The deadline has passed and many applications for assistance with Christmas gifts have been accepted at the Stone County Department of Human Services in Mountain View.  The trees are ready to decorate with the names of Stone County children looking for a Merry Christmas and we need your help to provide gifts for the children.

Trees will be decorated at local banks and businesses the Friday following Thanksgiving, with gift tags noting the child’s name, gift wish and clothing size.  Names will be selected from the tree by those wishing to participate, and the gifts returned to the bank.  Price range will be $20.00 for the gift.  Gifts will be distributed through the Department of Human Service office December 18th.

Trees will be decorated and names of children available at the following locations; Centennial Bank, Citizens Bank, First National Bank of Izard County, First Security Bank, First Service Bank and Ozark Heritage Bank and the Dollar General Store.

The community of Mountain View and Stone County are truly amazing with their generosity and giving spirit.  From a barbeque benefiting the Angel Tree Program at T D Builders, Free tickets to Cash’s White River Hoe Down Christmas shows, two nights of music programs at Taylor’s Sons of the Ozarks Theater,  with all donation received dedicated to the children’s Christmas Program.  Donations from churches, individuals, businesses and organizations are also received including caps and mittens, cash, gifts and volunteer efforts.

SEARCY, Ark. – The Harding University-Community Orchestra will perform
Thursday, Dec. 3, in Harding’s Administration Auditorium at 7 p.m.
with the Harding String Quartet opening the concert. It will be free
to the public, and seating will be available on a first come, first
served basis.

The concert will feature several Christmas arrangements, such as
“Christmas Concerto,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The Holly and
the Ivy,” “Deck the Halls,” ‘Stille Nacht” and “Sussex Carol.” The
performance will present other pieces as well, including “Concertino
for Clarinet,” a solo by junior Ashley Calcote, and “Fantasia on
Greensleeves.”

The orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Michael Chance, is comprised
of Harding student musicians, local professionals and advanced string
students from the Searcy Community School of Music.

For more information, call the University’s music department at
501-279-4343.
Harding had a record enrollment this year of more than 6,600 students
from all 50 states and 49 foreign countries. It is the largest private
university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than
any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains
campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France/Switzerland, Greece,
Italy and Zambia.

Every year the White County Aging Program hosts the “Adopt a Senior Program”.
We want to help our Senior Citizens of White County have a joyful Christmas. For
more information, call 501-268-2587. You can call between 8am and 4pm. Please
join us and adopt a senior!

Congratulations to the winner of the Sinatra framed print, Paulette Wright of Edgemont shows off her prize.

(Above) Chad Whiteaker of KFFB 106.1 and the winner of the Sinatra framed print, Paulette Wright of Edgemont

(Above) KFFB on Location at Factory Return Outlet

(Above) Its a family affair

(Above) David answers questions

(Above) More folks looking for the great deals

(Above) Everyone loves to sign up for prizes

Great deals for everyone

(Above) Folks sign up for prizes and shop for deals

(Above) Balloons are a hit

(Above) Couples enjoy the deals

(Above) David showing folks the deals

(Above) Even babies are at party

(Above) Folks Come from near and far

(Above) Folks load up the great deals

(Above) Fred, Seth and Rich

(Above) Free Not Pads

(Above) Fun for all

(Above) Is that the real price

(Above) More deals

(Above) More Folks

(Above) More fun for all

(Above) More selection

(Above) More sign up for prize

(Above) Petit Jean Hot Dog and a Pepsi Please

(Above) Pop Corn is the kids favorite

(Above) Seth handing out Balloons

(Above) KFFB 106.1 on Location at Hipp Modern Builders

(Above) Folks come from all over

(Above) Folks shop for Bargains

(Above) Gentry Hipp and Bob Connel talk deals

(Above) Gals in the office

(Above) Great fellowship

(Above) Lots of paper work in the lumber Business

(Above) Another Rental

(Above) Great Food

(Above) Great Fun

(Above) Great noon time break

(Above) Rental Center at Hipp

(Above) Rich and Fred take time for a picture

(Above) Terry Hipp taken care of Business

The North Central Arkansas Artist League (NCAAL) would like to invite everyone to a Holiday Open House, Sunday December 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Bayside Gallery located at the corner of Hwy 330 and Greenwood Dr. (by the marina entrance) Fairfield Bay.  The public is invited to view the works of over thirty area artists.   Oil, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, photography and pottery mediums are represented in the NCAAL gallery.

The gallery is decorated for Christmas in conjunction with the Tour of Homes.  So come and join us for hot cider and refreshments.  For more information contact Connie Hood at (501)884-3283.

