Get Out and Explore!

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Do you want to try something new? Do you have a desire to explore a new location? Recently, I discovered a wonderful website that publishes about upcoming activities, events, things to do for free, etc. There is something for everyone, from the outdoors enthusiast to museum lovers to sports fans to theatrical production goers. 

Utah Valley offers a variety of things to do! Venture out and try something new! Who knows, maybe you’ll pick up a new hobby! If you enjoy art, be sure to stop by the BYU Museum of Art or the Woodbury Art Museum at Utah Valley University; or stroll downtown Provo the first Friday of every month. If you are an enthusiastic sports fan, there are numerous athletic events throughout Utah County. If you love writing and want to share your creative talents with others, come on down to Enliten Bakery on Thursday nights at 7:30 pm! Sign-ups start at 7 pm and it is FREE! Enliten Bakery is located at 43 East Center Street in Provo. If you are interested, you can look at their facebook page.

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If you enjoy drinking a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, winter day, then this is for you! Here are the results of Utah Valley’s Top Hot Chocolate Spots. Be sure to check them out!

Hot Lava at Sodalicious in Provo

The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Café in Provo

The Chocolate in Orem

Any 7-11 location

These are just a few of the activities and events that are happening! For more information, visit http://www.utahvalley.com. This is a great resource if you are looking to venture out and explore Utah Valley.

VITA: Your Financial Resource to Help You Keep the Money You Earn

Once again, it’s that time of year, tax season has arrived. Does filing your taxes by yourself seem like a daunting task? Are you unsure of where to start? Do not fear, VITA is here! The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free income tax preparation for individuals or families with an annual gross income of $53,000 or less during 2014.

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There are numerous locations throughout Utah County offering this service! One of these locations will be at the South Franklin Community Center located at 770 South 700 West in Provo. IRS-certified volunteers will be at the community center on Thursday from 5-8 pm starting February 5^th until April 9^th.  If you are interested, call 2-1-1 and make an appointment today!   

Well Known Toddler Books

In a partnership with Everyday Learners, we will be posting a monthly favorite book list for toddlers up until junior high. We hope that as you browse the list, you and your child (ren) find something of interest, find a cozy spot, and read together. There are many magical adventures that can be enjoyed while reading a good book! Feel free to check out the Everyday Learners blog here for reading tips, book recommendations, etc. For our first installment, we have a wonderful list of toddler books!         

**Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno (3 English copies at Provo Library)

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*Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin, Jr. (6 English copies at Provo Library)

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*Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (7 English copies & 5 Spanish copies at Provo Library)

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+*Where’s Spot?  by Eric Hill (2 Spanish copies at Provo Library)

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+Max’s First Word by Rosemary Wells

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*Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (8 English copies & 2 Spanish copies at Provo Library)

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Daisy says, “If You’re Happy and You Know It” by Jane Simmons

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Dressing by Helen Oxenbury

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**Black on White by Tana Hoban (5 English copies at Provo Library)

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*The Escape of Marvin the Ape by Caralyn and Mark Buehner (1 Spanish copy at Provo Library)

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*Also published in Spanish
**Wordless book
+ Book in a series

All these books can be purchased online; some are available at the Provo Library. The Provo Library is located at 550 North University Avenue. 

Community Resources At Your Fingertips!

Are you looking for a daycare provider, but you aren't sure where to look? Does your child need to see a doctor and you are concerned how to pay for that doctor office visit? Would you like help earning your GED, high school diploma, or learning English? Great news! There are resources that can help you!

            For example, Turning Point offers free GED and other adult classes. Community Action Services and Food Bank help families receive food in tight circumstances. And Care About Child Care provides classes for daycare providers and referrals to daycare!  

For additional information regarding community resources contact United Way of Utah County’s 211 program by dialing 2-1-1 or visit their website at unitedwayuc211.org. United Way cares about the community and one way this is seen is making resources accessible at your fingertips.

    

Sharing My Passion Leads to Happiness

Volunteering can make a difference in your life and the lives of those you are serving. Shelbey, is one of our amazing piano instructors, here is her experience:

"One day, I realized that I hardly ever did anything for anyone else. Sure, I try to help my husband and family, but that is so basic and so easy. As for helping my community...I felt like a waste of space and air.

To combat the self-loathing, I started looking for volunteer opportunities and the expected things popped up--working with the elderly and special needs children--the two types of people I'm really awkward around, because I have no experience with either one. But I knew they needed willing people, so I took a deep breath and starting sending emails.

Suddenly, I had anxiety. I was not looking forward to these opportunities. I begged my husband to do it with me just so I wouldn't be alone every week. I knew this would turn out to be one of those things I dread... And I was certain I'd end up dropping out.

I decided that if I wanted to give service with longevity, I needed to do something that I felt comfortable with. There are plenty of angels on earth to help with the elderly and special needs, but I felt as if my life had prepared me for a different kind of service.

Enter United Way. Through BYU's service website, I found that United Way was looking for music teachers for children who might not be able to have music lessons otherwise.

Children + teaching + music. Now THAT was what I was looking for! I signed up and started teaching this past September.

It has been more rewarding than I could ever imagine. I spend an hour and a half once a week teaching three adorable children piano or singing. In addition to growing my own music skills by teaching others, I've made friends with the children and their parents--something I certainly didn't expect. We laugh, we learn, and we make music.

Shelbey's students attended a play she was in.

What I've learned is that it's okay if service doesn't feel like service; it can be outright fun! Think about what you're passionate about and find out how you can teach that passion to others; that's the recipe for one type of meaningful service. It might be with United Way or it might not, but get out there and do it!"

We would like to encourage you to find a cause or something that interests you and get involved in your community!