Blog Roundup: Bethesda Literary Festival, Tax Deadline Approaches, Spring Allergies

Tax Deadline Countdown: Employees Can Deduct Workplace Expenses

If you haven’t filed your taxes, what are you waiting for? Is it the loads of penalty and fees you will be hit with?

Okay, I want you to be ahead of the game and get the most back for your buck. This week I will give you advice on mistakes people make and deductions that your tax preparer may have overlooked.

Latest from the Governor: We’re Committed to Victims’ Families

In Maryland, we focus on the policies that work to drive down crime, and together with the men and women of law enforcement, we’ve driven down violent crime to three-decade lows. We did this by focusing on things that work, and by identifying things that don’t work and eliminating them. The death penalty doesn’t reduce violent crime, and it’s expensive. That’s why, this session, we came together to eliminate the death penalty and replace it with life without parole.

African Leaders Avoid U.S. Blacks

Two weeks ago, President Obama met with three African presidents—Koroma (Sierra Leone), Sall (Senegal), Banda (Malawi), and Prime Minister of Cape Verde Jose Maria Pereira Neves.

This was the White House’s way of rewarding these leaders for their examples of good governance. Receiving an invitation to the White House is one of the most sought after invitations in the world, especially for foreign leaders.

Status update - how is that whole chillin' out thing going?

In a blog post I wrote about 18 months ago chastising myself for giving in to the youth soccer hype, I promised the following:

• I will stop coaching from the sidelines and during the car ride home.
• I will stop groaning at a goal against or other silly mistakes.
• I will let parent politics be. If you believe the grass is greener elsewhere, best of luck - life will go on.

Finalists Announed in Bethesda Literary Festival Essay and Short Story Contest

Finalists have been selected in the Bethesda Literary Festival’s Essay and Short Story Contests. Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine partnered to invite adults ages 18 and over and high school students (grades 9-12) to enter a 500-word essay or a 4,000-word short story. Finalists were selected from more than 400 submissions.

Join us on the New America Meditating Radio Show! (Monday - Friday at 8 a.m.)

As we forge ahead to increase compassion and wisdom in ourselves and the world, we are humbled to inform you of the new “America Meditating” Radio Show. You can tune in on Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Be a guest speaker, or hear stories that will offer insight on how to better manage our thoughts, relationships and our world.

What's going around - Spring allergies

Ah, spring. The sun shines, the birds chirp, and people everywhere sneeze and cough from allergies. Spring is usually the time when people with allergies suffer the most. Springtime allergies can take a toll on both adults and children and can put a damper on an otherwise much anticipated change of seasons.

What are allergies?

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