We are pleased to point you to the community calendar on the DMARC website. You may access it at any time. Feel free to upload your own events! Scroll down the calendar page and click "Submit an Event".

  After Silence, That Which Comes Nearest

The next Comparison Project event is Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, 7pm, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Student Center, 1150 28th St., Des Moines. Poets and philosophers have long agreed about music's ability to express the inexpressible. The kinds of music to which they imputed this elevated capability, though, varied widely. Much of music's ability to reach beyond verbal language then, is granted by and relies upon the expectations of the listener, rather than being inherent in the music itself, according to Jonathan D. Bellman  a professor of Music History at Univ. of Northern Colorado. His presentation will receive a response by Eric Saylor, Assoc. Prof of Music History and Musicology at Drake University. Visit www.comparisonproject.wordpress.drake.edu or email comparisonproject@drake.edu.

Care and Kindness Conference 

This conference aims to ignite in all God's children a sense of calling to demonstrate to friends, colleagues, neighbors and even strangers, extraordinary kindness and compassion. Join us on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 & 22, 2014, 6:30-9pm, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Ave., Des Moines. Author and pastor, Dr. James R. Kok, has articulated his message in the books he has written, but his book, "90% of Helping Is Just Showing Up!" particularly addresses the theme of the Care and Kindness Campaign. Throughout his book he teaches that great amounts of healing and helping are administered through the simple act of just "being there" with persons as they go through their hurt. We are please to welcome additional speakers who will share the positive impact care and kindness has on our sometimes pessimistic and heartless world. They will bring their own unique perspectives based on their individual areas of expertise. For more info, check out  www.westpres.org/in_church_life/care__kindness_conference.php.

Eyes Wide Open! Conference is February 22nd

An informative conference on Human Trafficking in Iowa is Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, 9-11:30am at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Dr., Urbandale. Minors are being trafficked in Iowa's rural towns and metro areas every day of the week. The average age of entry into sex trafficking victimization is between 11 and 14 years of age. Speakers are Benny Yu, El Pozo de Vide in Mexico; Teresa Downing-Matibag, Network Against Human Trafficking; Iowa Representative Tom Shaw; and Dr. Sara Swansen YESS 

Plus, Friday evening, Feb. 21st, at 7pm, you are invited to join Vineyard Church and Benny Yu for a time of worship and prayer for our city at 2332 Euclid Ave. in Des Moines. For more info, contact: Sue Holcomb 515-556-6742 or Sherri Harder 515-778-6512.

Kidsfest is Friday, February 28, 6-9pm at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Varied Industries Bldg.

Kidsfest is a family-oriented festival that features fun activities, games and entertainment for kids and their families. This exciting event is attended by more than 15,000 every year. Proceeds benefit the programs of Children & Families of Iowa.
Visit www.cfiowa.org or like CFI's Kidsfest page on Facebook. Presented by Veridian.  

• Also Saturday March 1, from 9am-6pm
• Also Sunday March 2, from 10am-4pm    

Join us for the 3rd Annual Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, March 4, 5-7pm, to raise money for the Johnston DMARC Food Pantry, Clothes Closet and JUMP Student Mentor Program. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, milk and coffee for $5, while listening to live jazz from the Johnston Station Jazz Band. Representatives from our supported programs will be available to share the services we provide in the community. Questions? Contact Barb Allen at 515-577-2194, or Summit Middle School, 9500 Windsor Pkwy, Johnston.

Spring Into Action with CULTIVATE IOWA
Gary Oppenheimer, founder and executive Director of AmpleHarvest.org will keynote at the Iowa Arboretum in Madrid on Tuesday, March 11, 8am-12:30pm. Following the keynote will be a dynamic panel discussion, hands-on demonstrations, exhibits and marerials for you to implement a Cultivate Iowa campaign  in your community. For more info, go to: www.cultivateiowa.org. Event is sponsored by the Iowa Food Systems Council. RSVP for lunch at: To reserve your Cultivate Iowa campaign materials, exhibit space and lunch, RSVP today at www.surveymonkey.com/s/GZ3K3VB 

I'll Make Me A World in Iowa - Black History Education Day

Iowa's African American Festival is February 14 & 15 at the Iowa Event's Center Hy-Vee Hall, 730 Third St., Des Moines. For details, go to: www.worldiniowa.com  

• Featuring the Black History Game Show, on Friday February 14, 9am-2pm. 
• Embracing Excellence Gala - Sweet 16:  Fun, Funk & Fabulous! Friday Evening February 14, 7-10:30pm 
• Celebration Day, Saturday February 15, 10am-7pm

Better Choices, Better Health Classes Begin

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, anxiety, these workshops will empower you to take an active role in managing your health. Practical ways to manage with pain and fatigue, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, set realistic goals, explore new treatment options, and learn effective ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health. This 6-week-long, weekly 2 1/2-hour classes are sponsored by Mercy Medical Center. For more info, email Program Coordinator Rachel Scheib or Administrative Assistant Stacey Clough. Or call 515-643-8632. Classes will be held the following dates and locations: 

