Tax Time, Chore Wars and "Ability Gardens"

1. Tax deadline is approaching

The IRS says there are ten things you must know before filing taxes. Here are the top three: 1. Never send cash, 2. If you file electronically, you can file and pay in a single step by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal via tax preparation software or a tax professional, and 3. Whether you file a paper return or electronically, you can pay by phone or online using a credit or debit card. For the rest of the top ten, click here.

2. Parents Talk: The Chore Wars

Weigh in on this week's parents talk topic: teaching kids responsibility. Questions we ask include: Do your children have chores? If so, what? At what age do you start chores? Should kids do chores for reward or allowance or just because they’re part of the family? What resources do you use if you’re trying to find ways to get your children to help out more around the house? Join the conversation whenever you have time this week. Click here to

3. Week of the young child

Speaking of young children, next week is the "Week of the Young Child," and the Country Children's Center—which is celebrating its 45th year serving the Bedford, Katonah and Yorktown Heights communities—has planned an array of activities to honor young children in those towns. From tree plantings, to ice cream parties to dancing and visits with clowns, the centers will honor their children. For more information, And Happy Anniversary, CCC!

4. Ability Gardens to provide walkable life habitat

We heard about a terrific project that Bedford's Hopp Ground Garden Club is part of—they're sponsoring a "Garden Party" fundraiser in the Mt. Kisco Public Library Community Room Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the contruction of the "Ability Gardens" on the Mt. Kisco Public Library grounds. As phase II of the Mt. Kisco Library Green Space project, these gardens will eventually provide a new public garden open to the public. The Hopp Ground garden club will plant and maintain the gardens along with Ability Beyond Disability participants. If the by the Mt. Kisco planning board, that's two new pleasant spots to hang out in downtown Mt. Kisco.

5. Thursday morning trail walk

If you can get out Thursday morning, plan now for a morning walk of the Old Croton Aqueduct hosted by Bedford Audubon. Meet at 10:30 a.m. for a tour of "one of the great engineering achievements of the 19th century." for details.