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Community Events Calendar

For the Week of February 26—March 3, 2012

If you provide a public service, or have a special community- or business-related event that you'd like to post on AM 1000 KCEO and/or AM 1450 KFSD and their associated websites, please e-mail Gordon Brown, Public Service Director, with your announcement attached. Please allow at least three weeks before the event date for timely posting. Thanks!  ~ G.B.

San Diego County

North County Senior Dance bids farewell to February with some fine dance action, starting Sunday the 26th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the El Corazon Senior Center in Oceanside, where you can swing to the sounds of The Vidals. On Tuesday the 28th, catch the stylings of The Harmonaires, at the Escondido Center from 1:30 to 3:30. And on Thursday, March 1st, The Vidals return for another engagement at the Carlsbad Center from 1:30 to 3:30. These great events are open to dancers of all ages, and admission is still just three to five dollars. Find out more by calling North County Senior Dance at 760-720-2011. (For detailed scheduling information, senior center addresses, etc., click here to view the schedule in PDF format. If you use an older web browser, you might need to have Adobe Reader® or similar PDF software installed. Download Adobe Reader® here; or upgrade to a newer browser if possible.)

This week the Rancho Coastal Humane Society's Pet of the Week is Kitty Purry, a three-month-old, spayed-female, domestic short-haired Calico cat. Kitty Purry is a beautiful, sweet kitten who was born with an imbalance issue that makes her look like she's nodding her head. She is also somewhat hearing-impaired. Kitty Purry seeks a special, understanding home where she'll be loved for who she is, and where she'll be nurtured for life—and she will return your love tenfold! For more information about Kitty Purry, or any of the delightful animals available for adoption into loving homes, call 760-753-6413, or visit online.

The Egoscue Foundation, an organization founded to improve the health and physical fitness of children, offers a great way to make a tax-deductible contribution and get a chance to win a 2012 Honda! Just click here, and make a donation of $20 or more; select Egoscue Foundation as your charity of choice, and guess the number of birdies that will take place during the Honda Classic PGA Golf Tournament. All proceeds from your donation will help the Foundation put Patch Obstacle Courses in schools nationwide this year, and your donation will be matched an additional ten percent! The last day to make your tax-deductible pledge is Wednesday, February 29th. For more information, visit this webpage.

Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute will host a free diabetes screening event for those living with diabetes and those at risk of diabetes, on Thursday, March 8th from 3 to 8 p.m. Free services will be available to all who attend, including blood glucose screenings, educational activities, advice on healthy eating and exercise, medical professionals to answer your questions, and other community resources. Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute is located at 9894 Genesee Avenue in La Jolla. For further information, please visit online.

The Colon Cancer Alliance presents its 3rd Annual San Diego Undy 5000 Family Fun Run & Walk, Saturday morning, March 10th in De Anza Cove of Mission Bay Park, 2750 North Mission Bay Drive in San Diego. The Undy 5000 is a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run aimed at motivating people to get screened for colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The Undy 5000 promotes discussion by encouraging people to run in their underwear! This is a family-friendly event, and running in underwear is not mandatory. Every registered participant will receive a pair of commemorative Undy 5000 boxers instead of the traditional raceday T-shirt. To register, or for a complete schedule including on-site registration, or simply to learn more about the Undy 5000, visit this webpage.

The San Diego River Park Foundation's Clean and Green Team seeks volunteers to remove trash and debris from beautiful El Monte Valley County Park near Lakeside, at 15805 El Monte Road. Clean-up takes place Saturday, March 10th from 9 a.m. to noon. All tools and supplies will be provided, but bring a hat and sunscreen, and wear your grubbies and sturdy, closed shoes; no sandals or open shoes, please. Community service hours will be verified for those who need them. For directions to the meeting site and other information, call 619-297-7380, or e-mail volunteer@sandiegoriver.org.

Arts Off Broadway (AOB) proudly presents the West Coast premiere of Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, from March 10th through the 18th at the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and three Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Orchestration, Next to Normal has been described by the Pulitzer Board as "...a powerful musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals." The Washington Post calls it "a moving, blisteringly honest, and inordinately powerful new musical...stocked with beautiful songs that get to the heart of the story—and simply get to the heart." The cast includes director Leigh Scarritt, Paul Kruse of New York stage and television, David McBean, a top performer in the Los Angeles and San Diego theater scene, and Tiffany Jane, the 2012 Los Angeles Indie Artist in Music Award-winner as Best Blues Artist. Tickets are now available by calling 619-544-1000. For more information about Arts Off Broadway, visit this webpage.