Title: Annual Tour of Homes in Fairfield Bay
Description: The Annual Tour of Homes in Fairfield Bay will be held on December 6th from 2:00 to 4:30pm. Tickets may be purchased at the Library or Indian Rock Village.
Date: 2009-12-06

The Christmas Lighting Ceremony of Ed Leamon Park is scheduled for 6 pm on December 5, 2009.  Viewing will be from the Senior Center parking lot.  Following the lighting, Christmas carols and refreshments will be inside the Senior Center.

Sen. Lincoln Casts Deciding Vote to Raise Healthcare Taxes

At least 18 tax hikes in Senate health bill; bill contains the word “tax” 183 times

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Saturday evening, Sen. Blanche Lincoln cast the deciding vote in favor of the following tax increases contained in the Reid-Obama government healthcare bill:

Individual Mandate Tax (Page 324/Sec. 1501/$ 8 bil/Jan. 2014): Starting in 2014, anyone not buying “qualifying” health insurance must pay an income surtax according to the following schedule (capped at 8 percent of income):

Exemptions for religious objectors, undocumented immigrants, prisoners, those earning less than the poverty line, members of Indian tribes, and hardship cases (determined by HHS).

Employer Mandate Tax (Page 348/Sec. 1513/$28 bil/Jan. 2014):  If an employer does not offer health coverage, and at least one employee qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $750 for all full-time employees.  Applies to all employers with 50 or more employees.

If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer).

Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans (Page 1979/Sec. 9001/$149.1 bil/Jan. 2013): Starting in 2013, new 40 percent excise tax on “Cadillac” health insurance plans ($8500 single/$23,000 family).  Higher threshold ($9850 single/$26,000 family) for early retirees and high-risk professions.  CPI +1 percentage point indexed.

From 2013-2015, the 17 highest-cost states are 120% of this level.

Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2 (Page 1996/Sec. 9002/Min$/Jan. 2011): Preamble to taxing health benefits on individual tax returns.

Medicine Cabinet Tax (Page 1997/Sec. 9003/$5 bil/Jan. 2011): No longer allowable to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin)

HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike (Page 1998/Sec. 9004/$1.3 bil/Jan. 2011): Increases additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.

FSA Cap (Page 1999/Sec. 9005/$14.6 bil/Jan 2011): Imposes cap on FSAs of $2500 (now unlimited).

Corporate 1099-MISC Information Reporting (Page 1999/Sec. 9006/$17.1 bil/Jan. 2012): Requires businesses to send 1099-MISC information tax forms to corporations (currently limited to individuals), a huge compliance burden for small employers

Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals (Page 2001/Sec. 9007/Min$/immediate): $50,000 per hospital if they fail to meet new “community health assessment needs,” “financial assistance,” and “billing and collection” rules set by HHS.

Tax on Innovator Drug Companies (Page 2010/Sec. 9008/$22.2 bil/Jan. 2010): $2.3 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to share of sales made that year.

Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers (Page 2020/Sec. 9009/$19.3 bil/Jan. 2010): $2 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to shares of sales made that year.  Exempts items retailing for <$100.

Tax on Health Insurers (Page 2026/Sec. 9010/$60.4 bil/Jan. 2010): $6.7 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to health insurance premiums collected that year.

Eliminate tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage in coordination with Medicare Part D (Page 2034/Sec. 9012/$5.4 bil/Jan. 2011)

Raise “Haircut” for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI (Page 2034/Sec. 9013/$15.2 bil/Jan. 2013): Waived for 65+ taxpayers in 2013-2016 only

$500,000 Annual Executive Compensation Limit for Health Insurance Executives (Page 2035/Sec. 9014/$0.6 bil/Jan. 2013)

Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax (Page 2040/Sec. 9015/$53.8 bil/Jan. 2013): Current law and changes:

The 0.5% new rate addition is not deductible for the self-employment tax adjustment.  The new HI tax threshold is not indexed for inflation.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike (Page 2044/Sec. 9016/$0.4 bil/Jan. 2010): The special tax deduction in current law for Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies would only be allowed if 85 percent or more of premium revenues are spent on clinical services

Tax on Cosmetic Medical Procedures (Page 2045/Sec. 9017/$5.8 bil/Jan. 2010): New 5% excise tax on elective cosmetic surgery to be paid by the surgery patient

Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases.  For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartch at (202) 785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.

###

AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM

CONTACT:  JOHN KARTCH

202-785-0266; JKARTCH@ATR.ORG

23 NOVEMBER 2009