Community
MICHELLE NASH michelle.nash@metroland.com
446943
• Expert Tax Preparation • Financial Planning • RRSP’s • Investments No Appointment Necessary
613.729.5999
1167 Wellington St. W. Just East of Parkdale
447338
Ottawa’s Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now is getting ready to offer free tax clinics that area set to begin on Feb.7 for families of low to moderate incomes. This is the third year the organization, known as ACORN, has offered this service. In 2010, they helped over 660 low income individuals file their 2009 tax returns. The service also offers help in filling back returns. ACORN hopes this service will help low income families realize the best tax return possible. ACORN volunteer Wayne Mahoney wants to make sure as many people as possible find out
about this free service. “We have found that people who are low income haven’t heard about us and this time around we wanted to make sure people knew who we were and the kind of free services that we offer,” Mahoney said. ACORN estimates the service has saved clients close to $113,000. The group hopes services such as these help change some low income people’s situation one dollar at a time. “Book as soon as possible because the spaces have been filling up pretty quickly,” Mahoney said. The clinic is booking appointments now and will open their clinic to the public on Feb. 7 and the clinic will run until May 21.
February 10, 2011 - OTTAWA THIS WEEK - WEST
ACORN offers free tax clinics
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Ask the Expert... I am very concerned about my 84 year old mother who has been living on her own for 9 years since my father passed away. She is increasingly forgetful and is calling us all the time asking one of us to come over to help her with so many things. She won’t consider moving from her home. Your mom probably is lonely and perhaps this is a great time to talk to her about having a reliable person that she gets to know and trust, come into her home, on her terms and on a regular basis, to help. Increasingly, seniors and their families hire a regular caregiver to help enable the independence of the senior. The families benefit from knowing that their parent is with someone whom they enjoy and trust, helping them with daily tasks ranging from personal care, medication reminders, grocery shopping and meal preparation, to light housekeeping and laundry. The parent benefits from having someone with them on a regular basis whom they enjoy and look forward spending time with. Families, as a whole, benefit because time is better balanced when they are together. Rather than running around doing errands and taking care of their parents, adult children can connect with their parents and enjoy better quality time. Contact Comfort Keepers for more information and a free assessment by our Nurse Case Manager about meeting a trusted and reliable caregiver who will help your parent in their own home.
613-820-1612
www.comfortkeepers.ca
Q. A.
SHARI WESTMAN
What does Electrolysis cost? Electrolysis is charged by the length of time. Therefore the cost depends on the area of the body, and the density of the hair growth. The most common area treated by electrolysis is the facial area, which usually requires 15 minute to 30 minute treatments. During a consultation an electrologist will examine your area, offer you a sample treatment and provide you with an estimate. At that time you will be an informed consumer and know the approximate cost of the treatment for your particular area. Remember electrolysis is permanent; therefore it’s a lifetime investment. Most of my clients’ only regret is that they didn’t begin treatments sooner. Check with your extended health provider as many companies cover facial electrolysis treatments.
Kathryn Hay Caress Electrolysis Ltd.
Nepean Chamber of Commerce, Business Woman of the Year 2008
613-825-2299 35 Larkin Dr. at Greenbank Rd. CaressElectrolysis.com
449231
McBead Creations
Q. A. Q. A.
Rod Vanier, Lawyer
My daughter wants to come in on March Break to do beading. Is there something that my two boys can do? Yes, definitely! Boys love to make beaded spiders, necklaces using sport, wood, bone, glass and metal beads, key chains, book marks, as well as gifts for teachers and the whole family. I’m getting married this summer and would like to make jewellery for my attendants. Is it possible to do so? It certainly is possible! Once you have chosen your dresses, it would be wise to book an appointment with our bridal consultant who will help you match colours and styles. Other accessories can be made for their hair, shoes and bags. Some brides come in to our store and have a party with their moms, grandmas and bridal attendants to each make their own jewellery. Our goal is to make your wedding preparations and your Wedding Day as perfect as possible.
McBead Creations Nepean’s Family Friendly Bead Store
613.224.2143
3 Chartwell Ave., Unit #6, Craig Henry Plaza, Nepean www.mcbeadcreations.com 441904
Q. A.
I have been living with someone for three years…So, we’re considered married. Right? Wrong. This is the biggest misconception I run across in my practise of law. If a couple have co-habited for any period of time, you are in a Common Law Relationship with limited rights. The number of rights depends on the length of cohabitation. Some employee plans offer medical and drug benefits to C/L spouses after 6 months of cohabitation. Tax laws give benefits after one year. The Family Law Act gives support rights after three years if there are no children. But there are some very important rights that come only with marriage. For instance, the act of marriage makes your spouse your next-of-kin. This is critical for inheritance rights. If your C/L spouse passes away no Will, the surviving spouse will inherit nothing, regardless of the sacrifice. Also, when there is a separation of a C/L couple, there are no property sharing rights. Therefore you only get to keep what is yours. Of course, these aspects of a C/L relationship can be changed with a Co-habitation Agreement and/or a Last Will and Testament. This way a couple can determine what their rights will be as they live (and die) together. Do not take any rights for granted.
90 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean, ON K2G 6B1 Phone 613 226-3336 • Fax 613 226 8767 vanier@vanierlaw.on.ca
442403
Q. A.
Caress Electrolysis
436796
Comfort Keepers
444495