The 85th Annual Thursday Club Rummage Sale, San Diego's largest rummage sale of its kind, will take place Saturday, March 10th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday the 11th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Balboa Park Activity Center, located at 2145 Park Blvd. on the east side of Balboa Park. New and gently-used merchandise, including antiques, furniture, sporting equipment, holiday décor, kitchen appliances, toys, computer ware, books, and clothing will be sold to raise money for 21 local charities, including the San Diego Museum of Man. The Thursday Club, a group of volunteers dedicated to educational, cultural and civic community involvement and leadership for more than 90 years in San Diego, has returned well over $1.5 million to the community through club activities. Each year members of the non-profit organization assess community needs to reach as many groups as possible. More than $100,000 was returned to the community through last year's rummage sale, and this year the goal is to raise more than $110,000 to help in these economically challenging times. For more information, call 619-224-5264, or e-mail thursdayclubrummagesale@yahoo.com.

The San Diego Museum of Man will host its First Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, April 9, 2012 at Morgan Run Golf Club, with proceeds from the event to benefit the museum. Golfers of all skill levels are invited to compete in a four-person scramble format. All team members are eligible for other prizes, gifts, and events, as well as an event gift bag and SDMoM golf Shirt. The festivities will begin with registration at 10 a.m., and tee-off at 11a.m. Guests will have a chance to mix and mingle afterward, with dinner provided by Morgan Run Catering. Special items will also be auctioned and raffled off, with all proceeds going to the museum. Cost is $150 per person, which includes entry into all events, 18 holes of golf, riding cart, dinner, and awards for the various contests. To register, visit online.

Scripps Cancer Center presents its 21st Annual Spinoff: Auction for Life, on Thursday, May 31st at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla Aventine. Spinoff is San Diego's premier live and silent auction event. Proceeds will benefit patient support services, early detection, education and outreach at Scripps Cancer Center, Stevens Division. This year, a portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Scripps Polster Breast Care Center. In keeping with this year's theme, Champagne et Chocolat, guests can sip champagne, and enjoy chocolate, while bidding on luxury items, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and lavish getaways. The cocktail reception and silent auction begin at 5 p.m., followed by the live auction, dinner, and presentation. This year's honoree will be the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, which has consistently supported Scripps Health since 1947. The 21st Annual Spinoff commemorates more than two decades of supporting lifesaving care at Scripps Cancer Center, Stevens Division. Treating patients with more than 50 types of cancer, Scripps Cancer Center, Stevens Division is one of the leading oncology centers in the region and relies on Spinoff and other philanthropic support to fund its lifesaving programs and services. For tickets and further information, please visit this webpage, or call Lindsay Petersen at 858-678-6349.

The San Diego Museum of Man presents its latest exhibition, Adventures in Photography: A Century of Images in Archaeology and Anthropology, now through January 13th, 2013. This exhibition was organized by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Sixty-four vintage photographs were chosen from the University's extensive collection, spanning over one hundred years and six continents. The suite of amazing imagery features Hiram Bingham, credited with finding Peru's Machu Picchu; Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen; Harriet Boyd Hawes, the first woman to excavate on the island of Crete in the early 1900s; and much more. For additional information, call 619-239-2001, or visit this webpage.

Rancho Coastal Humane Society's Thrift Shop has a huge selection of clothing, appliances, books, and artwork. It's a great place to shop and also a great place to donate unwanted gifts, items that you've replaced, or things that you've just grown tired of. And 100 percent of the proceeds support Rancho Coastal's programs for people and animals. Your painting, printer, or prom dress—even that ugly new Christmas sweater you'd like to part with!—can help to find a family for a pet, or provide humane education for a child. Rancho Coast Humane Society's Thrift Shop is located at 120 Aberdeen Drive in Cardiff, just two miles from the shelter at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas. For more information, call 760-753-6413, or visit online.

San Diego Home Loan Counseling and Education Center is a 501(c) nonprofit, HUD Certified organization that provides free counseling services to persons who've fallen behind in their mortgage payments, and are possibly facing foreclosure. Established for over 34 years, San Diego Home Loan Counseling can help you free of charge, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spanish-speaking counselors are also available. The Center is located at 3180 University Avenue, Suite 300 in San Diego's North Park. For information and appointments, call toll-free, 1-877-734-5232, or visit online.

