Last Chance: Income Tax Returns, MARC Youth Leadership & More

Staff Reports

The federal income tax deadline is April 17 this year, so you still have time to prepare your returns. Tax returns must be mailed by 11:59 p.m. next Tuesday. Here is an NPR story with information on finding last minute help. For information, see the U.S. Postal Service's web site.

Free tax return preparation help is also available. People who are unable to complete their tax return because of a disability may get assistance from a local IRS Tax Assistance Center or through a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly site (VITA or TCE). To find a Tax Assistance Center near you, click on contact IRS, on www.IRS.gov and then select contact your local IRS office. You can also find a nearby VITA or TCE location by calling 1-800-906-9887 or at http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep for VITA and www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide for TCE.

MARC Youth Leadership Program

The Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) youth leadership program is currently accepting applications for its 2012-2013 class. Any student currently in the 9th or 10th grade in a public or private high school in the 10-county region may apply. Home-schooled students are also eligible.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta region – created this youth leadership program almost 15 years ago to bring together teen leaders from high schools through­out the metro area who want to make a difference in their community. MARC brings together teen leaders from every county in the region for six months of field trips, hands-on activities and problem solving. In addition to learning about where they live, students will improve their presentation skills and learn how to work effectively in teams and build consensus. The class meets approximately once a month, on Saturdays, between September and March.

To apply, students must fill out the online application form on the ARC website, provide a written essay about the regional issues that interest them the most and obtain a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor. The selection committee evaluates the applications based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, level of interest, the written essay and recommendations. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 13. About 55 students are accepted each year, and students are notified mid-May.

See here for more information.Students, teachers or parents wanting more information may also contact Grace Trimble at 404-463-3192 or gtrimble@atlantaregional.com.

Urban Design Commision Awards of Excellence

The Atlanta Urban Design Commission is seeking nominations for its 35th annual Awards of Excellence.

The awards honor projects, programs, indviduals and organizations "that have significantly contributed toward the enhancement of the city of Atlanta's built environment, the preservation of our physical heritage, and the sympathetic balance between the old and the new," according to an announcement from the city's Department of Planning and Community Development.

The complete nominations must be received in the Office of Planning, Suite 3350, City Hall, by Monday, April 23. The nomination forms must be mailed or brought to the office, including images. Each submission must include 12 hard copies of all materials. For information, contact Denise Potts at 404-330-6201 or dpotts@atlnataga.gov.

Input on City of Atlanta Services

Are you satisfied with City of Atlanta services? Now you can give your input with the click of a mouse. The Atlanta City Council’s Finance/Executive Committee is inviting residents to provide input on their level of satisfaction with selected city services online on the city of Atlanta’s website at www.atlantaga.gov At the main webpage, click on the rotating image scroll that says “City of Atlanta Satisfaction Survey.”

Online feedback will be accepted until midnight April 30. The survey data will be compiled and a report will be generated for review and analysis as part of the Atlanta City Council’s 2013 City Budget Review Process.

Approaching Deadline for Visioning Applications

Each year, Park Pride supports communities in developing and realizing conceptual master plans for parks in their area through the Park Visioning Program.   Led by professional landscape architects on Park Pride’s staff, a community is taken  through an 8-month process of compiling community input to determine where their needs are and to design (or re-design) their neighborhood park, converting the community’s dream into a conceptual, but tangible, masterplan. The deadline for submitting applications is May 1, 2012.

CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA

The City of Atlanta, Department of Finance Office of Grants Services is currently accepting applications for the 2013 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) programs.

The attached application forms and instructions are available for agencies interested in applying for funding. Completed applications for 2013 CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funding must be submitted to the Office of Grants Management, 68 Mitchell Street, Suite 15100, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15. 

Interested agencies can also download the appropriate application by going to the city’s web site: Once you access the site, follow this path: Government -> Departments -> Finance -> Grant Services. On the Grant Services page, scroll to the Applications for 2013 HUD Funding topic area. There are applications and instructions (for both new projects and continuing projects) for CDBG, ESG, HOME and HOPWA.