Tax exemptions

The Tamaqua Area School District is accepting Assessed Occupation Tax exemption applications for the 2011-20112 school year. This will cover the 2011 calendar year. This year's forms are blue.Retired persons and housewives with no earned income, who have previously been exempted, do not need to file again unless their status has changed and they are now earning income. Also, those who are disabled or at least 75 years of age, who have been specifically notified of their exemption by the district, need not file an application.Students who reach the age of 18 by June 30, 2011, will be responsible for paying the tax unless exempt by application.Requests for exemption must be filed with the district by March 1, 2011. Application forms are available at the following locations: school district administration building; local tax collectors' offices; the Tamaqua Public Library; Tamaqua Borough Hall; local post offices; and all local bank branches.Christmas treesThe Borough of Tamaqua's Street Department will be collecting discarded Christmas trees throughout January. Residents are to place their trees curbside on their regular trash collection days. Trees will be collected as time and weather permit.Trees must be free of all tinsel and decorations. Residents are also asked to remove any plastic bags from the trees. Trees may also be dropped off behind the Tamaqua Borough Garage, at 421 rear E. Broad St.No trees will be collected after Jan. 31.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Rodney Wells will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include special music by the Cherub Choir and will be followed by a congregational meeting. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Annual Winter Picnic, sponsored by the Sunday School, will begin at 12:30 p.m.Activities for next week include: Monday, Women's Bible study at 6 p.m.; Thursday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m. and the Confirmation class meets at 6:30 p.m.Choir rehearsals are held on Thursdays. Next week's schedule will include: Cherub Choir at 6:30 p.m., Junior Choir at 7 p.m., and Senior Choir at 7:45 p.m.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Nursery care is provided. Sunday school for all ages is held at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, Commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Men's Fraternity meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, GriefShare, adult Bible study and Tamaqua Youth Ministry meet at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Musician rehearsal at 9 a.m., praise practice at 9:30 a.m.Calvary UMThe Rev. Brian Reading will officiate at Sunday's 10:25 a.m. worship service in Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, an evening of praise, worship and Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m.An hour of praise and prayer is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m.