Did you know that at-risk youth have the greatest chance of getting into trouble between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m.? The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside provide North County youth with fun and safe environments during those critical hours. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside currently serve 1,400 youth every day and need your support to continue doing so. Learn more and support our Clubs by visiting online.

The FACE Foundation—the Foundation for Animal Care and Education—is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The first of its kind in San Diego County, FACE provides funding to families in need, whose pets require life-saving surgeries and procedures. FACE is entirely reliant upon donations to continue its mission of enhancing and preserving animals' lives. For more information, or to donate, please visit online, or call 858-450-FACE (858-450-3223).

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011, PCI is a San Diego-based health and humanitarian organi- zation, operating over 100 programs in 16 countries. It is dedicated to saving lives and building healthy communities around the globe, annually reaching over five million people in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Funded by federal grants and private support, PCI has over a $35 million budget and nearly 600 employees worldwide. For more information, and to donate, call 858-279-9690, or visit online.

The San Diego Environmental Leader Network celebrates its tenth year of operation with a name change. This regional environmental networking organization is now known as San Diego EcoNetwork. The network is run entirely by volunteers, utilizing a "self-posting" system of listing events on the web calendar. Over the past ten years, the network has steadily grown to incorporate a directory of regional nonprofit organizations, and a job-listing service. With the dawn of social networking, San Diego EcoNetwork has expanded to include a Facebook page, an e-mail notification list with over 400 current subscribers, and a Yahoo open discussion forum. Find out more by visiting online.

San Diego County has more threatened and endangered species than any other county in the contiguous United States. Many of these species exist in our riparian areas, such as our creeks and canyons. The mission of San Diego Canyonlands is to promote, protect and restore the natural habitats in San Diego County canyons and creeks, by fostering education and ongoing community involvement in stewardship and advocacy, and by collaborating with other organizations. Many of its success stories have come from grassroots activism conducted by canyon "Friends Groups" throughout San Diego County. Their website contains monthly events listed on the right side of the main page. For more information, call 619-358-9367, or visit online.

Enjoy walking or riding your bicycle? Are you 18 or older? Then why not volunteer for the Lakeside River Park Conservancy's River Park Patrol, and get more out of your outdoor activity? Walk or ride to different locations in the River Park, and chart activity such as graffiti, trespassing, and other signs of illegal activity. Call the Sheriff’s Department if needed. Park Patrollers also help educate users—and trespassers—about the park project, wildlife, and habitat, and assist River Park staff at special events to provide traffic control, parking, education and outreach. Park Patrollers always work in groups of two or more during daylight hours every day of the week. You pick your time and day and commit to making a weekly patrol, for a total of at least six hours a month. Ongoing training is provided. To volunteer, please e-mail Seth Connolly at sethriverpark@gmail.com, or call 619-443-4770. For more information about the Conservancy, as well as additional volunteer opportunities, please visit online.

Experience the wonders of wetlands through free guided docent-led tours at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. These walks provide insight into the history of the reserve, as well as the many plants and animals that reside within it. Participants gain an appreciation for the reserve's incredible diversity, and learn about the importance of preserving this endangered ecosystem. Free tours are offered every Saturday at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center (2710 Manchester Ave. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea) from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and every second Saturday monthly from the Rios Avenue trailhead in Solana Beach from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, visit this webpage, or call 760-436-3944, ext. 701.

CONNECT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life science businesses in San Diego. Since 1985, CONNECT has assisted in the formation and development of over 2,000 companies, and is widely regarded as the world's most successful regional program linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success. More than 25 countries and regions have adopted the CONNECT model, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Australia, and China. For more information, please call 858-964-1300—or visit online.

The Charter School of San Diego is currently enrolling new students in grades 7 through 12. This is a tuition-free public school with 20 convenient school sites located throughout San Diego County. If your children can benefit from a rigorous education that's personalized to meet their specific needs, call 858-678-2020, or visit online. Charter School of San Diego is there for you, and daring to make a difference.

Pit Bull Rescue San Diego is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing pit bulls in San Diego area shelters, as well as educating the public about responsible pet ownership, and advocating against the inhumane and unethical activities of dogfighting, backyard breeding, and housing discrimination by breed. Pit Bull Rescue San Diego also maintains a directory of apartments, condo complexes, and property-management companies that are pit bull-friendly. Find out more about this organization by calling 760-231-1909. or by visiting online.

