Program Corner
Until recently, all of the readings on Minds Eye were done by
reading from a printed page- newspapers, books, or magazines.
However, as the publishing and journalistic world changes, Minds
Eye is continuing to adapt and change along with them. Many
programs are now being read from a publication’s website;
volunteers find links to the articles they want to read and read
them from a computer monitor. This gives our listeners same day
access to newspapers and other publications that either Minds Eye
cannot get or that come too late in the mail to be timely.
The program in the spotlight today is not available in print at all;
it is an online only publication called the St. Louis Beacon. The
Beacon is an online newspaper published by former St. Louis
Post-Dispatch journalists whose mission it is to “provide news
that matters.” As the website developed, it became apparent that
the Beacon would become an important alternative to traditional
news sources in our area. The only question was how should
Minds Eye provide this to our listeners?
The volunteers created a unique and informative program from
the Beacon’s website. They read local and regional news, local
issues and politics, health and science, arts and life, and featured
columnists. The Beacon airs on Minds Eye at 11:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, with volunteer Susy Gray, and Friday, with volunteer
Terry Riffel.
Listener Lowdown
Jewell has been a Minds Eye listener since 1993. She was born in
1917 in Odessa, MO, population, 2,000. Her family owned a dairy
farm where she helped tend to the cows. “It was my job to herd them
back to the pasture. Heaven forbid if an automobile or tractor came
up the road, you just can’t rush 30 cows!” She also helped deliver
milk with her father. She jokingly says, “[she] was on and off the
wagon” for many years. In her spare time, Jewell took elocution
lessons and gave recitations at social events.
She married her husband in 1940 and moved to St. Louis because of
his teaching position in Affton. He was also the baseball coach, which
fostered Jewell’s love of the sport. Jewell and her husband received a
subscription to the Muny Opera when they moved to St. Louis, and she
was amazed that thousands of people were in attendance and she
did not know another soul except her husband. “Coming from a
small town where everyone knew each other to becoming a
complete stranger was a new and disconcerting feeling.”
Jewell and her husband have two children, a son and daughter.
Tragically, they lost their 19 year old son in an automobile accident.
Her daughter lives in Fenton, and while Jewell doesn’t have any
grandchildren, she does have a grand dog named Lucky. She talks
with her daughter every day and “she’s my chauffer too!”
As an active member of St. Lucas U.C.C. Church, Jewell is involved in
the women’s association, fellowship group, and has served on the
church council.
Jewell found out about Minds Eye Information Service when she
visited the St. Louis Society for the Blind. “I was told about three
opportunities that would impact the quality of my life; the Wolfner
Library, Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Minds Eye
Information Service. Since I became legally blind, Minds Eye has
become an important part of my life because it stimulates my thinking
and provides so many programs that are of interest me. I just love it!”
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How the IRA Charitable Rollover can Help
You and Minds Eye
James, age 72, lives comfortably on his pension, savings, and Social
Security. He is required to take minimum withdrawals from his IRA
and is taxed on those funds. This distribution also causes more of
his Social Security income to be taxed. However, by directing part of
his mandatory IRA withdrawal to charity, he avoids reporting that
amount as income and does not pay taxes on those funds. He also
bypasses additional tax on his Social Security benefits.
This is just one example of how the IRA Charitable Rollover can
benefit both you and Minds Eye. If you are interested in taking
advantage of the tax benefits like James, here are the key provisions:
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Donors must be age 70½ at the time the gift is made.
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Charitable gifts to be made directly from an IRA to the charity.
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An individual can give a maximum of $100,000 in 2008 and an
additional $100,000 in 2009. A spouse can give an equal amount
from his/her IRA.
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Individuals can make as many gifts in any amount to as many
charities as desired as long as the total does not exceed $100,000
for 2008 and an additional $100,000 in 2009.
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The gift may NOT be made in exchange for a charitable gift annuity
or to a charitable remainder trust.
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The gift may NOT be made to a private foundation, donor advised
fund, or supporting organization
[as described in section 509(a)(3)].
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Donors who have reached age 70½ and are required to make
minimum required distributions can direct the entire amount
(subject to the aforementioned $100,000 limit) to charity in
satisfaction of their minimum required distribution.
Please consult your financial planner or tax advisor for more
information on how the charitable contribution from your IRA
can provide tax advantages for you.
Five Ways to Leave a Legacy
Prepare a will. Without one, you lose control of the assets you worked a lifetime to acquire.
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Leave a specific dollar amount or a precentage of your estate to Minds Eye. The provision can be part of a new will or added to your existing will as a codicil.
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Name Minds Eye as the beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan.
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Name Minds Eye as the beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy.
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Remember deceased loved ones with memorial gifts to Minds Eye.
Consult your attorney or financial advisor to ensure your estate plans fulfill your final wishes and to take full advantage of tax saving opportunities.
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