Sierra Club Speaker Series next talk is February 14

Paddling on the Big Rivers

February 14, 2023, from 6:30 to 8 PM, Craig Heaton, river paddling expert, and Sierra Club Outings Leader, will talk and illustrate the joy of paddling on big rivers such as the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois. We live in river towns with the confluence of these 3 large incredible rivers not far away. Paddlers can experience the beauty of these great bodies of water up close and see the amazing wildlife there. He will review some of the amazing technology available for paddlers such as GPS, marine radios, emergency beacons, and useful apps on your smartphone. With the right equipment, technology, and knowledge, more of us can get on a river and make it a paddling experience that everyone can enjoy.

To register to attend this event (in-person or via Zoom), go to Events calendar on our website: https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades

If you have questions, please contact Chris Krusa at 410-490-5024.

Attendees and friends are invited to have dinner and meet the speaker at the Old Bakery Beer Company at 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, IL 62002 at 5 PM. Folks are welcome to attend via ZOOM, starting at 6:30 if unable to join us in-person

United Way and partners providing free tax preparation for local residents  

United Way of Greater St. Louis is partnering with local tax coalitions to provide free tax preparation services to St. Louis-area families with a household income of $60,000 or less in 2022. 

Almost all tax site locations require appointments this year that can be scheduled online or by phone, though there are still a few walk-in locations available. Local residents can dial 211 or visit 211helps.org to find their nearest tax preparation site, learn how to make an appointment, or get more information.  

“As our communities face uncertain economic times, we are proud to be able to continue to offer free tax preparation assistance to our neighbors and local families,” said Debbie Irwin, community economic development director, United Way of Greater St. Louis. “These services give people an alternative to paying for costly tax preparation fees. Trained volunteers work to make sure families receive all the tax credits they qualify for, which will help families boost their income and put more dollars towards their basic needs or other beneficial investments like furthering their education or paying down debt.” 

Tax sites in the Madison County area:

• Lewis and Clark Community College –Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 pm-8:30 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am-1:00 pm, starting February 2 through April 14; appointments required and can be made by calling (314) 292-9579.
• Edwardsville Public Library – Saturdays from 9:00 am-1:00 pm and Wednesdays 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, starting February 18 through March 18; appointments required and can be made by calling (618) 692-7556.

• Six Mile Regional Library – Thursdays 5:00 pm- 7:00pm and Fridays 9:30 am-11:30 am, starting February 2 through April 8; appointments required and can be made by calling (618) 452-6238 ext. 731.
• GCS Credit Union – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am-2:00 pm, starting February 7 through April 6; available for GSC Union members only; appointments required and can be made by calling (618) 797-3634.
• Madison IL Fire Department – Wednesdays 3:00 pm-7:00 pm, starting February 1 through April 5; appointments required and can be made by calling (618) 363-1721.

Tax sites in the St. Clair County area:

• New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church – Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, starting January 28 through April 15; walk-in available.
• New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church – Tuesdays 3:00 pm-7:00 pm, starting February 7 through April 11; appointments required and can be made by calling (314) 292-9560.
• Macedonia Baptist Church – Thursdays 3:30 pm-6:30 pm, starting January 26 through March 30; appointments required and can be made by calling (618) 274-1373 ext. 106.
• Fairview Heights Community Center – February 6 & 20, March 6, 13, & 20, April 3 & 10 2:00 pm-6:00 pm; appointments required and can be made by calling (618) 363-1721.
• Cornerstone Christian Church – Saturdays 9:00 am-12:00 pm, starting February 4 through April 8; appointments required and can be made online at www.onecornerstone.org/events.

Last year, United Way’s tax coalition partnership filed more than 17,000 tax returns in the St. Louis region, helping local low- and middle-income families receive more than $21 million in tax refunds. 620 IRS-certified volunteers contributed over 41,000 hours to provide free tax preparation services for people across the region. United Way’s tax coalition partners include Metro – St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Gateway EITC Community Coalition, National Association of Black Accountants – St. Louis Chapter, and St. Louis Tax Assistance Program.   

Lewis and Clark Events Calendar

• 1/31-4/15 – Alton Area Tax Project: 5-7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, lower level, Templin Nursing Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. Appointments required. Visit www.AltonAreaTaxProject.com/appointment or call (314) 292-9579.
• 2/6 – KLOU/iHeart Radio Blood Drive: 8 a.m., LeClaire Room, N.O. Nelson Campus, 600 Troy Rd., Edwardsville. (618) 468-5500,
• 2/7 – Black History Month Event, George Brock Jr. Band: 11:30 a.m., The Commons, McPike Math and Science Complex, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6400.
• 2/8 – Trailblazers Men’s Basketball vs. Three Rivers: 7 p.m., George C. Terry River Bend Arena, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6290.
• 2/9 – Black History Month Event, Criminal Justice Presentation: 11 a.m., Ann Whitney Olin Theatre, Hatheway Cultural Center, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6400.
• 2/15 – Trailblazers Men’s Basketball vs. Wabash Valley: 7:30 p.m., George C. Terry River Bend Arena, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6290.
• 2/16 – Black History Month, Underground Railroad Tour: 1 p.m., departing from L&C Campus Safety Office, north entrance, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. Reservations required. (618) 468-6400.
• 2/17 – Black History Month, Red Cross Blood Drive: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., The Commons, McPike Math and Science Complex, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. Schedule an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org.
• 2/20 – Black History Month, Public Speaking Presentation with IAM Wealth Builders President Monica Boyd: 11 a.m., Ann Whitney Olin Theatre, Hatheway Cultural Center, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6400.
• 2/21 – Fat Tuesday Concert featuring the You Can’t Beat Experience Jazz Band with special guest violinist Polly Launay: 6:30 p.m., Ahlemeyer Atrium, Trimpe 141, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-4731.
• 2/22 – Brown Bag Event, Silver Material, featuring Wyatt Heflin, Will Marsh and Johan Claussen performing acoustic rock: 12:30 p.m., Ringhausen Music Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-4731.
• 2/25 – Trailblazers Men’s Basketball vs. Olney: 3 p.m., George C. Terry River Bend Arena, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6290.
• 2/26 – An Afternoon of Spanish Dance, Delight and Desperation, featuring the Alton Symphony Orchestra: 3 p.m., Ann Whitney Olin Theatre, Hatheway Cultural Center, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-4731.
• 2/27 – Black History Month, SIUE Black Theatre Workshop: 11 a.m., Ahlemeyer Atrium, Trimpe 141, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. (618) 468-6400.