Challenge Center is a non-profit organization devoted to transforming dramatically the quality of life of persons with severe mobility disorders through exceptional physical therapy, and specialized fitness and wellness programs, in an environment of hope and possibilities. Challenge Center is located at 5540 Lake Park Way in La Mesa. For more information about Challenge Center, or to donate, call 619-667-8644, or visit online.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, is a non-profit organization providing education, support services and advocacy to improve the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. NAMI offers two programs called Family To Family and Peer to Peer. Each is a set of courses designed to provide guidance for persons with mental illness or brain disorders, as well as their families. These courses are provided free of charge, and some courses are available in Spanish. Call the NAMI San Diego Helpline at 619-543-1434, or 800-523-5933 to enroll—or visit NAMI San Diego online and click "Services" for more information.

Mama's Kitchen brings daily sustenance and hope to more than 1,500 people in San Diego County who are living with AIDS, cancer, or other critical illnesses. Won't you make a contribution of $35 or more to help? A donation of just $50 provides three meals a day for six days. Mail your donation to Mama's Kitchen, 1875 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. For more information, call 619-233-6262, or visit online.

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency has launched a campaign to inform the public about a recent rise in three sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Many believe that these diseases have been wiped out through advances in medicine, but in fact, cases of syphilis have increased nearly 200 percent in the last five years. The County urges the public to get tested for all STDs, and to take proper precautions during sexual activity. For further information, visit online.

Do you like to meet and greet the public? Learn about California's Superior Court by staffing the information desks at various court locations. Volunteer training is provided. Call 619-450-7443, or consult the Volunteer Opportunities Section of the Court's web page.

Orange County and the Inland Empire

The California Small Business Development Corporation and the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invite you to find, manage, and grow your business capital! Access to Capital Business Expo takes place Saturday, March 10th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Double Tree by Hilton Ontario Airport, 222 North Vineyard Avenue in Ontario. Guest speaker will be J. Adalberto Quijada, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration. The event includes a networking breakfast, business workshops, a finance and resource expo, loan pavilion, and business luncheon. Registration is only $10. To register, visit this webpage; or call 951-781-2345; or fax to 951-781-2353; or e-mail jdreher@iesmallbusiness.com.

The Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band, directed by R. Jack Mercer, will present a concert entitled Latin Fiesta, on Monday, March 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful Gardner Spring Auditorium on the campus of Chaffey High School, 1245 North Euclid Avenue in Ontario. The concert is a celebration of our Spanish cultural influence through pictures, dance, and new Latin music. The repertoire is comprised of original works written expressly for this concert by Dr. Gabe Petrocelli, who will also conduct the performance. A variety of guest vocalists and dancers will perform with the band. Admission to this event is free of charge, and free-will donations are welcomed. For more information, call 909-467-0436, or visit online.

The National Lung Cancer Partnership presents the L.A. Free to Breathe® Lung Cancer Yogathon, Sunday, March 25th from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Women's Club of Hollywood, 1749 North La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. This is a fun, family-friendly event that brings the community together to inspire hope and create change for everyone impacted by lung cancer. The event includes a silent auction and awards ceremony; youngsters can participate in a children's yoga program or enjoy other activities at the Kids' Corner. All proceeds support the National Lung Cancer Partnership's vital research, education and awareness programs. Registration fees and deadlines are $25 online by March 21st; $28 mail-in by March 19th; and $30 on-site beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, or to register, donate, sponsor or volunteer, please visit this webpage.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is conducting a research study to test a new medicine that may help traumatic brain injury. Patients who get to the hospital quickly, with moderate to severe head injury, between the ages of 16 and 75 can be included. Our previous experience suggests that this medicine can reduce injury to the brain if given quickly. Because head injury is a life threatening condition requiring immediate treatment, some subjects will be enrolled without consent until a family member can be located. Every attempt will be made to locate family to review the study. Before the study starts, we will hold meetings with the community to review the study, get your feedback and answer questions. For more information or to decline participation in this study, please visit this webpage.

LifeStream—the official Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties—has issued an urgent plea to persons with B-negative and O-negative blood types to give the gift of life and donate blood as soon as possible. These blood types are urgently needed to treat surgery patients, trauma victims, and patients with life-threatening illnesses. Please schedule your life-saving donation today. Individuals must be at least at 15 years of age to donate blood. (Those 15 and 16 years of age must provide LifeStream with written parental consent. Parental consent forms are available at any donor center, mobile blood unit, or online.) All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors will also receive a free mini-physical as part of the donation process. Donating blood takes about an hour, yet gives someone a lifetime. For more information, call 1-800-879-4484, or visit LifeStream online.

