NORTH COAST, Calif. – United Way of the Wine Country and Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! partners announce that from January to April they helped more than 3,500 individuals and families file their taxes for free, bringing over $4.8 million in tax refunds back into the pockets of local taxpayers in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! is a United Way-led coalition of local nonprofits, public and private organizations that come together to provide free income tax assistance and financial education to low and moderate income individuals and families.

This service is available to any individual or family with household income under $52,000.

Taxpayers are often unaware of the important credits they are eligible for, leaving valuable dollars on the table.  

In fact, the IRS estimates that one in five taxpayers does not claim one of the biggest boosters to family incomes – the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable credit that can return up to $6,143 per qualifying family – simply because they are unaware or do not file their taxes.  

Of the $4.8 million returned to local taxpayers, more than $1.8 million stemmed from EITC refunds alone.

“Free quality tax preparation is the cornerstone of United Way of the Wine Country’s financial stability initiative, which helps families gain financial independence,” said Mike Kallhoff, United Way of the Wine Country president and chief executive officer. “For many families throughout our region living paycheck to paycheck, tax preparation done right can result in a significant boost to help individuals pay down debt, save for a home and build assets.”

This year, in Sonoma County, the EKS Coalition partnered with Sonoma Health Action, a coalition of private, public and community agencies committed to improving Sonoma County’s health and economic wellness through collaboration on policy, systems and environmental change.

Through this partnership with Health Action, many EKS tax preparation locations were able to offer additional economic empowerment benefits for low-income households, including health insurance and nutrition assistance, consumer friendly banking services, savings incentives, and community resource information and referrals.  

The coalition plans to expand these services to additional counties in the next tax season.

United Way of the Wine Country works to advance the common good along the North Coast of California in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte and Humboldt counties.

For more information, visit United Way of the Wine Country online at www.unitedwaywinecountry.org .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show event with Shed Horn Cellars and documentary photographer artist Nathan DeHart from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5.

The $12.50 ($10 per person for studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers will showcase Shed Horn 2012 Sauvignon Blanc with leek and goat cheese galette, new release 2012 Chardonnay with a tropical fruit kabob, new release 2012 Non Typical Red Blend with sausage, roasted garlic and tomato bruschetta on baguette and the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon with Cambozola cheese ball with walnuts and herbs.

The photography works included in this month-long display feature DeHart's latest work from Nepal - an intimate portrayal of Worldwide Healing Hands' medical mission, as well as other nongovernmental organization projects and personal work.

Profits made from sales of DeHart's NGO photographic works will be used to fund his upcoming trip to Sierra Leone, where he will partner again with Worldwide Healing Hands.

Located in Middletown, Shed Horn Cellars is the vision of longtime Lake County resident and award-winning winemaker Michael Wood.   

Wood selects grapes from the mountainous, wild, volcanic soils of Lake County's most esteemed high elevation vineyards for his wines and has grown from one three-barrel lot in 2004 to more than 2000 cases annual production.  

Each year, Wood consistently brings home gold award medals from the prestigious competitions entered for his wines.

Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County.

Artist's shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.  

Due to the July 4 Independence Day holiday occurring on the first Friday, the usual opening reception will be suspended this month.
 
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Fridays from 1 to 8 p.m.

The DeHart art show will be on display for the full month of July.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, June 28, attorney Dennis A. Fordham, State Bar Certified Specialist, will present a free educational seminar, “Why a Trust and Not a Will?"

The seminar will take place beginning at 10 a.m. at Fordham's office, located at 870 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

Refreshments will be served.

RSVP are appreciated at 707-263-3235.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Thursday, July 3.

The group meets at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Drive across from the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Social worker Jenny Johnson is the facilitator.

The group is sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.

For more information call Jenny Johnson at 707-350-3030 or Caroline Denny at 707-263-9481.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center will host a fun Western Band Potluck from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16.

The third Wednesday of every month marks this regular fundraiser and music event.

The High Notes band is featured and will get your toe tapping.

This potluck fundraiser has a $12 admission. Bring something wonderful to share.

This is a chance to hear one of Lake County’s most experienced talent. The High Notes are some of the best. Come hear their monthly performance and dance a bit.

All proceeds from the meal benefit the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, located at 3985 Country Club Drive, a not-for-profit that serves north shore senior populations with on site lunches, Meals on Wheels and advocacy.

For more information about services or the Western Band Potluck with the High Notes, call the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center at 707-274-8779.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – South Lake County Fire Protection District will hold a practice burn this Saturday, June 28.

Firefighters will train while burning an old house at the back of a vineyard on Grange Road near Middletown, according to Captain Tony Allegra.

Allegra said fire operations are expected to start around 8:30 a.m. and last until early afternoon.

The training is being done in conjunction with Cal Fire, Allegra said.