happy new year I hope that all of your holidays were great and filled with family, friends, and good cheer.

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1 January/February 2016 From the Office of Township Supervisor Edward N. Levato happy new year I hope that all of your holidays were great and filled with family, friends, and good cheer. As we approach a new year, I want to share some news about the Senior Center that will happen shortly. First of all, over the last five year period, I m sure you have noticed subtle changes little by little. The physical structure of the facility has been improved, starting with new carpeting, painting, new tables and chairs, new curtains, new furniture in the entrance, some new appliances, a new kiln, new television, remodeled gift shop, new parking lot, etc. We aren t finished yet as we are planning a renovation of the two main bathrooms as well as replacing the carpeting in the main room. All this has been done with the help and the urging of the Senior Council. The news that I want to share is that with the help of the Senior Council, we are revising the By-Laws of the not for profit corporation called the Bloomingdale Township Senior Council. This will make us compliant with the corporation laws of the State of Illinois. There will be almost no noticeable changes in what you do or how the Senior Center is managed. You will still see Bump and Mike, and occasionally Karen. All the activities that you do now will continue in the future uninterrupted from the way they have been run in the past. The main changes are legal in nature, involving how members of the Senior Council Board of Directors will be elected and how those elected board members will then appoint the officers. The officers will basically act just as they do currently. All of you who are Bloomingdale Township residents, and registered to vote in Du Page County elections, and are registered to receive the Bloomingdale Township Senior Connection newsletter, will be able to vote for the directors. More information about the process will be forthcoming, but first we need to have our lawyer finalize the By-Laws and approve them after input by the Senior Council and staff. Stay Tuned, Edward N. Levato, Supervisor Serving Senior Citizens Throughout Bloomingdale Township

2 Tax Assistance for Seniors It s that time of year again Tax Season The AARP Tax-Aid Program this year will begin on Friday, February 5, 2016 through April 11, Registration starting some time in January. Appointments will be available on Friday s beginning February 5, 2016 and will continue most Mondays & Fridays, through April 11, The AARP Tax Aide program offers free tax aide help to low and moderate income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older Tax-Aides are volunteers and are restricted by their training and IRS and AARP regulations as to the complexity of returns they are qualified to prepare.\ Tax-Aides are not trained to prepare: 1) Partnership returns from forms K-1, 2) Business returns, rental income, sale of business property, S Corporation Returns, Trust and Estate income, moving expenses or returns involving numerous stock transactions. 1. Bring a picture ID & SS card/s for taxpayer and all dependents 2. Copy of last years return. 3. All forms W-2 and 1099 s received showing income for Specifically this refers to interest income, dividends, social security, railroad retirement, IRA distributions, pensions, Sale of stock and any other income. 4. All documents relating to the sale of stock, including original purchase documents. 5. Information( figures) pertaining to deductions, medical expenses, charitable contributions and other deductions 6. Checks or data supporting quarterly prepayment of federal and state taxes. 7. Real estate tax bill. 8. If filing a joint return, both spouses should attend the appointment. 9. All documents pertaining to the Affordable Care Act. 10.Direct deposit is recommended if a refund is due; bring a check for routing and account number information There is no charge for this professional assistance. Call(630) for appointments. FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR MOST PEOPLE If your filing status is: And at the end of 2015 you Then you don't need to file were: a return if your gross income* is less than the following, not including Social Security income; Single under 65 $10, or older $11,850 Married, filing jointly under 65 (both spouses) $20, or older (one spouse) $21, or older (both spouses) $23,100 Page 2 The Senior Connection January/February 2016

3 DONATIONS TO THE GIFT SHOP THANK YOU!!! Vi Ferguson Marie Rendant E. Carol Tremper Stella Pett Susanne Cannella Lorraine Kerchenfaut BUNCO Come join us at the senior center for BUNCO and Lunch. We will be meeting on Friday January 8th, February 5th and March 4th from 10:30 am to 1pm. The cost is $10 and includes prizes and lunch. Please call to reserve a seat. ( ) January/February 2016 The Senior Connection Page 3