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been providing exceptional mental health and substance abuse treatment services throughout Los Angeles County for over 60 years. Their programs serve over 57,000 children, families, adults and seniors at nine sites each year, from Pacoima to Venice to South Los Angeles to the Downtown area, and many points in between. Services include crisis intervention and stabilization, counseling, residential treatment, case management, youth-at-risk and family reinforcement programs, delinquency prevention programs, substance abuse treatment and prevention, and extensive community outreach. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services also operates the only free, accredited, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, suicide prevention crisis line from Orange County to Santa Barbara, at 1-877-7CRISIS. That's 1-877-727-4747. For more information, visit online.

West End Animal Shelter offers low-cost pet immunizations every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost of immunization ranges from $8 to $12 depending on vaccine; cash only, please. West End Animal Shelter is located at 1010 East Mission Blvd. in Ontario. For more information, call 909-947-3517, or visit online.

Wildhaven Ranch is a non-profit organization in the San Bernardino Mountains that is dedicated to providing a protective environment where sick, injured, and other disaffected wild animals can be nurtured, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild. For animals who cannot be adequately rehabilitated, Wildhaven provides a sanctuary where they can live safe, fulfilling lives. Learn about these and other aspects of the program, including a Learning Center for community members and children, by visiting online.

Forte is a non-profit foreign-exchange program which provides international high-school students the opportunity to study for one year in an American school. Forte is currently looking for people to work in its organization, and also seeks prospective host families in San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire. If your family is interested in hosting a foreign-exchange student, or you'd like to inquire about employment, call 1-202-833-4185; or visit online.

The Freeway Service Patrol for the San Bernardino Valley has hit the road—helping stranded motorists for free, every Monday through Friday—during peak commute hours. Watch for the roving team of tow trucks from Montclair to San Bernardino on the I-10 and from Ontario to Rancho Cucamonga on the I-15. This is a free service, including tows to a CHP-approved location. Call 909-884-8276 for more information.

Basically BOOKS is a non-profit bookstore run by the Friends of the Diamond Bar Library. They are open five days a week and need volunteers to staff the store. All proceeds from the store benefit the Diamond Bar Library. The store is located at the Country Hills Towne Centre on Cold Spring Lane. Call 909-594-9954 for details on how you can get involved and help out.

Other Announcements

The Internal Revenue Service and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are looking for volunteers to assist in preparing tax returns at various AARP-sponsored sites throughout Southern California. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. All AARP tax counselor volunteers receive comprehensive AARP Tax-Aide training in cooperation with the IRS. Individuals with good computer skills are especially needed to assist in transmitting returns electronically through the IRS E-file program. Last year volunteers completed over 36,000 returns at sites located throughout Southern California. Training begins in early January 2012, and AARP Tax-Aide sites will be open from February 2nd through April 17th. For more information on how to join the AARP Tax-Aide team, call 1-888-687-2277, or visit AARP’s Tax Aide website. For IRS information, including more on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, visit online.

As you read this page during the next 60 seconds, 156 people will be added to the world's population. Many will face a life of poverty, hunger, and poor health. At some point, Planet Earth may no longer be able to sustain our world's population. But overpopulation is not just a numbers game; it's also about a better quality of life that includes access to basic health care, food, clean water, and a sustainable balance between people and our natural resources. If you think overpopulation is such a big problem that you can't make a difference...think again. Population Connection is the national grass-roots organization that believes through education and information, individuals can make a difference. Take the time to invest in a better, safer, less crowded world. Even small choices can make an impact. To learn more, visit online.

Nearly 40 years ago, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) was created by Congress to help protect individual investors in the unlikely event of brokerage firm failure. Today, the SIPC is looking to investors just like you to help the SIPC modernize the way it does business. SIPC wants your input to make sure that it does even better in the next 40 years. Just visit online; find your topic, or create a new one. Do it soon, and help shape the future of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

Did you know that a family of four can make up to $66,000 a year and still be eligible for government health insurance for their children? It's true. Several million Californians are eligible for government health insurance, but have not signed up. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization charged with educating people on how to find no-cost or low-cost, government-funded health insurance. The Foundation offers an Uninsured Help Line with live counselors speaking multiple languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week—and they're standing by to assist you. Call the Help Line at 1-800-234-1317, and find out how health-care reform might give you access to health coverage today. For more information about the Foundation, visit online, or call 310-556-9612.

