One by-product of the coronavirus pandemic has been a resurgence of magic.
Not the magic of J.R.R. Tolkeinâs elves, nor the whimsical transfiguration that lifted James into a life adventure, bound on his travels in a giant stone fruit. Not even the magic of Salman Rushdie and his alchemical combination of religion and history; nor the wizardry by which the world shifts in an Octavia Butler novel.
No, the kind of sorcery that has been rekindled is bigger than those. Itâs what Stephen King called âa uniquely portable kind of magicâ â books themselves.
By one count by Global English Editing, reading has increased by 35% worldwide during the pandemic, though that number dips to 25% in the United States. Unless you work in health care and other essential industries (or journalism) you might have found yourself with some extra time over the past year, and thereâs only so much streaming television you can watch.
Dail Barbour is ready to get back to work despite what could be a tense situation when she returns to the Teton County Library Board.
Thatâs in part the result of a four-month-long legal dispute with the Teton County Board of County Commissioners, which removed her from the library board without notice and behind closed doors in November.
Barbour filed a lawsuit and won an initial hearing in court, after which the County Commission reinstated her to the board. Although the suit is settled, some of the questions it raised about transparency and the library are not. In an interview after her reinstatement Barbour said the support she received from the community â she crowdfunded over $10,000 for legal fees but plans to donate the money â wasnât about her.
VITA program offers free tax prep services for Teton Valley residents
Even in the best of circumstances, filing taxes can easily feel daunting or intimidating. This year, as many families are reflecting on pandemic-induced unemployment, nationwide economic tumult, medical bills, and other unexpected financial upheaval, the specter of Tax Time may feel even more overwhelming.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance â an IRS-sponsored tax preparation program â trains volunteers to help with federal and state tax filing for a wide variety of individuals and households. The program is open to the vast majority of the community, and is completely free of cost.
In collaboration with the Valley of the Tetons Library, an enthusiastic trio of adept volunteers is currently accepting community members who would like some help filing their 2020 taxes. Kathleen Haar, Sue Miller, and Ken Kirkpatrick have received IRS training and certification to prepare taxes for Teton Valley residents.