Since the beginning of time, the presence of light has been of utmost importance to mankind. [...] the quality, quantity, placement and cost of lighting are complex subjects that cover a broad range of engineering, architectural, interior design and psychology topics. In this short column, let me just announce that the next phase of high-quality and relatively low-cost lighting -- LED (light-emitting diode) lights -- has arrived. While the initial forays into this lighting technology were prohibitively expensive and of dubious light quality, there are now some LED bulbs and retro-fit fixtures that can make your home a shining jewel in the face of darkness without having to take out a second mortgage. With the multiple layers of aluminum oxide coating, it makes a lot of sense in a kitchen floor. The only real danger in kitchens is the rolling of refrigerator wheels back and forth in the same area for cleaning, because you can dent the floor. Since the financial crisis of 2008, and even after the recession "ended" in 2009, many lenders issued stricter documentation requirements before they would approve a loan. About 90 percent of new mortgages written today are backed by the FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Because these entities are now requiring banks to repurchase some of the loans they make, banks are gun shy and have increased minimum down payments, and changed the debt ratios they'll consider, making only the most conservative loans.

[...] on the sixth day God announces that this culmination of creation is doubly good. Goodness is replaced by suspicion, uncertainty, and sadness. The reminder of good and goodness is a remedy to the negative, self-defeating message that we receive externally and internally. The Scripture readings for the first Sunday after the Epiphany have two marvelous statements of good and goodness. The first is from the Book of Genesis, proclaiming the goodness of the creation and the gifts of light and life given to the whole cosmos. Jesus goes down into the water, and when he comes up (according to the story), a voice booms from heaven: "This is my son, my beloved." How different and hopeful our lives can be when we recognize that reminder, message and news about ourselves and about other human beings.

A science class at Greenwich Catholic School was conducting an experiment. Each student was given a cup of soil and a few seeds. [...] there was not much they could do except wait. Every few days, they would add a little water; just enough to keep the soil moist. Someone had played a trick on him and stolen his seeds. [...] the whole project was a lost cause. The teacher said, "You just can't rush Mother Nature." God's kingdom would come when God's friends helped Him defeat His enemies. If they would just keep the law to perfection, the Kingdom of God would appear. God works in the world like a seed grows in the ground. Or he could have dug out the seeds to see if they were sprouting, but that would have done far more harm than good. Parents might be wise to try that at home. There is a story about a mother and father worrying themselves sick over their college daughter. All their daughter needed was the freedom to make her own decisions. Raising children is a tricky business. Little Susie wants to pick out her own clothes, what she will wear to school that day. [...] in a moment of silence, he thought he heard God say, My friend, this church was here a hundred years before you were born. [...] maintain an attitude of expectant faith. Msgr. Frank C. Wissel is pastor at St. Mary Church in Greenwich and the founding director of the St. Maximilian Kolbe House of Studies for boys in Bridgeport.

Today, 33 years later, Mickey still is fulfilling his dream of outfitting people who love an "active" lifestyle in the little store he named Threads and Treads on the then "Gold Coast" of East Putnam Avenue. After graduating from Lehigh University, Mickey managed a sports shop in Danbury and realized that he loved the combination of retail and sports. Runners and bikers soon discovered that Mickey's knowledge about shoes and clothing could help aspiring athletes (young or old). [...] Matthew walked into Threads and Treads three days after graduating from college and announced, "Here I am." When Mickey and Matthew learned that other towns had running clubs, they helped sponsor one in Greenwich. The first race in 1979 was called the "Bagel Boogie," sponsored with a bagel shop that was on Putnam Avenue at the time.

Crystal ball shows some improvement in 2012 housing market The start of any year is typically marked by forecasts of what is ahead in the eyes of the writer. Based on national and regional trends, real estate sales of new and existing homes are in recovery mode and most analysts that I read, including Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, forecast a moderate growth in the economy and the housing market. Inventories are down, sales and prices have increased and there are again multiple offers for some houses. The good news is that the worry of another drop in the Florida market is pretty much over, and an investment now should be rewarded with asset growth. The return of first-time buyers and growth in the median prices in our local Greenwich market are also healthy signs. Over the last 24 columns, I've laid out my advice to sellers who want to increase the selling price for their property and get acceptable offers in a much shorter timeframe than they'd otherwise achieve. In any market, sellers have competition and good realtors know how to give their clients a leg up on the many other choices that buyers have in their price range. The three Cs of staging, Clutter, Clean and Color, are a good starting point for developing an action list of what needs to be done right away to remove buyer objections. If you checked into a hotel room and the previous guest's suitcase was emptied on the bed, or if the bathroom wasn't cleaned, or if the bedroom had dark purple walls, you'd be down at the front desk in 30 seconds demanding a different room because of one of the above Cs. HomeGain's national survey of real estate agents was very interesting.

Receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support income or deductions you're claiming on your return. Use the Interactive Tax Assistant available on the IRS website to find answers to your tax questions about credits, deductions, general filing questions and more. If you made more or are comfortable preparing your own tax return, there are Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms. If you owe taxes, you have payment options to file immediately and pay by the tax deadline. [...] the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that some people should file even if they aren't required to because they may get a refund if they had taxes withheld or they may qualify for refundable credits. To find out if you need to file, check the "Individuals" section of the IRS website at www.irs.gov or consult the instructions for Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ for specific details that may help you determine if you need to file a tax return with the IRS this year. Earned Income Tax Credit. EITC is a refundable tax credit; which means you could qualify for a tax refund. Certain individuals who are receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance, Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance, Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance or pension benefit payments from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation may be eligible for a 2011 Health Coverage Tax Credit. Eligible individuals can claim a significant portion of their payments made for qualified health insurance premiums. If you're among the taxpayers who still file a paper return, the IRS reminds you that it no longer mails paper tax packages, a step the agency took after continued growth in electronic filing, the availability of free options and as a way to reduce costs. If you're e-filing, the software will choose the best form for you, but if you're taking pencil to paper, make it as simple as possible by choosing the simplest tax form for your situation. Taxpayers can also get them from a local IRS office, a participating community outlet like many libraries and post offices, or from the IRS's automated forms line at 1-800-TAX-FORM. The Internal Revenue Service has free tax forms and publications on a wide variety of topics. Because of continued growth in electronic filing, the availability of free options to taxpayers and to reduce costs, the IRS discontinued the automatic mailing of paper tax packages last tax season. IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers There are 401 TACs across the country where IRS offers face-to-face assistance to taxpayers, and where taxpayers can pick up many IRS forms and publications. On the "Contact My Local Office" page, you can also select "Office Locator" and enter your zip code to find the IRS walk-in office nearest you, as well as a list of the services available at specific offices. Many large grocery stores, copy centers and office supply stores have forms you can photocopy or print from a CD.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style, in the air there's a feeling of Christmas. [...] this secular Christmas song was one of my favorites as a child (and one of the first I learned to play on the piano as a youngster). [...] I also learned and relish sacred Advent and Christmas music and, as I said, I do love this time of the year. The pace of the season, the expectations of perfection in everything from gift-giving to holiday celebrations, the messages we receive in our consumer culture -- all these elements are in play. [...] it is important to recognize both sides of the holiday season equation. Use the gatherings, the prayer, the family conversations, the music, the festive ambience around you to bring joy to your soul. [...] I also believe one of the most wonderful proclamations of my own Christian tradition, a statement of faith about the love of God coming to us in the totality of our lives and experiences.

Every incident, every experience that can be recalled is retold with detail and accuracy All the positive attributes, good deeds, strengths and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. [...] the community of Bambeba teaches us a very different lesson, one that seems to have a greater understanding of what it means to carry the shame of one's faults and errors, and the role a community can play in helping us to rediscover the goodness in ourselves. Even Abraham, who finds the sacred courage to argue with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah, is silent about the commandment from God to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac -- not even mentioning it to his wife, Isaac's mother, Sarah. In considering their tribal ceremony, we can imagine words of kindness and comfort, of wisdom and gratitude, which help to balance the picture for a person who has become consumed by his own sense of shame and wrongdoing. Or, would we find a way to recall the good in the life we have shared with a person, and use those memories to balance and heal a relationship that is essential to the life and community we share? [...] as we recently celebrated our American holiday of Thanksgiving, may we learn to be grateful for our lives, our strengths and goodness, and perhaps, also, for the weaknesses from which we learn the most.

Not in the sense that many dream about while at work staring at their computer screen, but rather for a leadership summit . . . and homecoming weekend. Graduates asked questions on several topics but the cost of a secondary education -- the speed at which tuition has increased versus the rate of inflation -- was an especially hot topic. The earnings in these plans are tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free if used to pay for qualified college education expenses, such as tuition, books, room and board. Contributions are not deductible and, as with all other gifts, there may be gift tax consequences if your contributions, plus any other gifts, to a particular beneficiary exceed $13,000 ($26,000 if married and spouse consents) during the year. Earnings are tax-deferred and exempt from tax when withdrawn by the beneficiary to pay for qualified educational expenses, including private elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges. If the proceeds are used to pay for college education (and the bonds were purchased after 1989), the interest earnings are federal income-tax-free. Please note that the parent's income must be below specific levels (currently $71,100 for single parents and $160,650 for those filing jointly). [...] it is difficult to predict whether you will be able to take advantage of the tax benefits in the future. Contributions to these accounts are not tax deductible and the earnings are not tax-deferred, but the earnings are taxed at the child's rate instead of the parent's. If college is right around the corner, I urge you to examine scholarships and other financial aid techniques, including loans.

In other years, attendees were permitted to take photos of the few professional models hired for camera, lighting and software demonstrations, but it was often difficult to get within shooting distance. The first I took was of a model in a flaming red dress with matching shoes and lipstick, who was posing playfully for the crowds with a sassy new matching red Nikon 1 camera, part of a gigantic promotion for this new cross-over camera. The most unusual shot I've included is probably the one of the Japanese Minime figures, stuffed toys that feature 3-D photos pasted onto molded faces, from which the nose visibly protrudes. Please go to www.delkin.com to see the waterproof 3oz. action cameras and "Fat Gecko" mounts that allow a creative person to mount a video camera almost anywhere, including on bikes, skateboards, helmets, surfboards -- you name it, and then record everything that they do. Along the same lines, targeted at adventurous photographers but with practical applications for many photographers, is a line of goods from AquaTech -- "Photography Equipment for Extreme Conditions" -- including sport shields, soft covers for various photographic accessories, sensory gloves that give superior grip but allow the thumb and index finger to be exposed for camera manipulation, and sound blimps that reduce camera noise by 97% for those times when the sound of the DSLR would be an impossible intrusion. The company advertises that no technical skills are required to build your site, that you can be up and running in minutes, that you will have unlimited uploads, and I was told that a lot of folks are getting "discovered" by posting their portfolios on this site. The designs I saw look attractive -- this is an opportunity that could be just the right thing to encourage young or emerging photographers to get their work on-line, and this would make a super gift for anybody who has been longing for a website.