Community briefs: Walnut Creek and Lamorinda Jan. 26 and beyond

Jan. 22--Email community briefs items to Lisa Herendeen at [email protected].

Sons in Retirement meeting scheduled

Area Sons in Retirement, for retired or semiretired men, will be holding meetings, including:

Branch 146: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 8, The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. Guest speaker is Heather Ballenger, Walnut Creek Director of Public Works. Topic: The Dynamic State of Walnut Creek Public Works and Challenges for 2018..

The cost is $26. Call 925-825-5772 for reservations at least six days prior to luncheon. For additional information, visit www.sir146.com.

Volunteers needed for Mt. Diablo Silverado Scout Council

The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America, needs volunteers to help update and maintain the council website.

The council would like to form a council level website committee of four-to-six interested volunteers, but they are looking in particular for a council webmaster. WordPress experience is favorable, but not necessarily required. The committee will start in the spring.

Goals are intended to be completed before the fall recruiting season.

* Develop a new template/look for the site

* Optimize the council website for ease of use (especially mobile use)

* Ensure appropriate content is uploaded and maintained on a timely fashion

* Develop a protocol for updates and maintenance to the site

For those interested, send an email to [email protected] describing qualifications.

Application extended for Poet Laureate program

The Lamorinda Arts Council has extended the application period for its first Poet Laureate program until 5 p.m. Jan. 31. The individual will serve both Lafayette and Orinda interested may apply at https://lamorindaarts.org/poet-laureate-application/.

The Poet Laureate will write theme-based poetry and read poetry at civic and other events such as public ceremonies and dedications. They will also support the Lamorinda Arts Council Poet Laureate program activities in the schools and community, and serve as a liaison with literary organizations. Goals of the program include:

* Encourage poetry and the literary arts in the communities

* Stimulate and inspire residents of all ages in their writing

* Present poetry in nontraditional venues to expand its reach

The selection committee will review potential candidates and recommend a Poet Laureate to the Lafayette and Orinda city councils to be appointed in early 2018. The Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term and receive a yearly $3,000 stipend. Professional poets who live and/or work in Lafayette or Orinda are eligible.

Aging in place workshop for seniors

The face of contemporary American society is changing, with people living longer than ever before. Most people want to stay living in their own homes for as long as possible. But doing so with dignity, independence and choice in the face of increasing health issues and daily needs can be challenging.

This workshop provides an overview of the various issues to consider, and how to identify options available. Topic presenters will be from Hillendale Home Care, Hospice East Bay and Senior Visionary Services, followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.

An overview of the various decision making issues that will be covered:

* How home safety assessment can help you or your loved one avoid accidents at home

* How to identify the need for home care, assisted living or hospice

* The differences between palliative care and hospice care; and Medicare and "Medical Certified"

* How grief support and crisis intervention can help you avoid burnout

* What housing options are available if it's time to relocate or downsize

* How to identify the right community to fit the needs of the individual; along with a review of available resources in the Diablo Valley.

Each person attending will receive resource information.

This workshop is being held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 29, at Congregation B'nai Shalom at 74 Eckley Lane, in Walnut Creek. The workshop is free. For reservations, go to https://walnutcreek.helpfulvillage.com/events/170 or at 925-956-1990, leaving your name, phone and email contact.

Signups underway for Covered California

Through Jan. 31, Californians can either sign up for or renew their health insurance for 2018 on Covered California's website at https://www.coveredca.com.

"My offices are here to help. If anyone in Contra Costa County has questions about enrollment or their health coverage, please call my office and we will connect you with resources to help you," said Rep. Mark DeSaulnier in a news release.

DeSaulnier's office is at 3100 Oak Road, Suite 110, in Walnut Creek. For information, call 925-933-2260.

Sandbag stations open for residents

Sandbag stations are open in Walnut Creek for residents, free of charge, though they must bring their own shovels.

Sand and sandbags are available at the following locations:

Lancaster Road across from Orchard Lane

Heather Farm Park Community Center parking lot (north end)

Larkey Park parking lot, 2771 Buena Vista Ave.

Howe Homestead Park parking lot, 2950 Walnut Blvd.

Rudgear Park parking lot.

To report flooding weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., call the Public Works Department at 925-943-5854. After hours, call police dispatch at 925-935-6400.

In Lafayette, residents can fill their own bags at either of two locations, open 24/7, on Mt Diablo Boulevard at Village Center, and on Camino Diablo at Loveland Drive.

For more information, call Public Works at 925-934-3908.

In Orinda, sand and sandbags, which residents fill themselves, are available at the following Moraga-Orinda Fire District locations, according to the city website:

Station 4320 on Via Las Cruces (nearest cross street Charles Hill Road)

Station 44295 on Orchard Road (nearest cross street Moraga Way).

Moraga does not supply sandbags to residents, except during a rare extreme circumstance when it is determined that an area is in an immediate state of emergency, according to the city website.

AARP Free Tax Preparation for 2018 tax season

Free tax preparation for the 2018 tax season is available starting February from AARP's Tax-Aide and United Way's Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. Service is provided by volunteer tax preparers who are IRS trained and certified. Both programs serve taxpayers of any age, and AARP membership is not required for Tax-Aide. EKS service is limited to those with incomes below $54,000, while Tax-Aide does not have an income limit.

For Tax-Aide site information or appointments in Walnut Creek call: 925-943-5851 for the Walnut Creek Senior Center site; 925-405-6278 for the Walnut Creek Grace Presbyterian Church site; or 925-979-5013 for the Walnut Creek St. Paul's Episcopal Church site. For information on other Tax-Aide sites, call: 925-726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1- 1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

To complete your tax return, Tax-Aide will need you to bring the following documents:

* Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return

* Photo identification for the taxpayer and spouse

* Copies of all W-2s, 1098s and 1099s

* Other income and deductions

* Your 2016 Tax Return

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