sought for IMPACT awards

GlaxoSmithKline is seeking health-care nonprofits to apply for the company's annual GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards.

Up to 10 nonprofits are honored each year by the pharmaceutical and health-care organization for excellence in providing health-care access in their communities. Previous winners include organizations that provided care for the underserved, for cancer patients, and for children with genetic disorders.

Eligible health-care organizations must have a total annual operating expense budget of less than $2.5 million and have been a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization for at least five years. The application deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday. Winning organizations receive $40,000 each in unrestricted award funding. To apply, call 215-751-5171.

Another chance for farmers

to apply for tax credit

Bucks County farmers have their second chance this year to apply for a tax-credit program that rewards them for conservation practices that reduce erosion and sedimentation.

The Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP), an initiative administered by the state Conservation Commission, encourages farmers to use conservation best management practices. Farmers can receive up to $150,000 in tax credits per farm operation, depending on the practice implemented. Farmers also may qualify for a 50 percent tax credit to purchase no-till planting equipment. An earlier tax-credit program was offered to farmers in January.

Applications will be accepted starting Aug. 4. A $50 application fee is required for applications requesting up to $49,9999 in tax credits; the fee is $100 for applications requesting $50,000 to $150,000. For an application, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us/REAP or call 215-345-7577.

Andalusia artist, chamber

team up for painting project

The Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce has partnered with renowned artist Nelson Shanks, of Andalusia, for a summer painting project involving students at Studio Incamminati, an art school in Philadelphia founded by Shanks.

The students will spend the summer painting "open-air" scenes throughout the county. Rather that attending classes inside a studio, the art students will be outside painting landscapes throughout Bucks County. The first project was painting scenes from the grounds of the Barley Sheaf Farm Estate & Spa.

The program will culminate with "Nelson Shanks - A Private Exhibition" on Nov. 20 at the Doylestown Country Club. Artwork by Shanks and the students in the open-air program will be will be exhibited and for sale at auction during the event. The proceeds will benefit the school and the chamber's Bucks Fever Program - A Celebration of Arts and Culture, which offers a series of arts and music events in the county from March to October.

For information, call the chamber at 215-348-3913 or visit www.centralbuckschamber.com.

New Hope wrapping up

holiday weekend activities

New Hope closes out its Independence Day weekend celebration with events today at the New Hope Visitor Center.

Live music, along with face painting and sand art activities for children, will be offered. Also, the winner of the Big Cash Give-Away, a raffle to raise money to support New Hope's businesses, will be announced. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Events will be noon to 5 p.m.

The visitor center is at 1 W. Mechanic St. For information, call 215-862-9990 or visit www.newhopechamber.com.

Newtown man on board

of National Barn Alliance

Jeffrey L. Marshall of Newtown has been elected to the board of directors of the National Barn Alliance.

Marshall is vice president of resource protection at Heritage Conservancy in Doylestown. The alliance is a network of educators, preservationists and concerned citizens interested in barn preservation. The conservancy promotes open-space and historic preservation and natural-resource protection. Marshall, who also serves on the board of the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of America, is coauthor of Barns of Bucks County.

Scottish Communion Sunday

set at Doylestown church

Doylestown Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 37th Annual Scottish Communion Sunday on July 13 at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services.

Special music will be provided by the Chancel Choir, bagpiper Charlie Rutan and drummer Doug Agnew. Refreshments after the services will include homemade Scottish shortbread. Attendees are encouraged to wear family tartans and Scottish attire.

The church is at 127 E. Court St. For information, call 215-348-3531.

County women win posts

with accountants' group

Two Bucks County women have been elected to leadership posts with the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), a professional association of more than 19,000 CPAs.

Sandra E. Sloyer, an associate vice president of finance at Aramark Sports & Entertainment in Philadelphia, was elected treasurer of the institute. Sloyer, of Perkasie, serves on the audit committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and has served on the governing council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Colleen Williams, a partner with McGladrey & Pullen L.L.P. in Blue Bell, was elected to a two-year term on the organization's council. Williams, of Langhorne, has volunteered for PICPA and has served as chair of the East Chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association and as president of the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the Community Associations Institute.

Both women were elected on June 28 at PICPA's annual meeting in Palm Beach.

- Kristin E. Holmes