Solving the Social Security Puzzle

We hear regularly from people approaching retirement that Social Security is overwhelming! The rules are complicated, and it’s difficult to get answers from the Social Security Administration. That’s where we can help! Don’t miss our upcoming workshop: Solving the Social Security Puzzle.

We will address some of the important questions about Social Security Including:

Will Social Security be there when I’m ready to claim?
How are my benefits calculated?
How much will I potentially get?
How can I potentially get more?

What you will see is that a small change in strategy might mean much more money down the road! So please join us.

WHEN: Wednesday November 18th, 6:30p.m.

Where: City Hall in Atkins

All are welcome but seating is limited

RSVP to Deanne Becker at 743-2912 or sshaw1@ft.nyl.com.

We look forward to seeing you on the 18^th!

October Newsletter

October 2015 Newsletter

TREES, TREES & MORE TREES! You may have noticed a big change around the City Hall/Library building this month. The planting of 25 trees took place on Sunday, Sept. 20^th. Atkins was awarded a $2,728.99 grant from the Branching Out program to plant the trees. The Branching Out program is a three-way partnership between Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and the Atkins Improvement Mission (AIM) to promote energy efficiency and also help beautify the area. Two additional oak trees were planted in memory of Jim Heitzman, donated by his wife Bonnie. A special thank you to Rich Scheer and Rob Hursh who brought in an auger to dig all of the holes for us! WHEW!!! And a huge thank you to all of the 47 volunteers who gave up their afternoon to help, including Boy Scouts from Pack #46, Girl Scouts from Pack #366, City employees, AIM Committee members and many other local citizens. You did an awesome job!

AIM For a Better Atkins

AIM (Atkins Improvement Mission) has taken on the Soccer Park as their next project. Phase One is to enclose part of the open air pavilion. The initial plan is for the area to be used for concessions during soccer events. Central Lutheran was already able to utilize it for a tournament last Saturday. A garage door will be added to the service window to complete this phase. Special thanks to Bill Rinderknecht and Dick Lange for donating their time to enclose the area. We are looking for donations of used refrigerators, microwaves and kitchen cabinets in good condition. Please contact Dick Lange at 446-7818 if you have anything to donate. Phase Two – the construction of restrooms at the Soccer Park. Work will begin in the spring. Restrooms will be in a separate building located west of the pavilion. The Atkins Community Club is helping to finance the restrooms by providing part of their profits from Watermelon Days for the project. AIM is sponsoring a Harvest Hoedown on November 7 at Bloomsbury Farm to raise additional funds for the restrooms. Advanced tickets are $25 per person- $30 at the door. You can read more about this event in this newsletter or watch for a flier in the mail. Space is limited so you will want to order your tickets early for the “Party for the Potties”. Once the restrooms are complete and water and sewer are run to the kitchen/concession area, citizens will be able to rent the kitchen/pavilion much like the pavilion in the City Park. Watch future newsletters for more information

New Books

Richard Castle Driving Heat J. A. Jance Dance of the Bones Lee Child Make Me Linwood Barclay Broken Promises Harper Lee Go Set A Watchman Sandra Brown Friction Ottessa Moshfegh Eileen Jack DuBrul Lighting Stones J. D. Robb Devoted in Death Catherine Coulter The End Game Reading Group book for October is Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.

The group meets on the second Monday at 2:00

Atkins Family Clinic Is offering walk in flu shots Walk in on October 29th and 30th From 8am to 5pm

Blood Drive

Atkins City Hall

November 25^th,2015

From 3:30pm to 6:30pm

Atkins Neighbors,

We hear regularly from people approaching retirement that Social Security is overwhelming! The rules are complicated, and it’s difficult to get answers from the Social Security Administration. That’s where we can help! Don’t miss our upcoming workshop: Solving the Social Security Puzzle. We will address some of the important questions about Social Security Including:

Will Social Security be there when I’m ready to claim? How are my benefits calculated? How much will I potentially get? How can I potentially get more?

