Storm Clouds Around Oakland Last Night
June 26, 2014 Leave a comment
It thundered in Oakland last evening, but only a tenth of an inch of rain was in the rain gauge. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Byway of Art Receives Grant
June 26, 2014 Leave a comment
| Today, the Center for Rural Affairs announced that the organization will receive one of 55 grants awarded by ArtPlace America in 2014 to support creative placemaking across the country. The $200,000 grant will support the cooperative creation of a public artwork in each of four neighboring towns, guidance from an established visiting artist, and celebration of the completed works with a tour in Autumn of 2015. “Investing in and supporting the arts have a profound impact on the social, physical, and economic futures of communities. Projects like these demonstrate how imaginative and committed people are when it comes to enhancing their communities with creative interventions and thoughtful practices.” ArtPlace Executive Director Jamie L. Bennett.
According to Adele Phillips with the Center for Rural Affairs, the 2014 ArtPlace awardees represent 4% of the 1,270 letters of inquiry ArtPlace received this year. This year, 31% of ArtPlace’s grants will go to projects working in rural communities, which compares with 17% last year.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for the Center for Rural Affairs, and we are delighted to share this exciting news,” said Phillips. “Deploying the arts can transform communities, and receiving such generous support from ArtPlace validates both our past work and future vision.”
We are particularly proud to be part of the upswing in awards for art projects in rural and small town America. And we commend ArtPlace America for recognizing the potential for community art initiatives in so many rural places across the nation this year.
Jan Cline-Zimmerman, proprietor of Creative Connection Studio Gallery in Oakland, Nebraska, is excited to see the arts move forward in these small towns. “I have dedicated over 30 years to teaching students of all ages in the fine arts. This funding will allow many more opportunities to expand creativity within the region and encourage communication across multiple generations and cultures.”
Next steps in project implementation will include an Artist’s Talk on public art, and invitations to community members to join in on this exciting opportunity. The Center for Rural Affairs welcomes the citizens of Lyons, Decatur, Macy and Oakland, Nebraska, to celebrate the news of this exciting opportunity.
About ArtPlace America ArtPlace America (ArtPlace) advances the field of creative placemaking, in which art and culture plays an explicit and central role in shaping communities’ social, physical, and economic futures. To date, ArtPlace has awarded $56.8 million through 189 grants to projects serving 122 communities across 42 states and the District of Columbia.
ArtPlace is a collaboration among the Barr Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Ford Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William Penn Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, The Surdna Foundation, and two anonymous donors.
ArtPlace seeks advice and counsel from its close working relationships with the following federal agencies: the National Endowment for the Arts, the US Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, along with leadership from the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Domestic Policy Council.
ArtPlace has additional partnership from six major financial institutions: Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Chase, MetLife and Morgan Stanley.The deadline for submission for a 2015 grant application will be announced later this year. For more information or to join ArtPlace’s mailing list, visit www.artplaceamerica.org.
For additional information about ArtPlace contact: Bow Bridge Communications, LLC, New York City, Libby Mark, Managing Principal, 917- 968-5567, info@bow-bridge.com.
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IRS Phone Scam Continues
June 25, 2014 1 Comment
Tax season may be over but that has not stopped scammers from continuing to pose as IRS officials and making calls threatening jail, deportation and loss of property. Thousands of calls have been made to individuals across the country including the Chicago and Northern Illinois area with total losses around one million dollars.
Callers to the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois say they have been left voicemail messages stating they need to contact the IRS immediately or they would face legal consequences. Other messages threatened arrest by U.S. Marshals for failure to pay the correct amount of taxes.
Hoffman Estates resident, Bert Adams says, “I had a phone message from Kelly Gray who said she worked for the IRS and that I was to call the IRS right away.” This call was less threatening and demanding than other calls as Adams noted her sign-off was “Good bye and take care.”
John Strandin, of Rockford, IL says that he and his wife received two calls from a man who claimed his wife had not correctly filed her returns for the last six years. Standin says, “we knew it was a scam because my wife has not filed an individual tax return in more than 10 years.”
All calls to Adams and Strandin came from the 202 area code which services the Washington D.C. area.
“It is a safe bet that the phone numbers that showed on their caller I.D. were “spoofed numbers,”” says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “It is a common practice of scammers to hide their real phone number from their intended victim.” He added “in some cases they have even “spoofed” the IRS’s legitimate “800” customer service number.”
In addition to claiming to be from the IRS, other individuals say they have been called by people stating they were with the U.S. Treasury; although it is a different government agency, the scam remains the same.
Scott Smuck of Rockford says “I was told I did not file my 2010 taxes correctly and that I owed $1,000 and needed to pay it immediately or they would seize my property and bank account and I would be arrested by the U.S. Marshal.” Smuck was instructed not to hang up until he paid the money. “I was even told what store to go to and get a GreenDot card.” The call lasted one hour and 49 minutes.
