Free income tax preparation
The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free personal tax preparation assistance to taxpayers of low to middle income, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Volunteer tax counselors will be available by appointment Tuesday afternoons and all day Wednesdays between Feb. 4 and April 9. Those seeking help with their taxes should call Irma at (831) 630-0642. Appointments are at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St. Participants should bring all tax documents they receive in the mail, valid photo I.D. for primary and secondary taxpayers, Social Security cards or ITINs for every person on the return, a copy of last year’s tax return and all relevant information on income and expenses. Volunteer counselors are not trained to assist in preparing tax returns that report business, rental or partnership income.
Limelight dinner theater show
Over the last two weekends in March, join the teens of Limelight for the Knotting Family Reunion at the Wilcox Western Bed and Breakfast for the show “A Family Reunion to Die For.” Newlywed Christine Franklin is eager to show off her husband Freddie to the family she hasn’t seen in years. The joyful reunion quickly turns sour though when guests are murdered. They are dropping like flies, and Christine seems to be next in line to become a victim! To make matters worse, a terrible storm has trapped them all inside! It’s up to Freddie to catch the murderer and save his blushing bride. After all, he is a detective – well, a mall security guard turned wannabe detective, anyway. So come join us for dinner and this hysterically funny interactive murder mystery! See you there! Tickets available at www.limelighttheatrical.com, Paine’s Restaurant, or any cast member. The price is $25. Details: limelighttheatrical.com or Email Sally Hail at [email protected]
Winners of assemblyman’s contest
State Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, announced the winners of his “There Ought to Be a Law” contest, where constituents throughout the district were invited to present their ideas for new legislation, according to an announcement from Cannella. Based on the contest submissions of Natalie Rios and Wendi Salpa, high school students from Madera who wanted to create safer routes for schoolchildren to their schools, Cannella introduced Senate Bill 1151 (SB 1151). Sponsored by the Alliance for Community Research and Development and the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP), SB 1151 promotes safer driving in school zones by enforcing an additional fine equal to the base fine of violations cited in school zones. “I am very pleased to announce Natalie and Wendi as winners of my ‘There Ought to Be a Law’ contest,” said Cannella. “Both Natalie and Wendi made very valid points in their submissions about reducing the risk of accidents in high-traffic areas around campuses by implementing stricter laws. SB 1151 adds additional fines to school zone violations, deterring drivers from going over the school zone speed limit and ultimately, preventing more pedestrian injuries and deaths,” Cannella said in the statement. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, California had the nation’s highest fatality rate among child pedestrians aged 4 to 7 years old and the second highest rate among child pedestrians aged 14 years and younger. Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration cites that child pedestrians who are hit by a car traveling at 40 miles per hour have a 10% chance of survival, as opposed to an 85% survival rate when hit by a car moving at 20 miles per hour.
Help monitor the condors
Residents can help monitor condors at Pinnacles National Park and become a “Condor Monitoring Assistant.” Orientation is March 15. Pinnacles is looking for long-term volunteers that can commit to a minimum of two survey days per month on weekends. The primary duties of the volunteer will be observing and recording condor behavior as well as communicating with park visitors. A nine-month commitment is required. Volunteers will need to be able to hike up to five miles on steep and rugged terrain carrying 40-plus pounds of equipment; have a tolerance for summer temperatures that exceed 100 degrees; and possess a sense of humor and a great deal of patience. For more information is available at the following website: http://www.volunteer.gov/results.cfm?ID=10463. Space is limited and RSVP is required by March 10. Please contact Alacia [email protected] or Veronica Johnson at 831-389-4486 x242.
Wildflower Day
The public is invited to Pacheco State Park on March 22 for its 11th Annual Wildflower Day from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. This promises to be a fun, inexpensive day for families, in the great outdoors. People from State Parks, the California Native Plant Society, Fish & Game, the Central Valley Bird Club and many others will be on hand to answer questions. There will be free Wildflower Day crafts for the kids as well, plus free hiking maps and flower pamphlets. A Birding Walk starts at 9:30 a.m. and a Wildflower Hike will depart at 10 a.m. (Tours are for a limited number of people. Sign-ups for these are first-come-first-served the day of the event, and each tour can only accommodate 20 people. Later tours may also be available.) Come visit any time that day to enjoy the flowers, information tables, and picnic area. The only fee for this event is the $10 state park day use fee per car. Facilities at Pacheco
State Park are limited: Bring your own water (as no drinking water is available), layered clothing, sunscreen or hat and sturdy footwear. It is possible that Pacheco State Park will be cool that day, so visitors may want to have long pants and jackets on hand, just in case. Visitors may also want food, binoculars, folding chairs, and cameras. For more information or to request aids or services, call (209) 826-1197.
