POWERNOTESWe ar e the ut i li ty of cho ice for serv ice exce llence an d value. The Power o f Greate r Nashvi l le .

J a n u a r y 2003

Community Calendar . . . .

February 12 – The 22nd Annual Afro-American Culture and History

Conference, co-sponsored by the Metro Historical Commission and Tennessee StateUniversity, will be held at the TSU Avon N. Williams, Jr., Campus from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information or to pre-register, call 862-7970.

February – The American Stroke Association is recruiting people who havedreams of completing a full or half marathon. Participants in the TRAIN TO END STROKEprogram will receive individual training for four to five months with an experienced coachwhile raising valuable funds for stroke research and education. Participants will then participate in an expense paid marathon in Kona, Hawaii on June 22, 2003. Call GreggHamilton at 340-4109 for more information.

American Cancer Society Golf Pass is a sweetheart of a deal for Valentine’s

Day – The 2003 Golf Pass entitles golfers to play at some of the most beautiful locationsin Tennessee by offering free or discounted rounds at 139 courses for only a $35 donation to the American Cancer Society. For more information or to place an order, con-tact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.

February 27 – March 2 – 2003 Nashville Lawn & Garden Show at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. For additional information call 615-876-7680 or visit www.nashvillelawngardenshow.com.

January 2003 -The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training for The2003 Country Music Half Marathon, Memphis in May Triathlon, Rock N'Roll Marathon-SanDiego or America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride - Lake Tahoe. For informational meetingtimes in Nashville call 615-331-2980 or visit www.teamintraining.org.

January 31 - Chinese New Year's celebration. Dumpling Night to be held at 6:00 p.m. Ogburn House, Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1000 19th Avenue South. Call 615-320-4653 or write to program@scarrittbennett.org.

To contact NES, you can call NES Customer Service at 736-6900,

or use our web site at w w w . n e s p o w e r . c o m, an easy way to

obtain information or get your questions answered. Our mailing

address is: NES, 1214 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37246.

Existing Business Team Supports Growth of Local Economy

Ex i sting businesses are vital to the health of the Nashville-area economy and account forthe majority of new job gro wth in the region. NES is a member of the Ex i sting Business Te a m ,formed by the Nashville Chamber’s Pa rtnership 2010, to support the retention and expan-sion of existing businesses. The team proactively addresses issues of concern to local busi-nesses. Each year, team members visit 200 primary sector businesses and support theexpansion and retention of 50 businesses.

During and after company visits, the Ex i sting Business Team conducts surveys to learnm o re about the company, their indust ry, and their relationship to the community. This infor-mation will allow the team to help make policy, program, and re s o u rce allocation decisionshappen.

In addition to the Chamber and NES, team members include the Tennessee Va l l e yA u t h o r i t y, Mayor’s Office of Economic & Community Development, Tennessee Depart m e n tof Economic & Community Development, Nashville State Te c h n i cal Community College,Middle Tennessee Ca reer Center, and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Serv i ces.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2002 Holiday Lights Contest. This annual event was sponsored by Mayor Bill Purcell, Metro Parks,

NewsChannel 5, Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Metro Beautification &Environment Commission, Middle Tennessee Apartment Association,

and NES. The winners were:

Countywide and Region 2 Winner:

Mr. Jeff Cunningham244 Cumberland CircleNashville TN 37214

Region 1 Winner: Region 3 Winner:

Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Hopkins Mr. Jimmy Wilmore4016 Sussex Dr. 1154 Vultee Blvd.Nashville TN 37207 Nashville TN 37217

Region 4 Winner: Region 5 Winner:

Mr. C. D. Wright Mr. James Sadler504 Hill Rd. 505 Torrington Ct.Nashville TN 37220 Nashville TN 37205

2002 Holiday Lights Winners

Want a Tax Refund this Year?File for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit!

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit?The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable Federal income tax credit for low-incomeworking individuals and families. A refundable credit means that even if you don’t owe taxes,you can still get money back!!

Who is eligible?Single or married people, who worked full time or part time at some point during 2002, may beeligible depending on their family income:

• Workers with one child and a family income of less than $29,201, may be eligible to receiveup to $2,506.• Workers with more than one child and a family income of less than $33,178, may be eligible toreceive up to $4,140.• Workers between age 25 and 65, with no children and income of less than $11,060, may beeligible to receive up to $376.

Is it complicated to file for the EITC?No. And the help is free. Free tax assistance is available through Nashville’s VITA program. VITAstands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. This year, there will be several convenient locationswhere you can have your taxes done for free. Call 862-5000 for the location of the nearestVITA site.

Or, file your taxes on the Internet. This year, the IRS has partnered with various private industrycompanies that offer affordable, convenient, user-friendly e-file and electronic payment options.Depending on your income, you may be able to file electronically for free. And electronic filingmeans faster refunds. Go to www.irs.gov/efile/ and click on IRS e-file partners for individuals.

Don’t have a computer?Metro Public Libraries do. Free public computing and the most current tax forms are availableat all Metro Public Libraries. For the location nearest you, call 862-5800.

Cold Weather TipsJ a n u a ry and Fe b r u a ry are generally the coldest months in the Nashville area. Here are some tips tohelp your home stay cozy all winter long without breaking your pocketbook.• Keep drapes closed at night, and open them during the day

on the sunny side of the house.• When your fireplace is not being used, make sure the damper is

c l o s e d .• Keep the thermostat on your heating system set between 68 and 70

d e g rees; this is the most economical setting. One degree change couldmean an increase of five percent or more on your monthly heating bill.

• D ress more warmly by layering clothing, and do not sit next to a window. The cold air fro mthe window will cause you to feel colder than you really are .

• Check for cracks around doors and windows. Stuff towels or rags underneath doors andinto cracks until you can get them fixed properly with weather-stripping and thresholds.

• Make sure all your storm windows are closed.• If you have individual room heating, close off those rooms not being used. Be sure to place

something at the bottom of these doors to keep heat from escaping into these unheated ro o m s .

NES OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, JA NUARY 20, 2003 IN

OBSER VA NCE OF MA RT IN LU T HER KING, JR. DAY. OUR CUSTOMER

SER V ICE AND EMERGENCY SER V ICE DEPA RT MEN TS WILL BE STA FFED

A ND AVA ILA BLE TO ASSIST YOU .

With NEAT and Bu d get Bi ll i n g, you get pre-

d i ct a bi l i ty and peace of mind. The exact amount

of your electric bill is automatically debited from

your checking account. And it’s the same amount

for 11 consecutive months. On the 12th month,

your account is balanced to reflect actual usage.

Just call NES at 736-6900 for an end to surprises,

or visit our website at www.nespower.com.

GET NEAT AND BUDGET BILLING FROM NES.

SURPRISE BILLS ?Ti r ed o f

Never A g a i n !Never A g a i n !

The Power of Greater Nashville