4 Chief Frank Giammarese Bloomingdale Police Department Most people have received annoying phone calls before, such as phone pranks or an unwanted sales pitch. These calls are frequently a one-time occurrence and they are quickly forgotten. On the other hand, numerous harassing or threatening telephone calls should be taken more seriously. Such calls can be frustrating and even frightening to those receiving them. The following are some steps that should be taken in the event that you receive offensive or troubling telephone calls. If a caller will not reveal their identity, if they remain silent, or at the first obscene word or lewd remark, then simply HANG UP. Don t talk to the person and don t slam the receiver. Don t give the caller the satisfaction they are seeking. Don t encourage the caller or extend the conversation by trying to determine their identity or by answering with witty or sarcastic remarks. Bear in mind the caller usually wants an emotional reaction from the victim. Remember that a telephone call is just as personal as a face-to-face conversation. Do not feel obligated to answer questions just because the questioner sounds official. Do not answer questions on the phone that you would not answer if a stranger asked them on the street. If the caller is a sales person and you are not interested, say so. One response is to ask the caller to send you all the information in a letter so you can consider it at your leisure. If someone asks what number they have called, ask instead what number they dialed or what number are they seeking. This may be a crank caller who dialed at random or is perhaps checking out the residence. Young children should be properly instructed on the importance of never revealing information to unknown callers. Remember that it is your phone service and your time. If you are not interested, say so. If the caller is rude enough to not let you go graciously, hang up. If the calls continue for an extended period, then you may want to contact your service provider and speak to the customer support for annoyance call problems. For example, you can contact AT & T Call Annoyance Bureau at to report the calls and to receive information on Call Block, Call Return, and Anonymous Call Rejection options. If you choose to pursue the issue to locate the source of the annoying calls, then you must dial to make a police report. Information on successfully traced calls will only be released to the police department, so a police report is necessary. If you receive a threatening telephone call, take the threat seriously. Hang up and immediately dial to make a police report. If you can identify the caller, give the information to the police as well. If you cannot identify the caller, ask the police officer for further instructions. To help prevent unwanted solicitor telemarketing or harassing calls, consider monitoring your calls with Caller ID or your answering machine. In addition, you can call the Direct Marketing Association at or for assistance in reducing the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls made to your residence. Reporting harassing, obscene or threatening calls to the police or to your telephone service provider are for serious situations only. Infrequent hang-up calls or wrong number calls may be a nuisance, but they are not considered criminal offenses. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Crime Prevention Unit of your local police department. For the Bloomingdale Police Department, please contact Officer Dawn Odoi at (630) Page 4 The Senior Connection January/February 2016

5 GLENDALE CATERING BLOOMINGDALE GOLF CLUB 5N181 GLEN ELLYN ROAD BLOOMINGDALE, IL (630) January/February 2016 The Senior Connection Page 5

6 SENIORS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST Call for: FREE MARKET APPRAISAL Or BUYER/SELLER CONSULTATION Unique Marketing Plans 30 Years Experience Contact me for all your Real Estate Needs Salerno s Rosedale Funeral Chapels 450 W. Lake Street Roselle, IL (630) Pre-arranged funerals available Licensed Attorney on Staff Designed for any income MIKE KOS HANDYMAN SERVICES, Inc. Complete Home Maintenance and Repair Fully Insured Interior Exterior Kitchen & Bath Remodel Windows, Doors, & Siding Carpentry & Drywall Caulking & Painting Electric & Lighting Gutter Cleaning Ceiling Fans Patio/Deck Maint. & Repair Trim Work & Painting Garage Door Installation Floor & Wall Tile & Repair Small Plumbing & Yard Lighting Piping jobs Snow Removal Sump Pumps Call (630) P.O. Box Carol Stream, IL Frank J. Salerno Joseph G. Salerno Frank Salerno George Salerno Four generations of our family serving yours. Our Other Location Galewood Chapels 1857 N. Harlem Avenue Chicago, IL (773) Page 6 The Senior Connection January/February 2016