PG&E grant will keep 211 going

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• Tax help offered to SLO County residents through California Central Coast Tax Coalition

  Tax help offered to SLO County residents through California Central Coast Tax Coalition

  The California Central Coast Tax Coalition is offering various forms of free assistance with income tax filing.

  Participating organizations include Cal Poly, the AARP and the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo. Services include tax preparation and representation in a tax controversy.

  In an example of such help discussed at an oncampus event Thursday, Cal Poly business accounting student Mariana Hernandez offered her expertise to a low-income, Spanish-speaking woman who lost two properties to foreclosure and faced $25,000 in tax payments.

• San Luis Obispo County execs share their hopes for the new year

  San Luis Obispo County execs share their hopes for the new year

  As we kick off 2012 today and make our own New Year’s resolutions, we asked 12 top local executives to share theirs.

  Most, like State Parks official Nick Franco, shared business goals to invest in staff, expand their business or maintain services in spite of the economy.

  Franco, for example, wants to find partners to keep Limekiln State Park and Morro Strand State Beach open, even though they are slated for closure this summer. Blake Irving, chief product officer of Yahoo!, wants to progress toward reaching $10 billion in annual revenue, 1 billion users and becoming a top-10 brand worldwide.

• Nonprofit Strategies: Tax clinic helps low-income families obtain valuable credits

  Nonprofit Strategies: Tax clinic helps low-income families obtain valuable credits

  One of the most powerful tools the federal government has to help lowincome families move toward financial stability, the low-income tax credit, is underutilized on the Central Coast. A family of five earning less than $24,000 per year may be eligible for a credit of approximately $5,000. This infusion of money helps millions of working families nationwide stay out of poverty.

  To guard against abuse, the IRS audits families receiving the low-income tax credit at twice the rate of other tax filers.

  Until now, these families on the Central Coast had to hire a CPA or enrolled agent or represent themselves during the audit process. Fear of being audited and a lack of understanding of the tax code have deterred lowincome families from claiming the credit.

• Local firefighters ask for donations for Operation Santa Claus

  Local firefighters ask for donations for Operation Santa Claus

  The Cal Fire/San Luis Obispo County Firefighters Benevolent Association is holding its 21st annual Operation Santa Claus 2011 toy drive.

  The annual toy drive provides toys to kids who are under the care and protection of San Luis Obispo County Child Protective Services.

  The toy drive begins Monday, Nov. 28, and continues through Dec. 22. Residents and local businesses are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys and gifts or money.

• Needs of seniors spur action

  Needs of seniors spur action

  Finding ways to provide affordable and safe housing for seniors, ensuring better access to healthcare and encouraging a greater sense of community were three of eight “urgent needs” identified during a recent symposium in San Luis Obispo.

  Other needs include more meaningful employment opportunities, access to transportation and more collaboration among business groups, nonprofits and public agencies.

  About 145 people attended the first-ever San Luis Obispo County Senior Symposium held in October to discuss challenges and opportunities in providing care to local seniors.