Business owners: Get the information you need to better manage your business! Keep on top of all the government rules and regulations that affect you. Business.gov is a one-stop shop for free business information from all levels of government—federal, state, and local. Whether starting out or branching out, Business.gov can help make sure you're getting it right. Visit Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. Government. A public service message from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The California Tax Education Council asks: Is your tax preparer legal? State law mandates that only attorneys, Enrolled Agents, CPAs, or CTEC Registered Tax Preparers can prepare your tax returns for a fee. Not sure which one your preparer is? You had better find out! Otherwise, you could pay the consequences. Protect yourself, and do your research; you have a right to ask your preparers for their credentials. For more information, call 877-850-CTEC, or visit online.

The National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA, is the federal agency that insures the vast majority of credit unions in the United States. NCUA insurance for credit unions is equivalent to FDIC coverage for banks, and federally insured credit union members are now protected up to at least $250,000. NCUA insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Not one penny of insured savings has ever been lost by a member of a federally insured credit union. For more information, go online to the NCUA Insurance Coverage Tool Kit to verify that your credit union is insured, and for details about your insurance coverage.

Right now, thousands of kids in California need something to believe in. The National Youth Advocate Program is looking for people to help them strengthen families, by becoming a foster parent. The NYAP has provided cost-effective, community-based services and support to children, youth and families since 1978. Discover the benefits and rewards of becoming a foster parent, and give youth something to believe in. Visit NYAP online, or call 1-877-NYAP-CAN today.

Each year, more than a million people successfully quit tobacco. Resolve to be one of the million in 2011. Or encourage a military family member or friend to quit. Get help at ucanquit2.org. A message from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Every year, thousands of people die and many more are hospitalized from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination. In these tough economic times, more families must choose between health care and other critical needs. Fortunately, there is a federal government program to provide vaccines for children at no cost or low cost to uninsured families and others who qualify. More information is available at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

The American Council on Education, the Lumina Foundation for Education, and the Ad Council have launched KnowHow2GO, a national campaign devoted to educating students in grades 8 through 10 about the steps they need to take to prepare for college. KnowHow2GO focuses primarily on students in low-income families, and those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. For more information, call 209-549-2441—or visit online.

California Conservation Corps crews from throughout the state were dispatched to this year's devastating wildfires. The CCC is looking for more young men and women to help out. It's a chance to do something for your state, and perhaps find a career. The Corps also offers a chance to work outdoors; protect the environment; and advance your education. If you're between 18 and 25, call the CCC at 1-800-952-JOBS; or visit online.

Every two seconds, another human being dies of hunger. Even here in America, 33 million Americans have a tenuous food supply, and many are going hungry. But you can help. Give to the Help End Hunger Now Foundation. One hundred percent of your donations provide nutrient-dense foods to hungry people. No administrative costs are deducted, and that means every dollar you give puts food in someone's stomach...and lends another chance at life. Call 877-410-GIVE; or visit online.

Is your family overextended with credit spending? Have you been rolling over your auto loans until you owe more than your new vehicle is worth? Are you caught in the squeeze of a non-fixed mortgage? If one or more of these conditions obtains, you may be on the brink of a major debt crisis. That's why the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is non-profit, independently accredited, and community-governed: so they have a real stake in helping you. To find an NFCC agency near you, call 800-388-2227, or go online.

We all feel pressure...but there's a pressure that's good...and that's the pressure in your tires. Check your tire pressure at least once a month. Keeping your tires properly inflated not only reduces the chance of blowouts; it also improves your gas mileage and lengthens tire life, saving you money. Check your tire pressure right away. The longer your tires stay on your car, the longer they stay out of landfills...and that keeps the pressure off all of us. A message from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Flat tire? Engine trouble? Battery died? Phone 5-1-1 first. By dialing 5-1-1 from your cell phone, you can now access tow services while remaining safely inside your vehicle. Simply dial 5-1-1 from your cell phone, and say "Roadside Assistance" when prompted. Each call is directed to the Call Box Answer Center, which will help you to receive roadside assistance. In non-emergencies in San Diego County, when roadside assistance is needed, phone 5-1-1 first from your cellphone. For more information, visit online.