To see the country’s major highlights we booked a “Golden Circle Tour” with the first stop, Thingvellir National Park. Although it was a blinding snowstorm that April day, our trilingual guide (he spoke French, English and Icelandic) pointed out the valley rift where the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart from each other, adding 2 centimeters to the landmass every year. Because of its precarious geologic position on a major fault line, Iceland is literally seething with constant volcanic activity. That’s not all bad news since the resulting geothermal activity provides 96 % of the country’s energy needs. From the National Park we visited Gullfoss, a spectacular, 2-tiered waterfall. Next up was a warm drenching from Geysir hot spring, as we hadn’t timed its eruption to our casual stroll around the area.

The following day we headed off to the Blue Lagoon—a geothermal spa set in a bleak, lava-strewn landscape. We whiled away the grey afternoon happily floating in the powder blue, 99 degree saltwater. We also popped in and out of saunas, and got our backs massaged by the force of the spa’s waterfall. For good measure we slathered on the white mud lining the pool— It’s a concoction of minerals that are great for your skin, although you look a little odd while it dries to a bright pastiness.

Even though Icelanders speak perfect English you may want to try your hand at Icelandic—a language that resembles the Old Norse spoken by the Viking immigrants over 1100 years ago. Try Teach Yourself Icelandic.

Curious as to why that modest looking lunch costs so much? You might be interested in Michael Lewis’s latest book Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World. The first chapter describes what led up to Iceland’s banking collapse in 2008.

Where should you stay? Start with the Icelandair website for special package deals. Or get a few ideas from  Frommer’s Iceland 2011. We stayed at the Hilton Nordica, a 4 star hotel of sleek design with a complimentary full breakfast buffet that included all manner of smoked fish and meats that you wash down with shots of fish oil for good health.

Iceland is intriguing on so many levels—for one thing, its people are all related. Descended from Vikings and their Celtic slaves, this isolated and homogenous population is lately the subject of several genetic studies. Then there is their unflappable belief in “Hidden People”—elves, dwarves, gnomes who inhabit deserted regions—which means that they are pretty much everywhere.

And according to author Eric Weiner in The Geography of Bliss it is one of the happiest places on earth. “There’s no one on the island telling them they’re not good enough, so they just go ahead and sing and paint and write.”  If only we all had their confident yet playful perspective on life. Spend a few days on this unusual island and that quality may rub off on you.

Mary O.

We would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

“Earth to Table“: If foraging in your neighbor’s yard for dandelion greens is your thing–then this is the book for you! Check it out but don’t let the farmer’s market chickens see the front cover! Food at it’s freshest and recipes to use throughout the year as the seasons pass by.

“Cooking in the Moment” by Andrea Reusing.  Recently reviewed in “Newsweek” magazine, Ms Reusing is a winner of the prestigious James Beard award.  This book is full of straight forward recipes and luscious photographs.

“Plenty : Good, Uncomplicated Food for the Sustainable Kitchen ” revives the lost art of home economics-making the most of what you have and combining it with today’s desire for a sustainable table.  Diana Henry shares recipes that show modern cooks that there is “plenty” of food for us to eat and enjoy without depleting our bank accounts and the planet’s resources.

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma : a Natural History of Four Meals“: Pollan asks the seemingly straightforward question of what we should have for dinner.  But it’s more complicated than that! As omnivores, the most unselective of eaters, humanity is faced with a wide variety of food choices, resulting in a dilemma.  What’s for supper?

And lastly, film star Gwyneth Paltrow, has recently published a cookbook entitled: “My Father’s Daughter : Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family and Togetherness“.   Written partly as an homage to her father, who taught her to cook, and also as a celebration of local, fresh and healthy cookery.  By publishing this cookbook Gwyneth helps answer the universal question we all want to know: What do movie stars  REALLY eat at home?

So stop by the library to “get fresh” and try a new recipe or two!  See you at the library ~ or the farmer’s market!

2010 PACKAGE X (57 pgs.) New Hampshire business tax forms:

http://www.nh.gov/revenue/forms/By_Number/documents/packagex_2010.pdf

2010 DP-10 – INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS (6 pgs):

http://www.nh.gov/revenue/forms/By_Number/documents/ID_Booklet.pdf

Information on 2010 DP-8 – LOW AND MODERATE INCOME. This form is not available until Spring 2011:

http://www.nh.gov/revenue/forms/low_mod_program.htm

Other 2010 state tax forms at the NH.gov website:

http://www.nh.gov/revenue/forms/By_Number/by_number.htm

As always, the library will be happy to download and print these forms for you for .15 cents per page.

