Rhinelander churches sponsor documentary film
What does segregation feel like? That question is the focus of a feature-length documentary be shown 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan, 26 at ArtStart. Invisible Lines is a feature-length documentary by 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. It features 10 Milwaukee residents of color who share their personal stories of segregation, racism and prejudice. There is no narrator and no script; just conversations between people. Each of the film’s chapters also integrates a performance by a Milwaukee artist, in spoken word, visual art, dance and music. The film is sponsored by St. Augustine Episcopal Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. artstartrhinelander.org.

IRS encourages direct deposit, e-file for tax returns
With tax season beginning soon, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that choosing e-file and direct deposit for tax refunds is the fastest way to get their money.
With direct deposit, taxpayers can also get their refund deposited into one, two or three different accounts, if desired.
According to the IRS, eight out of 10 taxpayers get their refunds by using direct deposit. The IRS uses the same electronic transfer system to deposit tax refunds that is used by other federal agencies to deposit nearly 98% of all Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits into millions of accounts.
Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that a refund check could be lost or stolen or returned to the IRS as undeliverable.
While a person can choose direct deposit whether they file their taxes on paper or electronically, a taxpayer who e-files will typically see their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers can track their refund using “Where’s My Refund?” on IRS.gov or by downloading the IRS2Go mobile app. Electronic filing vastly reduces tax return errors, as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information.

Women in STEM program offered
The Demmer Library in Three Lakes is hosting a series of programs based on females in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Families and especially girls ages 10-18 are invited to the first program Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. with a “Women in STEM” presentation by Architect Melody and a hands-on building experiment after. For families that are interested, pizza will be offered prior to the presentation. The library and a group of community volunteers will host speakers the second Tuesday of each month. A follow up program will take place the fourth Wednesday of the month that invites girls ages 10-18 to work on a STEM-based activity. 715-546-3391 or demmerlibrary.org.

Community foundation opens application period
The Rhinelander Community Foundation will be accepting applications next month from qualified organizations serving the Rhinelander area for its second annual competitive grant cycle. Applications may be submitted Feb. 1-29. Qualified organizations include charitable 501(c)(3) organizations, local units of state or national charitable organization, schools, governmental units and religious institutions providing programs benefitting the public at large. Grant applications will be evaluated on six factors, alignment with the mission, community impact, visibility, population served, need and financial management. Application forms and more information can be found at rhinelandercommunityfoundation.com.

Bowling tournament to benefit Wild Instincts
The Wildlife Bowl is being held at Hodag Lanes Jan. 26 to raise funds for Wild Instincts, a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center in Rhinelander. It is the only facility in Wisconsin licensed to treat all injured and orphaned wildlife allowed by law. Co-founder Mark Naniot said the center saw a 30% increase in patient admissions this rehab season, which put a drain on funds. The tournament is open to anyone. Bowling takes place 1-3 p.m., with a chance to mingle with Wild Instincts’ resident ambassadors noon-12:45 p.m. There will be cash prizes for top bowlers, raffles and door prizes. Visit wildinstinctsrehab.com for more information.