• The Village, 1203 North E St., Indianola, starting March 4, 1pm
• Union Park United Methodist Church, 2305 E. 12th St., DM, starting March 6, 1pm
• Iowa Heart Center, WDM, starting March 6, 6pm

Post Traumatic Growth: An Optimistic View of Trauma
Workshop will be held on March 8, 2014, 8:30am-12:30pm at Unity Church of Des Moines. Presented by Geral Blanchard, therapist and author and Jamie Horn. Therapeutic music by Deb Jennings of Sounds for the Soul. Trauma doesn't need to destroy you.  It can be a catalyst for amazing personal growth. From his latest book, "Transcending Trauma," Geral will share inspirational cross-cultural stories of astonishing growth that many trauma "victims" have experienced, thriving after exceedingly painful life situations.  Jamie Horn, whose story is featured in his book. She will share her story of sexual abuse by a teacher and how the use of unconventional treatment, including a sacred resorative justice healing circle, helped her experience post traumatic growth. Deb Jennings will present a therapeutic transformative sound session and share how sound healing can play an integral role in post traumatic growth. The workshop will feature common sense recovery strategies. Geral, Jamie and Deb will be available for a limited number of individual consultations in the afternoon.  Sign up for these at the morning workshop registration. Workshop fee $35. Unity of Des Moines, 414 31st St., Des Moines, IA. 

IRS Kicks Off 2014 Tax Season; Individual Returns Can Be Filed Now; Free Online Services Available to Help With Filing, Refunds, EITC  

Online Tools at IRS.gov Available to Help

Aimed at individuals and families who made $51,567 or less last year, the EITC varies by income, family size and filing status. People can see if they qualify by visiting IRS.gov and answering a few questions using the EITC Assistant, a special online tool. Eligible taxpayers can also use another helpful online resource, the VITA Site Locator tool to locate one of nearly 13,000 community-based volunteer tax sites consisting of over 90,000 volunteers that can help them file their return for free.

The EITC Assistant and VITA Site Locator are just two of a growing array of online and automated IRS services that can help taxpayers get the information they need to file their returns and get their refunds quickly.

Tele-Tax, for example, help taxpayers see if they qualify for various tax benefits, such as the Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit for eligible families, the American Opportunity Tax Credit for parents and college students, the saver's credit for low-and moderate-income workers saving for retirement and energy credits for homeowners making qualifying energy-saving home improvements. The automated IRS services can also help home-based businesses check out the new simplified option for claiming the home office deduction, a straightforward computation that allows eligible taxpayers to claim $5 per square foot, up to a maximum of $1,500, instead of filling out a 43-line form (Form 8829) with often complex calculations.

When taxpayers are ready to fill out and file their returns, another online option, available exclusively on IRS.gov, enables anyone to e-file their returns for free. Free File offers two free electronic filing options: brand-name tax software or online Fillable Forms. Taxpayers who make $58,000 or less can choose free options from 14 commercial software providers. There's no income limit for the second option, Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which is best suited to people who are comfortable preparing their own tax return.

Even after taxpayers file, there are more online tools that can provide them with valuable assistance long after tax season ends. One of the most popular is Where's My Refund? a tool available on IRS.gov that enables taxpayers to track the status of their refund. Initial information will normally be available within 24 hours after the IRS receives the taxpayer's e-filed return or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a paper return to the IRS. The system updates every 24 hours, usually overnight, so there's no need to check more often.

For taxpayers whose concern isn't a refund, but rather, a tax bill they can't pay, the Online Payment Agreement tool can help them determine whether they qualify for an installment agreement with the IRS. And those whose tax obligation is even more serious, the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier can help them determine if they qualify for an offer in compromise, an agreement with the IRS that settles their tax liability for less than the full amount owed.

Another useful year-round tool, the IRS Withholding Calculator, helps employees make sure the amount of income tax taken out of their pay is neither too high nor too low. This tool can be particularly useful to taxpayers who, after filling out their tax returns, find that the refund or balance due was higher than expected.

Tax Help Through YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr

The IRS also offers more than 100 short instructional videos, tax tips and other useful resources year-round through a variety of social media platforms. They include:

• YouTube, available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
• Several twitter feeds in English and Spanish at @IRSnews, @IRSenEspanol and @IRStaxpros.
• Tumblr at www.internalrevenueservice.tumblr.com.

The IRS only uses social media tools to share information with the public, not to answer personal tax or account questions. And the IRS reminds taxpayers to never post confidential information, such as a Social Security number, on social media sites.

Save the Date! The Morning Rises Concert is May 1 

Rising Sun Church of Christ will be hosting THE MORNING RISES Tour featuring Aaron Shust, Mike Schair, Jonny Diaz, and Lauren Daigle on May 1. Tickets are $15 and went on sale February 1st, at www.risingsunchurch.org.  All seats are general admission. We are very excited about this opportunity for the Des Moines area! Questions? Contact Office Administrator Kris Wolf, Rising Sun Church of Christ at: 515-265-7393 or KrisW@risingsunchurch.org