fence that separates humans from alligators declaring to my family , “Wow, look at the huge alligators!” I was looking at the ones in the pond, and they thought that I meant the 12-foot alligator against the chain link fence at my feet. Needless to say, I almost had a heart attack! Thank heavens that it did not move and I put some distance between us.
The fish farm began raising alligators in 1994 to eliminate the 7000 pounds of dead fish a day and 15 million pounds of waste. This way a profit can also be made from selling alligator meat and skins. This was taking your garbage disposal to a new level of "green" recycling....
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Wednesday evening around 10:00 pm on March 24 east of Preston, Idaho straight up into the night sky, was the moon. Not that unusual, but the fact that there was a very large ring of light surrounding the moon made it a very interesting site.
So I Googled 'ring around the moon' and found some interesting information. Ice crystals in the upper atmosphere reflecting light make this phenomenon appear. Folklore regarding the ring around the moon signifies bad weather is coming. It is believed that the number of stars within a moon halo predict the number of days before bad weather will arrive. In my photo I found two stars within the halo. Today is Friday and we are having snow as I type this. Interesting...!? Technically, the ice crystals that cover the halo signify high altitude, thin cirrus clouds that typically precede a warm front by one or two days.
Upon looking straight up into the night sky, I could not help to admire how large this moon and ring was. The photo does not do it justice as far as...
(0 votes)Photos courtesy Gordon Anderson with appreciation for permission to use in this post: Fire doesn’t strike in my home town very often, at least structure fires don’t. When they do occur, it’s an event so in-frequent that it leaves a lasting memory. I can remember a fire that I watched when I was very young. I remember my mom loading us in the car and we drove the few blocks to watch the fire department battle the flames. My dad was on the department back then. Maybe mom went to keep an eye out for him and see if he was okay, more than to watch the struggle. Now I am a member of the department. I think my wife feels that same way even though she doesn’t make her way to watch – she just worries from a distance. A memory that stands out is the last time our town experienced the loss of a home to fire. Almost 4 years ago, the slumber of many a firefighter was interrupted to answer the call. A home in our sleepy little community was burning, its occupant alerted to the dangerous situation... 
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Kyle Jaussi in Smithfield is energetically forcing spring in his back yard. A snowblower eradicates over one foot of snow on his garden spot. Talk about Spring Fever!
Doesn't hurt to give Mother Nature a little nudge, right?
Sent in by Marilyn Jaussi
535 S 120 E
Smithfeild, Utah 84335
Ph, 563-2586
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An iron catepiller with 64 wheels?!
Well it might not be a catepiller, but it does have 64 wheels.
This week on highway 91 traveling north towards Preston, I came across an interesting site. I call it an iron catepiller. What it really is, I don't know. But I do know that it was VERY, VERY big and required 64 wheels to transport it down the highway.
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By Mickie Douglas
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Salt Lake City UT
In support of President Barack Obama’s Transparency and Open Government initiative, Social Security has launched a new Open Government webpage.
The new webpage serves as the portal for all agency activities that support the President’s Transparency and Open Government initiative. It’s open for the public at www.socialsecurity.gov/open.
“Our new Open Government webpage gives Americans an opportunity to give us their ideas on how we can become a more open and transparent agency,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “They will be able to post their ideas on transparency, participation, collaboration, and innovation that should be included in our Open Government Plan. I encourage everyone to visit our webpage and submit their ideas, read and discuss what has been posted, and vote on the ideas that have been submitted."
Anyone is welcome to submit ideas. To send us yours, click on the link at the top right of...
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I've kind of gotten addicted to PBS's "Larkrise to Candelford". I thought Daqus was being just plain old way too hard to get, especially in view of all the grand gestures of her latest suitor, the returned local boy made good who has built a hotel in town. For crying out loud, Daqus, I was saying; I can understand you're being particular but here you are at strike three and maybe your last shot at romance. And here he's built that town clock just to impress you, given the heave ho to his former and I might add stinking rich flame, and in so doing, surrendered up a fortune in lucrative properties. And then on top of that he's been letting his remaining business go to pot out of pining for you. Don't you get the message? Just what does a guy have to do to get through to you anyway?
On further reflection, though, I think I'm getting her point of view. Daqus is not the sort of person to be swept off her feet with grandiloquent egotistical gestures. You move Daqus with honest sincere facing her and speaking...
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You are hereby SERVED this legal affidavit/ memorandum and supporting documentation of Formal Protest, pointing out Organized Crimes
by those in governments & associates in the private sector.
This notice is final, before civil suits become active against you, followed by criminal charges through Investigations by both private and governmental agencies. The major (but not limited to) Crime, is TREASON to the United States of America; by Aiding and Adhering to enemies of the Constitutional Republic, and enforcing "Illegal" forms of governments upon the people!.
You have the opportunity to reply with resolve within 30 calendar days of this notice, in order to try to get your name removed from the forthcoming suits. However, The criminal charges are not negotiable unless deals are made, with Investigation authorities for your personal witness help, against those who are listed below.
