Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Free tax preparation!

If you earned $50,000 or less in 2011, you can receive FREE tax preparation. You also may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is your money to keep and save. Call 2-1-1 for more information. 2-1-1 is free and available 24/7.

What to bring:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security
• Administration
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
• Current year’s tax package if you received one
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

Where to go:

Des Moines:

• Park Fair Mall at 100 East Euclid, Lower Level (Des Moines Housing office)
• Starts March 1st
• Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-3:30
• Open March and April only

DMACC:

• Urban and Ankeny Campus
• By appointment only . Call 2-1-1 for location information and to schedule an appointment.

This list is subject to change. Please call 2-1-1 for the most current information.

Refund:
If you made $50,000 or less, you may be eligible for....

• $5,666: Maximum amount, with three or more qualifying children
• $5,036: Maximum amount, with two qualifying children.
• $3,050: Maximum amount, with one qualifying child.
• $457: Maximum amount, with no children.
• $1,491: The average refund amount in 2011!

7:00 p.m. meeting tonight

Don't forget to attend the January meeting of the Woodland Heights Organization at Callanan Middle School tonight, Tuesday, January 17th at 7 pm.
We will be discussing plans for the Woodland Heights and Ingersoll Revitalization.

Please attend and bring your ideas.

See you Tuesday at 7 pm.

Holiday Party, A Smashing Success

Thank you to everyone who attended the Woodland Heights Christmas Party this week.

We had a great time playing BINGO, eating LOTS of great food and catching up.  A special thanks to Councilman Skip Moore and Officer Vincent Valdez for attending the festivities.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone.

11/21 - City Council Meeting Tonight at 4:30 p.m.

The decision regarding the Neighborhood Revitalization Project which Woodland Heights has been recommended for, will go to the City Council for a vote THIS AFTERNOON, Monday, Nov 21st. The Council meeting begins at 4:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 400 Robert D Ray Drive.

We need WOODLAND HEIGHTS residents all who will all benefit from a portion of the $2 million we are hoping to receive to attend this afternoon / evening session of the Des Moines City Council. Our presence needs to influence the city council that we care enough to show up and be counted!!!

Reminder: Neighborhood Selection Dates

From Neighborhood Development Division -


Just a reminder that the decision regarding neighborhood selection will go to City Council on Monday, Nov 21st. The Council meeting begins at 4:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 400 Robert D Ray Drive.

The Polk County Board of Supervisors will also vote to approve neighborhood selection. I will give a presentation at their workshop on Wednesday, Nov 16 at 9:30 am. The vote will take place on Tuesday, Nov 29 at 9:30 am. Both meetings are held in the County Admin Building at 111 Court Ave, Room 120.

I would encourage all neighborhoods to send representatives to these meetings, particularly if you are being recommended for selection. There may be an opportunity for you to comment, and it is always good for the elected officials to see neighborhood groups out in support of the recommendation.

Meeting Tonight!

Get to know your neighbors and attend our monthly meeting tonight!


From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. we'll be at Callahan Elementary School (3010 Center Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312).

Hope to see you there!

Our President, Doug on Channel Five

Check out the news story that featured our very own Doug McBride.  Woodland Heights is going to be an exciting place to live in during the next few years -- and BEYOND! Beginning mid-2012, the neighborhood will begin working with an ISU graduate student to chart out projects to enhance our neighborhood (because we were selected for the grant!!).  Items that we identified during the grant application process to tackle include (but is not limited to

• Woodland Heights Cemetary fence
• Chamberlain Park enhancements
• Gateway beautification
• Bike trails
• Linden Street enhancements
• Much, much more!

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Here's a note from Doug:
Congratulations to all of us who put together the presentation that lead the way to our being accepted into the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

I want to recognize the following residents for their efforts to lead the way to the revitalization of Woodland Heights.  The neighborhood owes these people a great debt of gratitude for their tremendous amount of hard work and commitment.

• Lyla Dozier
• Barry Tofteland
• Laura Tofteland
• Doug McBride
• Carol Lewis
• Dan Robbins

Also, thank you to the city of Des Moines and the NRB for all their work in putting together this opportunity for the selected neighborhoods. When we all work together, revitalization works.