HALFWAY TO CONCORD » walnut creek

Lennon show benefits Food Bank

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:20:40 +0000

YOKO ONO presents, “SO THIS IS XMAS,” A Look into John’s Life through his Artwork – Celebrating John’s Message of Peace, Hope & Love.

FRIDAY – December 12th ~ 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM SATURDAY – December 13th ~ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM SUNDAY – December 14th ~ 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Downtown Walnut Creek 1601 Mt. Diablo Blvd (Corner of Mt. Diablo & Locust St.) $2.00 donation for the Food Bank suggested at the door. For Show Info Call: (888) ART-1969

Free childcare for shoppers

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:00:37 +0000

The congregation of Faith Christian Fellowship offers its Christmas gift to the community with its 2nd annual Operation Childcare. Stressed out shoppers can drop off the kids during the evening of Saturday December 13, and Friday December 19, from 6-9 p.m. at the FCF facility located at 860 Bancroft between Treat and Minert. Chidcare volunteers are ready to give you the night off with safe and supervised dinner, go-carts, games, movies, for kids (infants to age 12). Visit the web site or call 934-2099 to register before space fills up.

Non-profit workshops, Dec 3, 10

admin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:19:49 +0000

The CBO Center offers a seminar on the new Form 990, on December 3, at City National Bank, in Walnut Creek. Form 990 is a tax form that qualified, federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. It provides information on the filing organization’s mission, programs, and finances. Harmon Burstyn will explain how the new form also offers non-profits the opportunity to showcase information about its organization to potential donors, funders and supporters. $25 includes lite breakfast and program. REGISTER.

On December 10, CBO Center will sponsor a Board Governance Workshop from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Contra Costa Jewish Community Center in Walnut Creek. $85 includes lite dinner and seminar materials. REGISTER.

Schedule for 22nd Annual Hospice Tree of Lights

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:50:54 +0000

Hospice of the East Bay invites the public to participate in its 22nd annual Tree of Lights ceremonies to be held in 15 locations throughout Contra Costa in November and December. Each light on every tree is symbolic of a life and will shine in honor or memory of a friend or family member. Please join any of the commemorative ceremonies to enjoy music, poetry, talks by local dignitaries and the special moment when the tree lights up. Note that The Children’s Tree lighting will be held Sunday, December 14, at 5:00 p.m., at Oak Alley, behind Va de Vi Restaurant, located at 1151 Mt Diablo Blvd, in Walnut Creek,

A suggested donation of $20 per light can be made by sending a tax-deductible check to Hospice Foundation of the East Bay at 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill , CA 94523. Credit card donations may be made by calling Joy at the Foundation office (925) 887-5678. Please note which tree you choose to buy a light for, and the name of the person being remembered or honored. See the Locations and Times or check the nearby Calendar of Events.

Cornerstone Chapter of BNI to hold Visitors’ Day, Oct 24

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:12:37 +0000

BNI, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals among members, is holding a Visitors’ Day for its Cornerstone chapter on Friday October 24th, from 7am at the Fresh Choice Restaurant in Walnut Creek. Trey McAllister, executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area region of BNI will be speaking. Anyone interested in attending the meeting is welcome. Please call Cory Nott for reservations at 925-595-6095.

Estate planning tips: interest on estate tax is usually non-deductible

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:51:35 +0000

In a recent Chief Counsel Memorandum (CCM), the IRS indicated that in most cases it will not allow a deduction from income tax for interest that accrues during the period that an extension for paying estate tax is in effect because such interest is non-deductible personal interest. See CCM 200836027.

In the case, the estate lacked liquid assets to pay its estate tax. Under Internal Revenue Code section 6161, the estate was granted (due to economic hardship) an extension of time for paying the estate tax. During the period of extension, interest on the unpaid estate tax continued to accrue. On the estate’s income tax return, Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts, it claimed a deduction for the amount of interest due on the unpaid estate tax.

In the memorandum, which is binding only on the taxpayer whose case was under consideration but is very informative for the rest of us, the IRS made it clear that if an estate is large enough to owe estate tax, but does not have enough liquid assets to pay the tax, there will be no tax break on the interest the IRS will charge for paying the tax late. We see this scenario often in cases where the major assets of the estate are assets that either cannot be sold quickly for a good price, such as a business or a family home, or retirement assets, on which income tax is due upon liquidation. In estates like this we often encourage clients to add life insurance, and possibly an irrevocable life insurance trust, to their estate plans.

Kirsten Howe practices estate planning law in Walnut Creek. Send your estate planning questions to Kirsten by e-mail.

Ruth Bancroft Garden slideshow

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:02:28 +0000

We spent a Satruday morning at the Ruth Bancroft Gardens in Walnut Creek recently. You can cover the grounds in about an hour. There is a docented tour as well. Check it out and see one of the finest heritage gardens in Northern California. Click thru to see slide show.

Contra Costa Dems host presidential debate party, Sept 26

admin — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:26:55 +0000

Watch the first debate between Barack Obama and John McCain tonite, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., with pizza, beer, and lots of Democrats. Democratic clubs from Lamorida, Diablo Valley, San Ramon, and Iron Horse are sponsoring the event at the Democratic HQ located at 1501-A California Blvd in Walnut Creek, CA Cost: FREE…until Congress passes the bail out, then all bets are off!

Red Cross to recognize Hospice of the East Bay as a 2008 Community Service Hero, Oct 17

admin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:40:11 +0000

Hospice of the East Bay will be honored, alongside other local heroes, on Friday, October 17, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, at Scott’s Restaurant and Garden, in Walnut Creek . The event will recognize local individuals and organizations whose actions exemplify the true spirit of heroism through their courage, dedication and character. Local businesses, civic and community leaders and volunteers will come together to acknowledge these heroes and support the American Red Cross.

Tickets for the Contra Costa County Heroes Breakfast are available for $50 per person, and may be purchased online at www.redcrossbayarea.org/heroes, by calling (415) 427-8170 or at the event. All proceeds support the disaster preparedness and relief efforts of the American Red Cross in the Bay Area, including efforts in Contra Costa County .

Cooking Made Easy: Free Seminar, Oct 17

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:06:10 +0000

A free cooking seminar will take place, Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Faith Christian Fellowship, located at 860 Bancroft (between Treat and Minert).

Brush up on how to make meal planning easier. Six simple main dishes will be presented including a Festive Christmas Eve Fondue. Light lunch provided. Free Samples and Door Prizes. Childcare provided. Download the flier for your neighbor, office, or church! Register by e-mail to Joan Mentink or complete an online form.