Blogging Documents

Jobs Available Through Local Census Office

The U.S. Census Bureau is now offering a variety of temporary, part-time, and full-time jobs, ranging from census supervisors, enumerators, and office clerks to work with the 2010 census operations through the local census office, 1411 N. 105th E. Ave. Nights and weekend work are available. Pay starts at $10.50 to $16.75 an hour and pays weekly.

If you’re interested in a potential position with the U.S. Census Bureau, plan now to attend their open house on Monday, Jan. 12, from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Dream Center, 200 West 46th St. North. Census representatives will speak on the importance and goals of the census, as well as answer questions for potential employees.

For more information, you can call 918-877-3420 or 1-866-861-2010.

On Wednesday, December 17, Tulsa-area television stations had a soft test of the transition to digital television, and for many their television screen went black. A black screen indicates that your television is not ready for the Digital Television (DTV) Transition. Visit www.dtv.gov for basic information about the digital television transition.

How to get ready for the Digital Television (DTV) Transition?
There are several ways to get ready —

1. Subscribe to cable or satellite television
2. Purchase a new television with a built-in digital tuner
3. Purchase a digital television converter box from area retailers such as Target, Wal-mart, Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.

A $40 coupon can be requested to apply toward the purchase of a digital converter box. The converter box will work with your existing analog television and antenna. (limit 2 coupons per household and know the coupons do expire)

• Apply online here: https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx
• Or, visit your local TCCL branch for a mail in application.

Another helpful tidbit…
If you need help installing your digital converter box, phone your local fire station. A fire department employee will visit your home and assist with the installation of the converter box. (I believe there is nothing the fire department won’t help with?)

If you still have questions, ask the Tulsa City-County Library AskUs Hotline. We’ll find you an answer.

For many high school seniors, it is time to start preparing for college… admission applications, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc. For their parents, the focus is more likely on how to pay for the next 4 to 5 years. There are many scholarship and financial aid programs available to assist these students and their parents.

The most important form to remember is the FAFSA form. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it can be found here: www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application will get your student qualified for federal grants and loans. It is also required by most schools, states, and organizations to qualify for scholarship, grants, work study or aid programs offered by each. Tax return information is required but you can estimate your 2008 information. The earlier the better when submitting your student’s application for consideration of available monies.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education offers Financial Aid assistance. This site provides information about Oklahoma’s Promise, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant, Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program and more. Here is a link to additional state grants and aid programs: http://www.cashforcollegeok.info/state.shtml. The deadline to apply for state programs is April 15, but earlier is best.

Here is a list of helpful links to look for grants, scholarships and other aid programs:

• FastWeb
• FinAid
• Student Aid on the Web

Although the deadline is past for filing this year for the Stimulus Rebate, many who did file haven’t received their checks.

According to an IRS news release, individuals have until Friday, November 28, 2008 to notify the IRS of correct address for checks to be mailed by December 31, 2008.

How do you find out the status of your stimulus payment or refund check? Here are a few options:

• Visit “Where’s My Stimulus Payment?” to track your check
• Phone the Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942
• Visit “Where’s My Refund?” to track your refund check
• Refund information for Spanish speakers ¿Dónde está mi reembolso?
• Phone the “Where’s My Refund Hotline?” at 1-800-829-1954

Also, a list by Oklahoma county of unclaimed/returned stimulus and refund checks is available. Adobe Acrobat is required to access the list.

If you missed the October 15 deadline to file for the Stimulus Payment, not to worry. You can receive a payment in 2009 by filing an income tax return when the filing season opens in January. Stay tuned… more details to come.

During a recent conversation with my mother, we talked about the upcoming transition from analog to digital television. I was quickly made aware that many people (my mother included) are still not clear about the DTV transition. In hopes of answering lingering questions the public has, or might not know it has, here are some of the myths about DTV and the facts that dispel them. Remember, the transition takes place on February 17, 2009.

Myth:  I need to buy a new TV.
Fact: There are three options for analog set owners. You can purchase a new TV equipped with a digital tuner. Or, you can keep your current TV and connect it to a digital converter box or pay TV service such as cable or satellite.

Myth: TV will no longer be free for me.
Fact: You can still receive a FREE television signal with an antenna as long as your television has a digital tuner or is connected to a digital converter box. The federal government is offering coupons (valued at $40.00) to reduce the cost of the converter box, which costs $40-70. To request a coupon call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov.

Myth: I need to order a converter box.
Fact: This is one of your options if you currently use an analog television with an antenna. Other choices include purchasing a new digital TV or subscribing to a pay TV service such as cable or satellite.

Myth: One converter box is all I need for my TVs.
Fact: If you choose to buy converter boxes, you wil need one converter box for each analog TV. Every analog set has to be connected to a pay TV service or a converter box to get a TV signal after February 17, 2009.

Myth: My DVD player, DVR, VCR, camcorder and video games will no longer be compatible with my TV.
Fact: These electronics will continue to work even if they are analog.

Myth: I can’t watch high definition (HD) programs because my TV relies on antenna.
Fact: You can receive HD programs with an antenna and digital tuner or converter box, however they will only be displayed in high definition if you have an HDTV set.

To have additional myths dispelled visit FAQs at DTV.gov or DTV info from PBS.

If you’re choosing to retire your analog television and purchase a new digital television, don’t throw your old set away. There are several options for non-landfill disposal of analog televisions.

This weekend (November 12-13, 2008) Tulsa’s Video Revolution is accepting old electronics (analog TVs, VCR, stereos, etc) and will provide a discount up to $100 toward the purchase of a new television.

Another option is to take your unwated electronics to the Tulsa-based nonprofit Natural Evolution, Inc. Currently they are requiring a $15.00 charge for disposal of CTRs and analog televisions, but the fee beats any future environmental reprecussions.

And finally, take your old set to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Youth Services of Tulsa, DVIS, or any other number of Tulsa area nonprofits, that either offer items to sell or assist individuals with setting up house. To find area nonprofits who could use your unwatned analog television search the Tulsa Organizations and Services database. or phone the AskUs hotline for assistance 596.7977.