The INDEPENDENT, April 1, 2004 Tax forms change in 2004 The Oregon Department of Revenue is starting to process returns and wants to remind taxpayers about a few impor- tant changes to this year’s forms. All dollar amounts must be rounded. Taxpayers should not include any cents on their Ore- gon return. Including cents could cause the department’s processing system to calculate an incorrect tax amount and delay processing. Use the text highlighted in orange. Because Measure 30 did not pass, taxpayers should use the text highlighted in or- ange (not green) found throughout the full-year resi- dent or part-year resident/non- resident booklet. The surcharge did not be- come law. Taxpayers must leave the surcharge line blank or enter a zero (Form 40S, line 19, or Form 40, line 44). The “short” Form 40S looks different this year. Income amounts must be entered in each of the boxes that apply (8a – Wages, 8b – Unemploy- ment compensation, 8c – Inter- est and dividends) and the sum entered on line 8d. Taxpayers who already have filed and may have had errors do not need to do anything un- less the department contacts them for more information. The department will correct many of the errors in processing. How- ever, some errors may cause refund delays. Master Gardener Performance by will hold plant Broken Glory sale on Apr. 24 Broken Glory will perform at The eighth annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale sponsored by the OSU Columbia County Master Gardeners will be on Saturday, April 24, at the St. Helens High School Com- mons, 2375 Gable Rd., St. He- lens. The Fair will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As in past years, Master Gardeners will be selling toma- to plants for $1 each. They plan to have all of the standard favorites as well as heirloom types; descriptions of each va- riety will be available. The tomatoes are being grown this year by Nelson’s Nursery in Warren, and Shaft’s Farm in Scappoose. There will also be educa- tional materials on growing vegetables, roses and rhodo- dendrons; help with identifying weeds; an example of a cold frame, and information on dealing with pests. Master Gar- deners will also staff a plant clinic to answer gardening questions. Raffle tickets are on sale for $1 each. Prizes include a mini greenhouse, compost bin, cedar windmill, garden carts, tools, gloves, plants, trellises, birdhouses, garden art, gift certificates and more. For more information con- tact the OSU Extension office at 503-397-3462 or go to . the Vernonia Grange Hall, April 16 and 17 at 7:00 p.m., in a performance featuring mostly original music written during the last eight months. The band is composed of Jake Brock on lead vocals and guitar, Arlene Kulunki on lead guitar, Aaron Hunt on drums and percussion, Matt Bonora on keyboard, guitar and vo- cals, and Myles Brock on bass. “We’ve all worked hard on this and the majority of the songs in this show will, poten- tially, end up on our album,” said Jake Brock. “There have been a lot of personal hard- ships this year with death, ro- mance and growing up, and many of these songs represent that” he added. “Of course, we will do a cov- er or two,” he said. “How could we do a show without a song from Crosby, Stills and Nash?” The Vernonia Grange is lo- cated at 375 North Street.  Cinco De Mayo Taco Feed and Silent Auction   See next issue for More Info. Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay First off – a B i t e . D o w n the chain of com- m a n d from Bill, the Ver- n o n i a Lake park caretaker. He asked me to pass this along to the public. He received it from high- er up. Sooooo, dog walkers, leash your pets at all times walking the lake perimeter. Carry and use your doggie-do bags. Other folks want to enjoy their walks the same as you. All other folk, pick up your trash, please. This means on the lake for you boaters. Keep it in your boat, then put it in the cans pro- vided by the park people. We are very fortunate to have a lake to enjoy. We should take pride in wanting to share it with others coming to our city. Pretend, if necessary, it is your front yard. You do keep that un- cluttered, don’t you? Now – a word from a senior who is very disturbed by who knows who? We all enjoyed the wrought iron bench provided by a local group, that sat in front of the Center. I think you must have, too, but I fail to under- stand how you could totally de- stroy, for no reason, honest or imagined, something put there for the use of all of those want- ing to rest. Yes, I even saw a person sleeping on it one day this past month before it was wasted. My suggestion to the responsible folk – go to the Se- nior Center chair-person, admit your fault and make amends. The Center is there to help young and old but not to be used and have a “So What” thrown at them. OK. I’m off my soap box for a moment. Spring…I finally got out in my yard. I think that is what it is called, it’s still too soft and squishy to know for sure. And where the flowers belong, it is clay. I think I shall become a pot or tub gardener. I did not see the St. Paddies parade but the Sr. Center had their Corned Beef and Cab- bage Rolls a week later; good food, good music, and a full house. For those wondering, or not, yes, I’m still reading…at pres- ent, Tony Hillerman’s Finding Moon. A break from his Indian lore but still full of heartfelt in- trigue set in Cambodia and Vietnam in 1975. We’ve had a spring rain, seems we are lucky, no hail, no thunder, and no lightening, so, til next time… Thank the Flicker for eating up to 50,000 ants per day (by the way, it’s a woodpecker).