WHEN: Wednesday November 18^th, 6:30p.m. Where: City Hall in Atkins All are welcome but seating is limited

RSVP to Deanne Becker at 743-2912 or sshaw1@ft.nyl.com. We look forward to seeing you in November.

Halloween Safety

Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime for safety of the skin.

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Enter homes with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Friendly Reminder from Benton County

Tips for Keeping your car safe!

1. Don’t leave your car unlocked

2. Never leave your car running, especially while it is unattended or unlocked

3. Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle. Many people keep a spare key under the car, just in case they get locked out and thieves know exactly where to check for an extra key, while getting locked out of your car is a pain, think about the potential hassle of your car getting stolen.

4. Never leave your windows open. Even during the summer when it is hot, don’t leave your windows open or slightly cracked when you are not in the vehicle

5. Park in well-lit, public areas.

6. Install an audible alarm system and a visible anti-theft device.

7. Consider installing a GPS Tracking system.

8. Don’t leave valuable personal property in your car. The best way to attract a thief is to leave your purse or another high value item in a highly visible area of your car. If you must put something of value in your car, keep it in the trunk or under the seats, where it is not visible to others.

9. Use Common Sense. If you are wary of the safety of your car or see someone loitering around the parking lot, it’s best to park somewhere else. It’s better to walk a few extra steps than to have your car stolen because you ignored your instincts.

Atkins Community Club

Halloween Party

We welcome everyone to come to the annual Atkins Halloween Party at the Legion Hall!

Saturday, October 31^st from 4:00-5:30pm

Free Glow Items can be picked up

at the Legion after 3:00pm.

Free refreshments – hot dogs, popcorn, cookies, bars and punch

Your donation of cookies and bars is greatly appreciated.

Please drop them off at the Legion Hall any time after 3:00pm.

Costume Judging Contest starts at 5:00pm.

6 categories of judging

1. 0-2 years of age

2. 3-5 years of age

3. 6-10 years of age

4. 11-14 years of age

5. Group

6. Most Original

Atkins Community Club wishes you a safe and Happy Halloween!

If you have any questions, please contact:

Christy Damon at #446-602

ATKINS NEWSLETTER

October 2015

CIVIC INFORMATION

Atkins City Hall Department of Public Works Atkins Public Library

City Clerk-Amber Bell Water & Sewer Cathy Becker

Deputy- DaShawn Wilson Mike Jennings Vicky Myers

480 3^rd Avenue Todd Damon (319) 446-7676

Atkins, IA 52206-0171 (319) 446-7870

(319) 446-7870

(319) 446-6003 (fax) Atkins Post Office

(319) 446-7272

City Hall Hours Connie Drahos

Monday to Friday

7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pavilion Rental Fire Department

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (319) 446-7676 Fire Chief – Gary Lange (319) 446-7400

Mayor– Dave Becker

City Council– Diane Herman, Kevin Korsmo, Tim Harbach, Nathan Shepard, Weston Bishop. Council meetings First and Third Monday, each month, 7:30 PM, New City Hall

Council meeting minutes available at post office and on line at www.cityofatkins.org

Akins City Hall Presort Standard Mail

PO Box 171 Postage Paid

480 3^rd Avenue Permit # 30

Atkins, IA 52206 Atkins, IA 52206

ECRWSS Postal Patron

Atkins, IA 52206

Craft Bizarre

Legion Breakfast October 7th, 2018

Solving the Social Security Puzzle

Annual Poultry Party

October 2015 Newsletter

October 2015 Newsletter

Harvest Hoedown

Atkins Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church Annual Turkey Dinner

Atkins Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church Soup Supper

Fall Brunch

Boy Scouts of America Food Drive

Atkins Women’s Club Soup Lunch

Legion Breakfast

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for the Bobcat Marching Band

Benton Community Band/Vocal Concert

Halloween Party at the Legion Hall

Links:

Contact Information:

Pavilion Reservations

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