Amy H.

V. A. Medical Center
718 Smyth Road
Call for Appointment:
624-3455 ext. 6422
Wednesday 1pm – 4pm
Friday 9am – 4pm

Elliot Senior Health Center
138 Webster Street
Call for appointment:
663-4567 (press 2)
For ages 50 and up.
Will assist with 1040 EZ only

Salvation Army
121 Cedar Street
Assistance runs from
Thursday, February 3rd to
Wednesday, April 13th
No appointments.
Customers will take number and wait in line.

Prime Time
195 McGregor Street
Call for appointment:
663-6333
Thursday 8:30am – 11:30am
Friday 12:30pm – 3:30pm

ALSO: It is rumored that 1040 Instruction booklets will be available at the library soon. They are available now at the IRS location at 1000 Elm St.

Amy H

From the IRS Website:
Tax Package Mailing to End Following Growth of e-File

Individual and business taxpayers will no longer receive paper income tax packages in the mail from the IRS. These tax packages contained the forms, schedules and instructions necessary for filing a paper income tax return.

The IRS is taking this step because of the continued growth in electronic filing and the availability of free options to taxpayers, as well as to help reduce costs.

In early October, the IRS sent a postcard to individuals who filed paper returns last year and did not use a tax preparer or tax software. The information explains how to get the tax forms and instructions they need for filing their tax year 2010 return. The forms and instructions will be available in early January 2011.

There are numerous free options available for taxpayers:

1) Taxpayers can still get the necessary forms and instructions online at IRS.gov, or by visiting local IRS offices or participating libraries and post offices.

2) Individuals making $49,000 or less can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for free tax preparation and, in many cases, free electronic filing. For More information go to: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html

3) Individuals aged 60 and older can take advantage of free tax counseling and basic income tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly. For More information: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html

4) IRS Free File provides options for free brand-name tax software or online fillable forms plus free electronic filing. Everyone can use Free File to prepare a federal tax return. For more information: http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

5) Taxpayers who make $58,000 or less can choose from approximately 20 commercial software providers. There’s no income limit for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which also has free e-filing.

For More Information, please use these links below:
Individuals: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=228162,00.html

Businesses: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=154770,00.html
Download Forms and Instructions Online:
http://www.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/formsInstructions.html

Visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center:
http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html(participating libraries and U. S. Post Offices)

* * *
As always, Manchester City Library will have many tax forms available, including 1040 and Instructions, 1040A and Instructions, and 1040EZ and Instructions. Feel free to call and ask us if we have the form you need or we’ll be happy to download and print it for you for 15 cents per page. The contact telephone number for information regarding tax forms at the Manchester City Library is 603-624-6550 (extension 310 or 510).

Amy H
Librarian I
Government Documents Librarian

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack and if you want to continue to retain your freedoms, they must be defended.  This might be just my personal opinion: but to me the freedom to chose what I read is inherent in my pursuit of happiness granted to me by the Constitution of the United States.

So join me and celebrate the freedom to read by reading a banned book.  We have a list of banned books at the reference desk and we can let you know why someone tried to ban your book, where in the country and when.

See you at the library!

~Yvonne~

MONDAY:

Elliot Senior Health Center.  By appointment.  663-4567, Press 2, 8:30am – 12:30pm

Smyth Public Library, 55 High St., Candia, 483-8245.  4pm-7pm

TUESDAY:

Salvation Army, 121 Cedar St. 10am-2pm.  627-7013

Marion Gerrish Community Center. 39 W. Broadway, Derry. 10am-3pm

VA Medical Center.  By appointment  624-4366, ext. 6422.  1pm-4pm

WEDNESDAY:

VA Medical Center.  By apppointment.   624-4366, ext. 6422.  12pm-3pm

THURSDAY:

Prime Time.  By appointment.  663-6333.  8:30am-11:30am

Salvation Army.  121 Cedar St. 10am-2pm.  627-7013

Marion Gerrish Community Center. 39 W. Broadway, Derry.  10am-3pm

Smyth Public Library.  55 High St. Candia.  483-8245.  10am-1pm

FRIDAY:

Prime Time.  By appointment.  663-6333.  12:30pm-3:30pm

VA Medical Center.  By appointment.  624-4366, ext. 6422.  1pm-4pm

ADDITIONAL LOCAL RESOURCES:

Click the link below for contact information / hours of operation for the local IRS offices located in Keene, Nashua, Manchester, and Portsmouth:

http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=98312,00.html