According to the IRS, the agency never contacts taxpayers by phone asking for money. They also never contact taxpayers by email. If there is an issue with the IRS that requires your response, the contact would be made by U.S. mail.
If you receive one of these scam phone calls the BBB recommends:
- Hang up – Don’t provide any information over the phone. Call the IRS directly using the phone number found on their website or in the phone book.
- Protect personal information – In response to an incoming call, never give out any personal or financial information such as your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name or any passwords and other identifying information.
- Contact the FCC – Let the Federal Communications Commission know about ID spoofers by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC or file a complaint at www.fcc.gov/complaints
- Contact the FTC – File a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission atwww.ftc.gov/complaint. From the complaint homepage, select “Other” and then “Imposter Scams”. In the notes, include “IRS Telephone Scam”.
For more information on scams, visit www.bbb.org, like us on Facebook or follow us onTwitter.
Concrete Being Poured at Lutheran Church
June 25, 2014 Leave a comment
The parking lot being poured at the Lutheran Church in Oakland. All Photos Credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Happenings at Oakland Heights
June 25, 2014 Leave a comment
Oakland Heights News
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Oakland Heights employee Kim Schwetz hula hooping! Photo courtesy of Oakland Heights.
y Nancy Silvey Activity Director
We will be having our monthly Resident Council meeting on Monday June 30th at 2:30 pm., we start a new month next week, and on Tuesday July 1st Donna Denton and Christina Arnold will be serving out Root beer Floats for Residents at 2:30 pm to celebrate their Birthdays. Also Celebrating a Birthday next week is Kenny Thompson on July 5th, Happy Birthday to all. On Thursday July 3rd at 2:30 we will be having a Treats on the Patio in celebration of the fourth of July. Residents are invited to sit out in the parking lot at dusk to watch the Oakland Fireworks that evening also.
Church Service for Sunday June 29th at 2:30 pm will be given by the Craig/Alder Grove Church with refreshments served afterwards. On Wednesday July 2nd at 1:00 pm is communion with Pastor Hoden.
Activities for the week of June 30th to July 5th are as followed, , Reading with Marilyn, Game Day, Sing a Long, Crafts, Bingo w/WOW, Reading Group, Bible Fellowship, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Welk.
Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Mary Donovan, Seth Anderson, Dani Moseman, Anne Anderson, Betty Hanna, Patty Miller, Bonnie Fleischman, Pat Anderson, Nadine Anderson, and Sly Rouse.
Guest’s signing the Guest book this past week was, John and Rita Thrainer to see Leonard Bracht.
Ricketts Releases Fundraising Numbers
June 25, 2014 Leave a comment
Gothenburg, NE – Pete Ricketts announced today that he has raised more than $622,000.00 for the reporting period ending June 17. This brings the total raised for his campaign for governor to $3.3 million. The campaign ends the period with $533,685.47 cash on hand.
“In the wake of a very competitive primary election, I am humbled to have received such support from Nebraskans,” Ricketts said. “Our campaign will continue delivering a message of new growth, responsible reform, and a united Nebraska in every corner of the state.”
Bancroft Senior Center News
June 23, 2014 Leave a comment
* The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.
*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.
* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.
Meals on Wheels
Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.
Weekly Activities:
Wed. June 25: Melody chimers practice at 9:00. Come and play bingo at 2:00.
Thurs. June 26: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30.
Fri. June 27: Chair exercise class at 10:00. Sign up for our weekly pinochle tournament at 1:30.
Mon. June 30: Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:15. Monthly board meeting is at 3:30.
Tues. July 1: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. We will play hand and foot or the card game of golf at 1:30.
Wed. July 2: Melody chimes practice at 9:00. Sign up to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30.
Putting on a Show at the Library
June 21, 2014 Leave a comment
William and Winston Wilkey are entertaining at the Oakland Public Library. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Prairie and Wetland Habitat Tour
June 20, 2014 Leave a comment
Pheasants Forever is sponsoring a guided tour of high diversity, local-ecotype prairie and wetland habitats in Burt county on July 10, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tour participants will be able to see the conservation benefits of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) at work in Nebraska. Participants should park at the Historical Marker on the east side of 13th St. (Hwy 75), 613 N. 13th St. in Tekamah. From there the group will car pool to the tour sites and return for a picnic supper in Memorial Park. There is no cost for the tour and picnic supper, but pre-registration is required on or before July 3, 2014. Space is limited, so register early. To register, please contact Scott Schmidt, Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist at (402)618-2418 or sschmidt@pheasantsforever.org.
Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. Funding for this tour is provided through a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The tour is a joint effort of Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Nebraska Game and Parks and NRCS.
Kat Country Hub 
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