Tax season is in full swing, and The American Association of Retired Persons, Internal Revenue Service, and California Franchise Tax Board are offering free tax assistance to middle and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and better. Appointments are available starting February 1, at various locations throughout El Dorado County, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the Tax-Aide program, call 530-621-4049.

Sierra Wildlife Rescue will hold a “Wound Care and Medications” for birds class on February 6, from 10 a.m. to noon, and “Introduction to Local Wildlife” from 1 to 3 p.m. Go to sierrawildliferescue.com for details.

Ever dream about working on a theater set? Imagination Theater is offering a free “Kids’ Tool Workshop” for children 11 and up. Learn how to safely use hand tools, small power tools, and how to plan theater construction and props projects; February 8, from 6:30-9 p.m. and February 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 530-642-0404 to reserve your spot!

El Dorado County’s Senior Legal Services is providing free community training on the topic: “Options for Seniors Facing Foreclosure” on February 16, from 1-2 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center. Call 530-621-6154 for more information.

Connect with other caregivers facing the same difficult challenges with the free Caregiver Support Group, which meets February 9, from 3-4 p.m. at Georgetown Fire Station #61, 6283 Main Street. Contact the Family Caregiver Support Program with questions at 530-621-6251.

The American River Conservancy will host a lecture series entitled “Placerville Paths – Trails Along the South Fork,” on February 19, from 6:30-8 p.m. in Coloma. Email [email protected] for more information.

The Gold Country Woodworkers meet every second Tuesday of the month in the recreation hall at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Shingle Springs, at 7 p.m. Call 916-933-0488 for details.

Hanging By a Thread, the local chapter of the Embroiders’ Guild of America, Inc., meets each second Monday of the month and invites stitchers of all levels and ability. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Room in the El Dorado County Government Center in Placerville.

Want to learn to square dance? The Main Street Strollers host lessons every Thursday from 7-9:30 p.m. at IOOF Hall, 467 Main Street, Placerville. Call 530-642-9685 for more information.

Congratulations are in order for Captain Edward Phillip Akin of Gold Hill. The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Captain Akin with the “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award,” an award that recognizes pilots with 50 years of flight safety, professionalism, and aviation expertise. Captain Akin has flown for 57 years and logged over 22,000 hours in the air!

Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode is in need of volunteers and donations of cat litter, food, and funds to aide in the growing number of homeless felines. To help or for more information, call 530-642-2287

That’s all for now but see What’s Up next month in our annual Food & Drink feature issue!

Send your news to: [email protected].