NOTICE: all of those listed below have been PREVIOUSLY served with other legal documents of RECORD, making them liable and...
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A Tiger Scout from Pack One of Logan, Utah posts the colors in honor of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Anniversary.
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With another round of layoffs hitting ATK last week, where was the hubbub? I have yet to see anything garnering any sort of real attention, just two small blurbs. I realize the government is trying to push the positives regarding decreases in unemployment, but to ignore a major impact on our own community is negligible at best.
At least one group is giving these employees hope. Primerica is hosting an open house to show people a better way. I'm not promoting the event here, you can look at the events page for that. I'm just trying to express my frustration that we aren't publicizing the extreme unemployment rates in the valley. With this 2nd round of layoffs at ATK, and the closing of LaZBoy, our valley is in turmoil. What is the local government doing about it? They can't even keep businesses in the historic district, let alone keep the attention of major manufacturing operations. Bring business to Cache Valley! Support the local economy. It can, and needs, to be done to preserve our way of life.
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Last week while driving from Egypt (east of Preston) to Preston and back, I went from fog/smog to sunshine and back to fog/smog. Depending upon where you were in the valley last week, the visibility greatly varied.
The weather lately in Cache Valley doesn't just affect us humans. The air quality and fog also have an impact on the animals and birds of the valley.
I came across these two hawks that appeared to be grounded, perched on a wheel move. I could just imagine that hunting for food in the reduced visibility was frustrating for them. I wondered if they could fly with the low visibility or if they were capable of overcoming that obstacle.
My stopping and taking pictures of them didn't seem to bother them at all. They were not going to leave their perch. Even my country western music playing on the radio did not seem to encourage them to take flight.
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By Mickie Douglas
Social Security Public affairs Specialist in Salt Lake City UT
When it comes to Social Security benefits, you may be wondering who must pay taxes on them and who does not. Let’s look at the numbers.
If you file a federal tax return as an "individual" and your total income is more than $25,000, then the answer for you is yes: you’ll have to pay federal taxes on your benefits. If you file a joint return and you and your spouse have a total income more than $32,000, you’ll be expected to pay federal taxes as well. If your taxable income is below those thresholds, there is no need to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits.
If you need to pay taxes on a portion of your benefits, you will need your SSA-1099. This form shows the total amount of benefits received in the previous year and is used to find out whether any benefits are subject to tax. You will need to submit it when you complete your federal income tax return.
You already should have received your SSA-1099 for tax year 20...
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Last week I'm was presently surprised to see the beautiful windows of the Bluebird Restaurant had been changed. The windows before were such a nice change to Logan downtown. Giving a feel of how historic the Bluebird Restaurant is. The new windows however were even better. With old time pictures of local places. You could stop and stare at the windows and see dozens of different things each time. It was a joy to walk past The Bluebird to see just the window display.
Imagine my surprise when I walked by just the other day and found it all gone. The beautiful windows that were a showcase to Logan's history vanished over night. I'm horribly saddened to see such a feature of Logan vanish without even a word.
What had happened?
The windows were something I looked forward to seeing day in and day out and now there is nothing but empty windows. (Though a few items remain, but they seem to mock what the windows where now). Why couldn't the Bluebird keep the grandness of the windows? Allow for the patrons to continue...
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Are you an avid film viewer? Prefer casual viewing? No matter your movie watching status, I’m sure you’ve noticed a difference in the amount of violence in films over the last while.
If you’re old enough to remember, you know how mild the films were throughout the 40's, 50's and the 60's even. Perhaps you’ve heard this statement before from an aged film viewer (I have): "The movies coming out now are so violent compared to the ones we had growing up." While I won’t disagree with that statement, let’s take a look back at an animated cartoon that ran from 1940-1957.
This cartoon won 7 academy awards and was witnessed by millions of kids growing up at that time (not to mention many millions more from all the years it has been in re-runs). The Cartoon is called "Tom and Jerry." Not only is it a surprisingly violent cartoon, it’s also packed with racist prejudice and harmful stereotypes.
To back my argument, take this quick and watered down version of the 1950 Tom and Jerry episode entitled: "Little Quacker"...
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By Mickie Douglas
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Salt Lake City UT
The holidays are over, the gift-giving (and spending) is done, and you’re almost finished returning all of the things you don’t want or need. You’ve even jotted down your New Year’s resolutions and plan to stick to them.
Time to relax? Maybe not right away — it’s time to start thinking about your taxes.
Here are Social Security’s top three tips for making tax time a lot easier.
1) Don’t forget the children. Make sure the kids (and all the dependents) you list on your annual tax forms have Social Security numbers. Yes, children do need Social Security numbers. There once was a time when a child did not require a Social Security card until later in life, but in 2010, that day is long gone. If you want to claim your child as a dependent on your tax return, your child will need a Social Security number. For many families, it’s not only the kids who will need a number. All dependents listed on your federal tax returns will...
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please help us we are looking for a transmishion for our 95 gmc seria 5.0 4 weel drive truck if you can help with this please e-mail us back.
thank you
rih6pack
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