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You may not be able to get your taxes down to Mitt Romney territory.

But — thanks to the Westport Human Services Department — seniors and low-to-moderate income households may lower their tax burden down to a reasonable number.

At the very least, they won’t have the stress of doing their taxes all by themselves.

While Mitt Romney has a host of accountants and attorneys helping him, Westporters can take advantage of the annual no-cost, full-service AARP/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance program.

Tax preparation and electronic filing of state and federal taxes are offered at 2 locations, beginning next Wednesday (February 1). The program ends April 16.

Wednesday appointments are available at the Senior Center (9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.); call 203-341-5099.  Monday appointments are available at Town Hall (2:30 to 6:30 p.m.); call 203-341-1050.

Last year, thanks to the Human Services/AARP partnership, almost 300 returns were prepared and filed (almost all electronically). Over $200,000 in refunds we returned to local residents.

More information may be obtained by calling the Westport Human Services Department at 203-341-1050.

Life here in Westport can be hard.

Every day we dodge ridiculous drivers.

Every time the wind blows, we lose power.

Every month, our favorite restaurant closes.

None of that compares, though, to one geographic fact: We’re part of the New York metropolitan area, but also New Englanders.

So, for the next 2 weeks, we’ll be asked repeatedly where we stand:  Giants or Pats?

Some things are just too tough to comprehend.

Seventeen years ago, Janice Macauda was looking for something to do.

She began working as a shelver at the Westport Public Library.

Earlier this month she was honored for her long service. And — oh yeah — for reaching her 90th birthday.

Janice downplayed the twin honors.

“I haven’t discovered anything,” she said this morning. “I’ve just been fortunate to work there. You couldn’t ask for nicer people — the staff, the patrons, everyone who comes in for the different events. I’ve been very, very blessed.”

With 6 children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Janice has a full life.

“I’m very lucky,” she says.

For her dedication, cheerful nature and great helpfulness, so is the Library. And all who work, and go there.

When Bedford Middle School was built, and the adjacent Wakeman athletic complex was developed, Westport’s Community Gardens seemed to be shoveled aside.

But the Community Gardens found a home: appropriately enough, the former Jaeger farm adjacent to Long Lots School.

Paige and Allison Schwartz work in their parents' plot last summer.

It’s bigger and better than ever. Last year, it doubled in size. And though it’s only mid-January, organizers are already looking ahead. They’re now allotting spaces for the 2012 growing season.  Gardeners of all ages are invited to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers and other plants.

The Community Gardens actually grow a community, too. “Members share gardening tips, plants and seedlings with fellow gardeners,” says chairman Lou Weinberg. “There is a wealth of knowledge among the members, many of whom have master gardener training. This is a wonderful community to be a part of.”

Gardeners may apply for a 10-by-20-foot or 10-by-40-foot plot. Sunny plots and shady spots are available. No pesticides or herbicides are permitted. Applications are available at http://westportgardens.org.

The Westport Public Library has a place for everything.

Even 1970s-era disco.

Nile Rodgers

On Monday, January 30 (7:30 p.m.), legendary musician/producer/songwriter/composer Nile Rodgers talk about his new memoirs, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco & Destiny.

If “Le Freak” rings a bell, it’s because that was the name of Rodgers’ 1st hit song. It came with Chic, the band that later recorded “We Are Family” and “Let’s Dance.” Rodgers went on to produce hits for Madonna, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Duran Duran and more.

Rodgers has a compelling back story. He was born to a 13-year-old junkie, and grew up in a dysfunctional family held together by “drugs, crime, and love.” He fought severe asthma as a child, while living with heroin-addicted parents who frequently nodded off in the living room with their friends.

Books will be available for purchase and signing, with profits benefitting the library. But if you bring an old Chic LP, Rodgers will probably sign that too.

Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are getting all the attention. Those states’ caucus and primary voters may have an outsized role in determining this year’s Republican presidential nominee.

By April 24 — the day of Connecticut’s GOP primary — the contest may already have been decided.

Or not.

Our state is probably prime Mitt Romney territory. He’s the governor of a neighboring state; a businessman, and not overly concerned with social issues like abortion and gun marriage.

But presidential campaigns have a way of upending traditional wisdom. So, if you’re looking ahead to voting in April, here are a few dates to remember:

▪ January 24: Deadline for current members of a party to change to Republican.

▪ April 19: Deadline to change from “unaffiliated” to Republican; also, the deadline for new voters to mail in their Republican registration.

▪ April 23 (noon): Deadline for registering or enrolling in-person in the registrar’s office to vote in the primary.

Registered voters who wish to change affiliation can pick up the proper form at the Registrar of Voters Office, Room 107 at Town Hall. They can also be printed from the voter registration section on the town’s website.

For more information, call 203-341-1115.

The Westport Farmers’ Market is all about local: supporting local farmers, local customers, local events.

Market director Lori Cochran-Dougall never misses a chance to bang the local drum. And she can find a local angle in just about anything.

In this week’s email to loyal customers, she connects the passing of a beloved Eastonite (and Staples Class of 1948 grad) Will Tressler, with the importance of giving back to one’s community — as local as local gets.

Lori writes:

Lately, the word local is the new hot term. Everywhere you look you see “support local,” “shop local,” “eat local,” and even the word “local” is included in WFM’s super cool t-shirts.

This past week, Fairfield County lost a man that encompassed the true meaning of supporting local. Will Tressler passed away in Easton on January 2. He was a man that did not believe in standing idly by — he believed in action. Will was the definition of a community minded soul and he believed in fighting for his neighbors, farmers and community.

His daughter told a story at his (standing room only) funeral about how organized her father was. While working on his memoirs, his daughter was looking through a three foot file titled “Concerns.” In these files, she quickly noticed that Will had done something about every “concern” he had in there. Whether it was helping a small farmer from losing their land, establishing the agriculture commission in Easton or speaking to Congressmen about the importance of conservation; he was a tireless local advocate. She encouraged everyone with a cause not to wait to do something, just go and do it.

Once he would find a cause, he would do what he could to help. He never proclaimed he could fix it but just that he would try his hardest and do his best.

For me, Will’s death made me aware that one person can truly make a difference! We will miss Will and thank him for all that he did!

Let’s be doers and make a difference.

(To learn more about Will, click here.)